Forged in Iron, Built by Hand

The entire community is invited to a FREE panel discussion event on Black labor’s role in building Birmingham. Forged in Iron, Built by Hand will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00–8:00PM in the Sloss Visitor Center West Room at 20 32nd Street North, across from Back Forty Beer Company. This event will feature three panelists who will answer questions about the role Black labor had in building the city, their experience working in Birmingham in the late 1800s through the 1960s, and how we can better tell their story.

The three panelists are T. Marie King, Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominated Producer; Barry McNealy, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; and Joshua Jenkins, Mississippi and Alabama Field Representative with the National Parks Conservation Association. They will provide their expertise throughout the discussion, and answer questions from the audience at the end.

“Labor Day has its roots in celebrating American labor, and here at Sloss we tell the story of Birmingham labor every day.” said Ty Malugani, Deputy Director. “This

event is specifically designed to focus on the story of Birmingham’s Black labor which averaged 75% of Birmingham’s industrial labor. It’s a critical part of both Birmingham’s labor story and the story of the city as a whole.”

This event is a great way to learn more about, and celebrate, the important story of Black labor in the context of building Birmingham. It will also have discussion on the best ways to tell this story and continue the legacy Black labor created in our city.

Light refreshments will be provided at this event.