Black Professionals in Alabama

Born from the Civil Rights Movement's historic epicenter, the Magic City Bar Association represents a powerful legacy of determination and professional achievement in Birmingham, Alabama. Nine visionary African-American attorneys established the organization in November 1984, building upon decades of struggle for equal representation in the legal profession. The organization traces its roots to the 1960s, when fewer than 25 Black attorneys practiced in Alabama and faced exclusion from established bar associations. The Charles Hamilton Houston Legal Study Club, named after the Father of Civil Rights Law, provided early mentorship and collaboration among Birmingham's pioneering Black attorneys. When a new generation of lawyers recognized the continued need for professional connection and mutual support in the 1980s, they founded the Magic City Bar Association to serve the common good. Today, the organization stands as a testament to the courage and fortitude of its founders, continuing their mission to promote professional advancement of minority attorneys, foster economic improvement, protect civil and political rights, and uphold legal profession integrity. The Magic City Bar Association has evolved into an instrument for positive change, with members serving as judges, city officials, and community leaders throughout Birmingham and beyond. Through the establishment of the Magic City Bar Foundation and ongoing community programs, the organization honors its heritage while building futures for the next generation of legal professionals. The Magic City Bar Association embodies the transformative power of community, professional solidarity, and unwavering commitment to justice in Birmingham, Alabama.

Since its establishment in 1971, the Alabama Lawyers Association has served as a cornerstone organization for the legal community in Montgomery, Alabama, with a profound commitment to addressing historical inequities within the justice system. Originally founded as the Alabama Black Lawyers Association, the organization recognized that certain segments of the population have been historically unrepresented or underrepresented in legal representation and advocacy. The organization's founding members, including notable figures such as Justice Oscar W. Adams Jr., Judge U.W. Clemon, and others, established a legacy of social justice that continues to guide the organization's mission today. The Alabama Lawyers Association's purpose remains centered on three core pillars: encouraging the study of law, providing support and networking services to enhance legal counsel effectiveness, and protecting the civil and political rights of all citizens. Operating from Montgomery, the organization represents a unique community of legal professionals united by shared values of justice, equity, and service. The association's work reflects a deep understanding that justice, while theoretically blind, requires active protection and advocacy to be administered fairly. By bringing together lawyers committed to these principles, the Alabama Lawyers Association continues to advance meaningful change within Alabama's legal system and broader society.

The Penny Foundation is community-ownership, legacy giving, designated funds and smart communities. We are a Birmingham, Alabama-based, 501(c)(3) community chest working to eliminate economic inequality in the Black community. The Foundation connects people, organizations, and resources in the areas of family, community, and economic development. We implement initiatives through the lens of technology and innovation. Through an assets-based approach and identity-based giving, The Penny Foundation provides access to impactful giving at every level and respects the community’s history of generosity. We serve as a philanthropic vehicle for people to focus their resources in the Black community. The Foundation successfully carries out its mission through developing grants, programs and donor advised funds. We accomplish our mission through grantmaking, programming and donor advised funds. Our programs, funds and grants are informed by a staff, board of directors and volunteers who have an intimate understanding of the community’s history, culture, politics and population. We serve as a philanthropic vehicle for people to focus their resources in the Black community.