Meet Patricia Bell, a candidate for mayor of Birmingham

She’s a lifelong educator, community activist and the only woman who has declared her intention to run. Who is Patricia Bell?

She was one of the candidates who attended the mayor’s forum last month, and if you missed it, don’t fret. Check out my post on it. You can watch the forum in its entirety via a link in the post. All of the candidates used their time to speak about issues affecting Birmingham and to answer questions from the audience.

You can also get to know Bell via her Facebook  campaign page or you can email her at votepatriciabell2017@gmail.com.

Other Candidates Running

Carlos Chaverst, Randy Davis, Philemon Hill, Brother Sims, Randall Woodfin and Chris Woods are also running for mayor. Bham Now has  interviewed Davis, Hill, Woodfin and Woods. We look forward to interviewing Chaverst and Sims as soon as possible.

Accordingly, for an updated list of all the candidates running for mayor and city council, please check out this post.

I am still reaching out to those interested in running for mayor and city council. If you’d like to get in touch with me about an interview that features a mayoral or city council candidate, please message @bhamnow on Facebook.

Although the Jefferson County Election Commission has until June 23 to officially call the upcoming Birmingham municipal election set for August 22, potential candidates are already blazing their own campaign trails.

Bham Now Interview

When did you officially announce your candidacy and where/how did you do it?

“The official announcement of my candidacy  happened on April 14, 2017, in the Civil Rights District, on the sidewalk of sixteenth street north, between Kelly Ingram Park and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.”

Why do you want to run for mayor of Birmingham?

“My decision to run for mayor is centered around the need for better political representation that includes the improved being of the city’s total population and not just a select few. I believe the disproportion of wealth in our city creates the hostile environment that is often reported in the news. More plans must be implemented in order to lessen the divide between those who have and those who don’t.”

What is your background, education and experience?

“I presently operate as an independent promotions consultant, community activist, vocalist and presenter on topics within my field of experience, such as early childhood education, vocal music in religious and secular settings, political engagement and its relation to community improvements, charm, modeling and personality enhancement for career advancement and educational, religious, political marketing and public relation strategies.

“I worked with Dr. Richard Arrington during his 1979 mayoral campaign, as well as Rev. Jesse Jackson’s historic bid for United States Office of President in 1984. I became the first female in the history of Birmingham Alabama to place my name on the ballot for the office of mayor in 1995.

“I began my early childhood education teaching career in 2000 and continued through 2011 as a classroom teacher and private tutor.”

What are the top three issues Birmingham is facing as a community, and how do you intend to address them?

“Economic inequality, education and crime reduction are the areas of concern with urgent need for improvement. Economic ownership and community incubators will be necessary if we want to convince citizens that we feel their pain and desperation for economic improvements.

Education in Birmingham must meet the needs of the citizens. Education cannot meet the identity crisis if the curriculum does not provide adequate lessons to promote identity awareness. I will form a mayor’s education panel to monitor every dime spent and the results gained from education expenditures.”