In this episode of Envision.Accelerate.Excel, host Karen Stanley sits down with Tommie Batts, a Huntsville native and lifelong member of First Baptist Church, to uncover the powerful legacy of Huntsville’s Black business community.

Tommie reflects on his family’s history, including his uncle Hundley Batts Sr., and the visionary partnership of Thornton Stanley, Hundley Batts Sr., and Columbus Sanders, who came together in 1974 to build the Downtown Office Plaza—a milestone in Huntsville’s Black entrepreneurial history.

Listeners will also hear vivid stories of Church Street in the 1950s–70s, the role of Alabama A&M University, Huntsville’s civil rights journey, and the lessons of resilience, vision, and determination that laid the foundation for today’s thriving community.

⏱️ SEO Topics Covered with Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction: Karen Stanley introduces Season 3’s historical focus.

• 00:39 – Meet Tommie Batts: Family roots and community ties in Huntsville.

• 02:05 – Migration to Huntsville: Early years and family history.

• 04:23 – Breaking Barriers: Uncle Porter Batts opens the first Black-owned Texaco franchise in Huntsville.

• 08:26 – Entrepreneurial Beginnings: Hundley Batts Sr.’s journey from selling papers to launching an insurance agency.

• 09:48 – Visionaries of the Downtown Office Plaza: Partnership of Thornton Stanley, Hundley Batts Sr., and Columbus Sanders (1974).

• 14:27 – Financing Black Businesses: How partnerships and associations fueled growth.

• 17:24 – Alabama A&M’s Impact: Education and economic development in Huntsville.

• 18:45 – Civil Rights in Huntsville: Nonviolent protests, sit-ins, and unique city dynamics.

• 20:09 – Life on Church Street: Black-owned businesses, churches, and community hubs.

• 25:27 – Segregated Education at Council High: Challenges and the role of dedicated teachers.

• 35:42 – Legacy of Black Entrepreneurs: How vision, persistence, and partnerships changed Huntsville.

• 43:40 – Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs: Pairing vision with strategy and technical expertise.

• 44:30 – Closing Reflections: Honoring the trio—Stanley, Batts Sr., and Sanders—and their lasting vision.

Tommie Batts, is an Entrepreneur, and Local of Huntsville, Alabama (Born in Toney, Alabama) , and lifelong member of First Baptist Church.

In this inspiring kickoff to Season 3 of the Envision.Accelerate.Excel podcast, host Karen Stanley sits down with Mrs. Marjorie McCauley Battle, retired Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences at Alabama A&M University. Together, they take a deep dive into the rich history of Huntsville’s Church Street in the 1950s, the legacy of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Alabama A&M, and the role of parenting, education, and community in shaping generational excellence. 

Mrs. Battle shares powerful personal stories of segregation, community resilience, and the visionaries who built Huntsville’s Black business district, churches, and schools. She reflects on her own journey from Council High School graduate to Alabama A&M professor, emphasizing the importance of faith, vision, parenting, and education in achieving success across generations. 

Whether you’re passionate about Black history, Huntsville’s legacy, higher education, or personal growth, this episode offers invaluable insights on how vision and perseverance can create lasting community impact. 

SEO Topics Covered 

• History of Church Street, Huntsville (1950s Black business district) 

• Segregation and community resilience in Alabama 

• Legacy of William Hooper Council – founder of Alabama A&M & Council High School 

• Evolution of Alabama A&M University (150 years of impact) 

• Importance of HBCUs in shaping economic and educational opportunities 

• Role of parenting in fostering excellence 

• Community displacement, land ownership & Huntsville’s growth 

• Generational vision: from ancestors’ dreams to modern opportunities 

Timestamps & Key Topics 

• 00:00 | Host Karen Stanley introduces Season 3’s theme: honoring ancestors’ visions and the legacy of Huntsville’s elders. 

• 02:13 | Mrs. Battle recalls the thriving Church Street of the 1950s—businesses, theaters, churches, and community hubs. 

• 04:20 | Segregation realities in Alabama and the Black-only theater experience on Church Street. 

• 07:11 | Churches on Church Street, baptisms at Big Spring, and community life in segregated Huntsville. 

• 10:00 | Entertainment, the Chicken Shack, skating rinks, and big-name performers like James Brown visiting Huntsville. 

• 12:43 | Founding of Alabama A&M and Council High School by William Hooper Council. 

• 15:30 | Education opportunities, integration, and the eventual closure of Council High. 

• 19:00 | Personal journey: Mrs. Battle’s education at A&M, commuting challenges, and being the first in her family to earn a college degree. 

• 23:00 | Huntsville’s growth, HBCU contributions, and a thriving Black professional class (doctors, dentists, educators). 

• 26:10 | Vision, goal-setting, and faith—how Mrs. Battle stayed true to her purpose despite obstacles. 

• 30:00 | Land displacement, Black property rights, and Huntsville’s expansion into historically Black neighborhoods. 

• 34:20 | Parenting as the foundation of excellence—accountability, involvement, and legacy building. 

• 38:00 | Closing reflections on Huntsville’s progress, the sesquicentennial of Alabama A&M, and Mrs. Battle’s ongoing passion for education and family. 

Mrs. Marjorie McCauley Battle, retired Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences at Alabama A&M University.

Key Success Factors Consulting presents SEASON 3 of the podcast Envision-Accelerate-EXCEL with Karen Stanley! Episodes S3E1 and S3E2 are dropping soon!!!! My first two guests are MARJORIE BATTLE AND TOMMIE BATTS, both graduates of th illustrious, 150 yrs and counting, Alabama A&M University. We are disussing the Vision of our predecessors, the acceleration and advancement of their mission, and the continuing pursuit of excellence.

In this episode, Karen sits with fellow Harvard alum Lillian Lincoln Lambert, the first African American woman to graduate from Harvard Business School and earn a Harvard MBA. She also was co-founder of the African American Student. During their discussion, Lillian shares what motivated her to move from the family farm in Virginia and her dreams of becoming a secretary in New York City. After moving, she reflects on facing the harsh reality of job opportunities as an inexperienced African American woman. She then chose to move to DC and attend Howard University. Lillian addresses the challenges she faced in getting into Harvard and the obstacles she overcame in the workforce after earning her degree and starting her first business.

Lillian Lincoln Lambert was the first African American woman graduate of Harvard Business School and co-founder of the African American Student Union (AASU).

Yemi Oluseun is founder of the ChangeHive, and recently won the Young Transatlantic Innovators Leadership Initiative pitch competition form a field of 47 global companies.  A Nigerian-British citizen, Yemi helps fintech and financial services businesses to propel lead conversion and customer retention.  

In this episode, Yemi shares her lessons learned on using technology and transferable skills to move from employee  to consultant to entrepreneur.  

Karen Stanley, MS, MBA

Managing Partner

Key Success Factors Consulting

Please visit our website at

⁠KSFConsulting.net⁠

In this Episode Karen is joined by Alois Blackwell, Principal and Senior Consultant at Athletic Shift Consultings. Prior to his career, Alois Blackwell,  was a former professional football player who was a running back in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs.

Karen Stanley, MS, MBA

Managing Partner

Key Success Factors Consulting

Please visit our website at

⁠KSFConsulting.net⁠

In this episode, Karen is joined by Craig Robinson, a fellow Harvard Business School Alum who is a Board Director and Advisor for Multiple commercial real estate, professional services, and technology companies. This episode takes us through the various paths on his journey.

Karen Stanley, MS, MBA

Managing Partner

Key Success Factors Consulting

Please visit our website at

⁠KSFConsulting.net⁠