SHK-8 Bulldog Talk: On the Edge

Imagine waking up to the sound of water gushing through your house. You leap from your bed and your feet plunge into a river of water that has overtaken your home along with others in your neighborhood. 

That was the reality for Ensley resident Douglass D. Rice, Sr. and his family in 1995 as Hurricane Opal ushered in a deluge of water from nearby Village Creek. Most of that low-lying part of Ensley would eventually be bought out with dollars from a cooperative effort between the City of Birmingham and federal agencies following decades of mass flooding and residents like Rice repeatedly having to evacuate their homes, lose all of their worldly possessions, and rebuild their homes and lives.

Join our student hosts as they sit down with professional comedian and actor Marvin Lee!

Born and raised right here in the Birmingham area—hailing from Pleasant Grove and Dolomite—Marvin is a proud UAB alumnus who turned a chance encounter at a career day into a global comedy career. From modeling and marketing to traveling the world making people laugh, Marvin joins us to share his journey from Alabama to Atlanta and what it takes to make it in the spotlight.

Don't miss this conversation about following your dreams, the power of a great performance, and why you should never lose your Birmingham roots!

In this week’s episode, the students of Bulldog Talk sit down for a candid conversation with Synithia Flowers, a Human Science Regional Extension Agent II. As a specialist in community health and wellness, Synithia brings her expertise directly to our middle schoolers to tackle a rising concern: vaping.

SynIthia Flowers

In honor of Earth Day, SHK8 middle schoolers sat down with Kenneth Reese III, a dedicated 4-H extension agent, to explore how the next generation of "Bulldogs" is cultivating leadership through environmental stewardship and agricultural innovation. Tune in as we discuss his mission to "make the best better" and grow greatness right here in our community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the South Hampton K-8 middle schoolers  hosts a powerful conversation with Brittni Tucker, the Director of Information Technology for Birmingham City Schools. Marking her one-year anniversary in the role, Brittni discusses her journey as a woman leading in a male-dominated STEM field and her mission to close the digital divide for BCS students. The "Bulldogs" dive into her vision for innovation, the importance of representation in tech leadership, and what it takes to manage the digital heartbeat of an entire school district.

In this episode, we explore the story of the Ballard House Project and the amazing legacy of the Dr. Herschell Hamilton, who was a doctor here in Birmingham during the Civil Rights era. He was a hero on the front lines, providing medical care to people—including those who were hurt by police dogs during the protests.

His story isn’t just about the past; it’s about the courage and kindness that built the Birmingham we live in today. Join Dr. Majella and Mr. Herschell Hamilton as we learn how these stories shape our community and why we can never forget where we came from.

This episode is a program of BCS and is intended strictly for educational purposes only.

In this special Black History Month live broadcast, South Hampton scholars host a historic sit-down between two women linked by the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

Join our student hosts as they interview Lisa McNair, sister of victim Denise McNair, and Tammie Fields, whose father was implicated in the attack. In front of a live student audience, these two women share an incredible story of how they moved past a legacy of tragedy and hate to form a lasting friendship rooted in forgiveness.

Highlights:

Beyond the Textbooks: Personal memories of Denise McNair.

The Power of Choice: Tammie’s journey in rejecting her father’s legacy.

Live Q&A: South Hampton students ask how to build a better future for Birmingham.

"We can't have reconciliation without the truth." — Lisa McNair

Video Highlight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhLJXSyA0Io

In this powerful episode, South Hampton K-8 students interview local artist Carey Fountain about his "living memorials" and "The Black Cherry Tree Project"—planting trees to honor and remember figures from victims of racial violence.

The Bulldogs explore how art and nature serve as catalysts for healing, challenging the students to use their own voices to pursue truth and build a more equitable community. From the rhythm of Vibes & Virtues to the roots of a sapling, this conversation bridges the gap between honoring our heritage and growing our future.

Join the Bulldogs as they go "Beyond the Robe" to explore the intersection of local history and the future of justice in the Magic City. In this inspiring interview, Judge Patricia Stephens shares her journey from Birmingham’s roots to the bench, offering the next generation a "blueprint for excellence."

The students dive deep into the meaning of the Rule of Law, the weight of the gavel, and what it truly means to lead with equity and vision. This isn't just a history lesson; it's a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and the power of youth voices in the pursuit of justice.

To kick off our Black History Month series, the students of South Hampton K-8 sit down with Charles Mauldin, a foot soldier of the Civil Rights Movement.

In this premier interview, Mr. Mauldin shares his firsthand account of student leadership in Selma and the courage it took to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday. Join us for an unforgettable conversation on youth activism and the legacy of the fight for justice.

Episode Highlights:

Student Activism: Leading the movement in Selma as a young person.

Bloody Sunday: A firsthand witness to a turning point in history.

The Legacy: Lessons for today's students from a living giant.