Council President Alexander and Councilor O’Quinn appointed to prominent committee positions with the National League of Cities
Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander and Councilor Darrell O’Quinn have been appointed to national committee positions with the National League of Cities. While serving in these roles, Alexander and O’Quinn will help guide policy priorities and legislative efforts in their respective areas of focus.
Alexander will serve a one-year term on the Human Development Federal Advocacy Committee, which covers issues involving social services, childhood learning, income support, employment, workforce development, and more.
In November, Alexander was elected to serve as the NLC’s Regional Director for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. At home, Alexander has spearheaded efforts to increase workforce development opportunities for residents. 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.”
Councilor Darrell O’Quinn was appointed to a one-year term on the NLC’s Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee. In November, O’Quinn was also elected to serve on the NLC’s Board of Directors.
Since first being elected to the Birmingham City Council, O’Quinn has guided legislation focused on updating and modernizing the city’s public transportation landscape. Some notable legislative achievements include his work to bring the VIA On-Demand rideshare program to Birmingham residents, modernized paid street parking, interstate lighting improvements and the development and implementation of Birmingham’s new Bus Rapid Transit system.
“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,” Councilor O’Quinn said. “As part of my role on the TIS Committee, 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.”
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.
