UA’s Selma Resilience Initiative serves the historic city of Selma. Here is how the Capstone is driving economic recovery in Alabama’s Black Belt region.
1. It leverages UA’s community.
The Selma Resilience Initiative, or SRI, is a community-driven learning initiative housed in The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. It serves Selma, Alabama, and the surrounding Black Belt region and works collaboratively with students and faculty across the University on service projects to benefit Selma. The Selma Roots family store, for instance, was made possible by a collaboration between Culverhouse and the College of Human Environmental Sciences.
2. It matters because Selma matters.
What happens in Selma affects the entire Black Belt region. Three of the four main lines of transportation run through Selma: water, with the Alabama river, one of the most biodiverse in the Southeast; rail, with freight service continuing through the city; and air, with the Craig Field airport. And now, plans are in the works to add an interstate.
3. It is led by a native.
A Selma native, SRI Community Outreach Coordinator Preston McGee began leading the initiative after completing his MBA at UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business. McGee sees the beauty and potential of Selma, and urges everyone to visit the city for themselves, spend some time in the historic downtown area, visit churches and museums and enjoy local restaurants.
4. It collaborates for the good of Selma.
The Capstone is not the only Alabama university that is working with Selma. Other institutions like Auburn, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Alabama State University are also key players. Instead of competition, McGee sees opportunities for productive collaboration, where each institution plays to its strengths to help provide the best possible outcomes for Selma. “How can we all benefit?” McGee asked.
5. It creates a ripple effect.
Selma Resilience Initiative works to develop a consistent presence in Selma, in part, through service projects like the ripple trips. During these visits, UA students, faculty, and staff engage in hands-on projects to beautify the city, like planting trees or cleaning up outdoor spaces, or support community projects, as well as meet with community members and see the sights in downtown Selma. The entire UA community is invited to come, serve and catch a vision for the future of Selma. The next trip is Nov. 7.