Son of Birmingham - by Randall Woodfin & Edward T Bowser (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Today's Birmingham--led by Mayor Randall Woodfin--is a phoenix rising from the ashes of systemic racism and white flight.

This first Southern city to pluck the feathers off Jim Crow, where peaceful protesters endured attacks by police dogs, where high-pressure water hoses tore at the flesh of men and women marching for their rights, and where children locked arms and sang "We Shall Overcome," is a living, breathing redemption story.

In Son of Birmingham, Woodfin draws upon the street wisdom of his generation's Southern rap music; the power of family, friends, and faith; and his education at the historically Black Morehouse College to preach the progress every corner of our nation clamors for right now. He walks readers through the streets of his Birmingham, bringing to light the daily joys and struggles of everyday people and revealing what spurred him to turn his education and Capitol Hill experience to the city of his youth.

A moving memoir of a young leader's perseverance in a city still battling racism and gun violence, which Woodfin experienced first-hand, Son of Birmingham is also a call-to-action across America--an appeal to Woodfin's unique brand of servant leadership and responsive government for equitable, inclusive, and prosperous cities where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Review Quotes

"Son of Birmingham isn't just the story of Mayor Randall Woodfin, it's the story of a city in the midst of evolution... rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, and, [now] become a modern-day model for making a fairer and more just society."
--Maryland Governor Wes Moore, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

"Being from the South, I know the power of legacy and tradition. Mayor Randall Woodfin embodies that. He's taken on challenges that many shy away from, pushing Birmingham toward a brighter future with grit and style. Seeing someone like Randall step up for the community is what keeps the South's spirit alive--he's not just about talk, he's about change. Son of Birmingham is a love letter to Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, and I'm honored that Mayor Woodfin accredits such significant inspiration to Outkast."
--Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, Grammy-winning member of Outkast

"The compelling story of one of our nation's most captivating young political leaders. A voice from the 'new new South, ' Woodfin's election as mayor of Birmingham heralded a transformation in the story of the region. In this book, with deep insight, integrity, and incisive prose, he speaks to the challenges of 21st century America and offers a clear-eyed assessment of how we must step into our collective future."
--Dr. Imani Perry, National Book Award Winner and New York Times bestselling author of South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation

"Grit and hard work are leadership traits that pay off no matter the field of play."
--Nick Saban, 6-time NCAA Football Champion head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide

"Randall Woodfin has given us a moving memoir and a path toward racial justice and opportunity that runs through the people of the South. We are all sons and daughters of Birmingham."
--Amy Liu, former president of Brookings and co-founder of Brookings Metro

"If ever there is a future... for the state of Alabama to overcome the ghosts of its past and meet its true potential, then there has to be a precise dissection of its problems to find solutions. Randall Woodfin remains one of Alabama's most important societal surgeons."
--Roy Wood Jr., journalist, comedian, former correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, current host of CNN's Have I Got News for You, host of the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner

"One word comes to mind--authentic. Randall Woodfin has never sacrificed his core beliefs; and his intense love of music, community, and the people of Birmingham is what makes him a visionary leader."
--Bakari Sellers, New York Times bestselling author of My Vanishing Country and The Moment

"In Son of Birmingham, you will get to know a shining example of [Randall Woodfin's] leadership and the forces that influenced him--from family trauma to family love, from the Black Church to hip-hop, and from peaceful protest to destructive unrest. I am a true believer in the power of hope and his story fills my heart with hope."
--Medaria Arradondo, former Minneapolis Police Chief and author of Chief Rondo: Securing Justice for the Murder of George Floyd

"Woodfin tells Birmingham's story of victory and redemption by combining modern hope with the wisdom of generations before him. He reminds us that culture and joy need not be lost in the pursuit of justice, and he challenges us all to eradicate the sin of poverty--one resilient city at a time. America needs this new generation of servant leader."
--Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, winner of the First Annual Heinz Award in the Human Condition, author of Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence

About the Author

Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years at Morehouse College has lived in Birmingham ever since. He worked at City Hall (in jobs for the mayor and the city council) and for the Jefferson County Committee on Economic Opportunity, attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and, after obtaining his law degree, accepted a job in the City of Birmingham Law Department. Outside of his job as an assistant city attorney, he sharpened his skills as a political organizer, working on campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. After serving on the Birmingham Board of Education, he ran for mayor, won an upset victory, and is serving his second term in office. He was featured speaker at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Edward T. Bowser is an award-winning journalist, founder of Soul In Stereo, and deputy director of communications for the City of Birmingham Mayor's Office, where he helps shape the city's voice and vision.