REVIVE A CITY
One experience. One community. One event can spark a change. We were witness to that this past week at REVIVE, a revitalization initiative launched by REV Birmingham. Pop-up shops, from doughnuts to dancing, took over a once decrepit downtown avenue. A lighting of the Lyric, a once segregated theatre that was brought back to life 50 years forward.
These and other seemingly simple accomplishments to some, were in fact, incredibly historical for a city known as a hotbed of civil unrest and a profuse division of economic demographics. It wasn't just about diversity. It wasn't just about economic development. It wasn't declaring we've moved past the past. It was a effort to promote what could be. A great effort that took people from all backgrounds to accomplish. There's just something about seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of the diverse population of Birmingham cheering the Lyric Theatre light up. You get the goosebumps. You feel the energy. You want what everybody hopes for in that moment. And that hope is different for each person, yet it's somehow the same.
*Ci was fortunate to be asked to provide the technology and social promotion for REVIVE, a 5 week initiative to promote different district in Birmingham.