Community Activities in Alabama
Alabama Recruitment and Community Activities 2025
Christmas Holiday Bags
In December 2025, a total of 40 holiday bags, which included food items to promote a balanced diet and essential items such as hats, gloves, and personal hygiene supplies, were delivered to community members.
Vegetable Donation
In Fall 2025, the Alabama Core provided healthy eating tips and recipes to community members. Turnips and collards were sponsored by a local farmer free of charge to be shared with community members.
Selma Dallas County Public Library
On August 27, the Alabama Core of the RURAL Study participated in the Selma pop-up wellness event at the Selma Dallas County Public Library, where the team provided no cost wellness screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI checks, to 18 attendees.
Wellness Fair in Selma, Alabama
The Alabama Core of the RURAL Study participated in a Wellness Fair hosted by UAB Live HealthSmart Alabama on August 2nd, joining Vaughan Regional Medical Center, Queen City Women’s Health, the City of Selma, and other partners to share school supplies, LHSA t-shirts, and wellness resources with the community. Over 150 backpacks filled with tools to help students start the school year strong were distributed by community partners. The Alabama Core expressed pride in being part of such a supportive community.
Community Advisory Meeting
The Alabama Core held a Community Advisory Meeting in Camden, Alabama. This meeting was hosted at J. Paul Jones Hospital, which is part of UAB’s Health System.
New Hope Apostolic Church
The Alabama Core of the RURAL Study was excited to connect with New Hope Apostolic Church in Selma, where the team provided 14 attendees with important health numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, helping them take a step toward better health. Thanks were extended to Bishop Joe Brown for welcoming the team.
Mount Ararat Baptist Church
The Alabama Core of the RURAL Study recently hosted a wellness event at Mount Ararat Baptist Church, providing health screenings to nine attendees. Special thanks were extended to Pastor Craig Scott for his continued support.
New Sister Springs Missionary Baptist Church
The Alabama Core of the RURAL Study recently visited New Sister Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Selma for a wellness event. The team provided no-cost wellness screenings to 12 community members including Pastor Karl Lewis. Pastor Lewis encouraged his congregation to attend, and the Alabama Core expressed appreciation for his continued support in making good health simple in Selma.
Big Ten’s “Big Life Series”
On July 19th, the Alabama Core supported the Big Ten’s “Big Life Series” by providing a hydration station with popsicles and water to student-athletes.
Community Health Fair at Greater Kingdom Citadel
On July 10th, the Alabama Core contributed to the Community Health Fair at Greater Kingdom Citadel in Dallas County by providing diabetes education and prevention resources, along with blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
Edmundite Missions Comprehensive Health Screenings
Mt. Zion Primitive Church
The Alabama Core continued its outreach with comprehensive health screenings at Mt. Zion Primitive Church on June 12th.
Selma University’s Community-Wide Health Event
The Alabama Core attended Selma University’s community-wide health event on June 11th, where the Heart of Alabama Food Bank distributed food boxes and numerous state and local agencies offered services.
Health Fair in Dallas County
On June 7th, a health fair was held in Dallas County featuring diabetes education and blood pressure screenings for community members. Attendees also received RURAL swag and valuable health information, promoting wellness and awareness across the region.
City Blocks Wellness Center’s Annual Community Wellness Fair
On May 31st, the Alabama Core joined the City Blocks Wellness Center’s Annual Community Wellness Fair, where they provided diabetes education and prevention resources, along with blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
JE Hobb Elementary School Meet and Greet Event
Ms. Vennetta Lasiter, principal of JE Hobb Elementary in the Wilcox School District, welcomed parents and teachers to a vibrant 3-day meet and greet event. Attendees received essential school supplies and exclusive RURAL swag, setting a positive tone for the upcoming school year and strengthening the school-community connection.
Heath Fair at ABC Elementary School
ABC Elementary School in Wilcox County, Alabama, hosted a health fair aimed at improving health outcomes for children and families. During the event, CAB member Ms. Gainer was presented with RURAL basketballs to support the school’s after-school enrichment program. Health information and updates on the RURAL Study were also shared with attendees.
Wilcox County Family Summit
The Alabama Core team of the RURAL Study participated in the 16th Annual Wilcox County Children’s Policy Council Family Summit on April 16, 2025. During the event, attendees received important health information and participated in various health screenings.
Health Fair in Dallas County
Shelicia Morton-Ford, State PI of the Alabama Core, along with Ethel Johnson and CAB members, continued to actively support communities in Dallas County through collaboration with various local organizations. At a recent health fair, participants received vital health information, a variety of health screenings and referrals, as well as on-site health counseling from attending physicians.
Health Fair hosted by Senator Robert Stewart and Senator Prince Chestnut
The Alabama Core attended a health fair that was hosted by Senators Robert Stewart and Prince Chestnut. At this health fair, they honored nurses who provided care during the Civil Rights Movement. The event featured blood pressure screenings, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and CPR demonstrations. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris actively participated in practicing CPR. Both the senators and Dr. Harris emphasized the importance of organizing more health events to address the pressing health issues affecting Alabamians.
Wellness Village for the 60th Selma, Montgomery Voting Rights March
The Alabama Core participated in the Wellness Village during the 60th Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, offering blood pressure screenings, weight and BMI assessments, and distributing health literature to promote wellness and the RURAL Study.
Wellness Village Block Party at Selma University
The Alabama core attended a Health Fair Block Party hosted by Selma University, led by President and CAB member Dr. Stanford Angion. The event drew over 100 attendees and featured more than 30 vendors representing various fields, including health, education, finance, career development, and nutrition resources. To promote physical activity, participants engaged in a game of cornhole, while health literature and blood pressure screenings were also provided to support overall wellness.
Quarterly CAB Meeting
The Alabama Core hosted its quarterly CAB meeting, where Larissa Benjamin, a Doctor of Public Health candidate at UC Berkeley, presented her study, “Interviewing Rural Community Leaders about Neighborhoods and Health.” During the meeting, members discussed the study plans and provided feedback on the interview guide, flyers, and recruitment strategies. A total of 10 members were in attendance, contributing valuable insights to refine the research approach.
Day of Action in Selma
WSFA 12 News partnered with local agencies and nonprofits for a “Day of Action” event to support residents in the Selma area, which was hosted in the Wallace Community College-Selma gymnasium. WSFA 12 News created the “Day of Action,” which is a series of community resource fairs. There was an overwhelming turnout with dozens of agencies, organizations, and state groups to offer a hand and resources. There was health, education, finance, career, homeownership, nutrition resources, and more! Hundreds of community members attended!
Completion of Community Pond and Park in Dallas County
The long-awaited completion of community improvements at the East Selma Community Pond and Park became a reality earlier this year, marking a major step forward in rebuilding and strengthening the area. For years, this cherished space served as a gathering place for residents, offering a peaceful environment for recreation and connection. However, in 2023, a powerful tornado caused significant damage to the park’s structures, forcing city officials to close it. Following extensive restoration efforts, the park was officially reopened to the public, providing a revitalized space that supports both quality of life and public health.
To celebrate this milestone, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 31 at 10:30 a.m., with attendees including representatives from the Alabama Corps of Engineers, U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (AL-07), CAB Member Pastor Meredith Jackson, and University of Alabama at Birmingham President Dr. Ray L. Watts. “These improvements contribute significantly to better community health and quality of life,” said Dr. Watts. Congresswoman Sewell echoed his sentiments, highlighting the strength and unity of the local community: “If we don’t band together as a people, we perish as a people,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of the East Selma community.”
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments, please call us at 1-888-RURALST (1- 888-787-2578) or email us at RURALstudy@uab.edu