AL.com Opinion

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(Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

What do you want Birmingham to look like in five years?

That question was posed to about a dozen young professionals Saturday at Good People Brewing Company. The answers were as diverse and the faces that sat at the table - answers that ranged from more programs for youth, more attention to ailing communities and a strong emphasis on career development.

The desire for a better Birmingham is already there. Young professionals are simply seeking more opportunities to tell their stories and to take action.

I was joined by fellow members of Alabama Media Group during an informal weekend chat with a few of Birmingham's most engaged citizens: Michael Hansen of health advocacy group GASP; writer Mandy Shunnarah; Ivette Thomas of AllAboutBham.com; Deonteé Gordon of web developer Chronicle Studio; Sherri Ross Walters of Birmingham Girls Club; Natalie Kelly, founder and publisher of My Green Birmingham and My Green Montgomery; Javacia Harris Bowser, founder of women's writing group See Jane Write; youth advocate T. Marie King and Brian Gunn of REV Birmingham.

Sitting across from Regions Field, literally in the shadow of its massive Birmingham sign, attendees quickly pointed out that the development and positive press enjoyed by areas like downtown, Crestwood and Avondale aren't being experienced elsewhere.

"There's growing inequality," Gordon said. "How do we balance downtown growth and resurgence when there is disparity in other parts of the city?"

King took that concept a bit further: "Where are the opportunities for youth in those neighborhoods? We need to see communities where young people have hope."

It's hard for some people to cheer new developments miles away at Railroad Park when they look outside their windows and see vacant houses overrun with weeds.

West End. Powderly. North Birmingham. Ensley. Gates City. East Lake. Their stories aren't being told enough.

Filling those gaps aren't the responsibility of solely local media outlets, nor the citizens themselves. It'll takes cooperation to provide a wholistic view of Birmingham.

The young professionals we met Saturday are up for the challenge. All they want is an opportunity and a platform to share their experiences.

They pushed to collaborate with AL.com to hold public forums in overlooked neighborhoods, taking conversations to the doorsteps of those residents. They suggested connecting with youngsters to give them a space to write on our site, telling their experiences from their point of view. They urged for more coverage of events, activities and people in neglected areas of town, spreading word of the progress and innovation there - and opening the door for greater understanding from those on the outside looking in.

They simply want a less segmented city and the chance to have their neighborhoods grow.

When the question was asked, "How do we measure success?" my answer was simple. I want the home page of AL.com and the front page of The Birmingham News to feature faces and activities as diverse as the hundreds of thousands who call this city home.

With Birmingham's young professionals leading the charge and Alabama Media Group providing the platform, that can happen. Collaboration and commitment can breed success.

And it won't take five years to accomplish that.

Updated 7-14-14 at 11:37 a.m. with photo gallery of participants.