Birmingham City Councilors reappointed to National League of Cities committee positions
Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn, Pro Tem Wardine Alexander and Councilor Crystal Smitherman have been reappointed to prominent committee positions with the National League of Cities. While serving in these roles, they will continue to help guide policy priorities and legislative efforts in their respective areas of focus.
President O’Quinn was re-elected to serve on the NLC’s Board of Directors, Pro Tem Alexander was re-elected as the NLC’s Regional Director for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and Councilor Smitherman is continuing in her role serving on the Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee with NLC.
“Over the course of each year, the National League of Cities brings thousands of elected officials from across the country together for a several weeks of intensive meetings and important conversations regarding municipal government practices,” President O’Quinn said. “As part of my role on the Board of Directors, we have to continue to tell Birmingham’s story to the world and show them what can be accomplished when communities come together to solve issues. I look forward to sharing some of what my colleagues and I on the Council have done to improve access to transportation to all our residents and how that can translate to other cities.”
Pro Tem Alexander has spearheaded efforts to increase workforce development opportunities for residents in District 7 and has contnued to advocate for this on a national stage. She was awarded the E Pluribus Unum (UNUM) Fellowship Grant to help create a workforce development pipeline between Lawson State Community College and Buffalo Rock that will provide specialized training to fill jobs in the area. Alexander has also focused on working with state legislators to pass key utilities legislation, including 5G infrastructure expansion.
“It is an honor to be able to represent Birmingham through an organization like the National League of Cities,” Alexander said. “My colleagues and I have been able to network with elected officials from all over the country and we’ve planned to implement some of the strategies we’ve discussed. During my time on this committee I’ll be working with legislators on ways to improve workforce development opportunities, holistic strategies to address issues surrounding homelessness and increasing broadband access for students across the country.”
As a member of the FAIR Committee, Pro Tem Smitherman will play a critical role in helping to develop a legislative plan for the year and uplifting local priorities to the federal level. As chair of the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, Pro Tem Smitherman will now also be working on federal policy priorities on financing, budget, census, federal guidance compliance issues and more.
The National League of Cities is a non-partisan organization comprised of thousands of elected officials from all over the country. Last November, Councilor Crystal N. Smitherman was elected to serve on the Women in Municipal Government Board of Directors. Having three of our City Councilors serving on leadership positions with this national organization is a huge win for the city of Birmingham.
