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Michael Gunn: Selling Birmingham to Conventions and Visitors

BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Michael Gunn, senior vice president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), said he has a job that keeps him young and on the move: selling the city of Birmingham. The 66-year-old said Birmingham is not what it used to be, and he enjoys talking about how the city has grown.

Published

6 years ago

October 28, 2019

Oakland Post

Michael Gunn (Photo by: birminghamtimes.com)

By Ameera Steward

Michael Gunn, senior vice president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), said he has a job that keeps him young and on the move: selling the city of Birmingham.

The 66-year-old said Birmingham is not what it used to be, and he enjoys talking about how the city has grown.

“If you ask a person born in the 1950s about Birmingham, the first thing that comes to mind is always going to be Civil Rights,” Gunn said. “If you ask a millennial, they’re going to [say], ‘Birmingham is a great place to come on the weekends. It has great bars, … great pubs, a lot of things to do.’ They have a whole different perspective of Birmingham because … everyone is working together in the city and for the betterment of the city.”

Gunn manages a staff of 15, all of whom spend about 48 weeks out of the year convincing conventions, sporting events, and people in general to visit the Magic City and spend the night—the Birmingham metro area has 16,000 hotel rooms, he said.

“When I would attend trade shows in the past, we’d set up a booth and tell people how great Birmingham was, … [and] typically people would shy away from [the city] mainly because of our history during the Civil Rights era. That’s all they knew,” Gunn said. “When I go to trade shows now, … people are looking for the Birmingham booth because they’ve heard about all the great restaurants; they’ve heard about our attractions, the cleanliness of the city, and the friendliness of people here in the South.”

Gunn—who himself takes about seven or eight road trips a year, each ranging from a few days to a week—oversees a multimillion-dollar budget for the convention sales department and compiles monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and marketing business plans. He also directs placement and media buys for the bureau’s advertising budget.

He and his team are important to the city’s growth in several ways, he said. One, for instance, is by bringing conventions, which “… help with economic development for the city.”

“That’s what conventions do. They bring money here,” Gunn explained. “People spend money in the restaurants, the stores, the attractions. … That money stays here, and then it gets circulated around the city.”

One recent example that stands out is the Southern Baptist Convention, held at the Legacy Arena at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center (BJCC) in June.

“It was the second largest convention we’ve ever hosted in Birmingham. There were about 10,000 people here, but they used 3,500 hotel rooms a night,” Gunn said, adding that once people visit the Magic City they often don’t want to leave.

“I think people should plan to spend at least a day here and really [understand] the history of where Birmingham started and where Birmingham is now,” he said. “The challenge is to get people to come to see the city. Once they get here, the city sells itself. It happens all the time. People are always so surprised because it’s never what they imagined.”

Reestablishing Oneself

Gunn was born in Kansas City, Mo., but he spent most of his time in Midland, Texas: “That’s more like home,” he said.

He attended Midland High School and Midland College, where he studied business. He was married at age 17 and had his son, the first his of two children, when he was 21 years old; he had another child, a daughter, when he was 35. He and his wife have been married for 32 years and have three grandchildren.

Gunn left Texas in 1982 and moved to Minneapolis, Minn., where he took a position as a bellman at a hotel.

“That was my introduction to the [hospitality] industry,” he said. “I was 29 years old, so I had been working for a while, and my background had always been in sales. … I moved to Minneapolis for a new start and couldn’t find any employment, so I took that job as a bellman with the intention of eventually going back into sales.”

As a bellman, Gunn was primarily in charge of transporting the luggage from visitors’ cars to their hotel rooms and back. Working in the hotel environment gave him insight about the business and exposed him to other positions, including hotel sales. At the time, there were few African Americans in hotel business management roles, but he started working his way up.

“I went from being a bellman to working at the front desk. … I worked in food and beverage [and] every department of the hotel except housekeeping before I was given a sales position, so I had to reestablish and prove myself,” Gunn said, adding that he got into sales in 1987—and has been there since.

Moving Up

In addition to working in Minneapolis, Gunn has held positions in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina, as well as in Auburn, Ala. He moved to Birmingham in 1996.

“Birmingham would probably be the last place I would have thought I would ever consider staying, but it’s a great city,” he said. “I like the people here, and I’ve made some really good friends. It has a small-town feel but still has a … bigger-city appeal.

“We have everything the large cities have—great nightlife, theaters, golf, … anything you can find in any other city. Birmingham is a great place with good people.”

Gunn was hired as a national sales manager at the CVB in January 1996.

“Working in the hotel business, I was transferring every 18 months, but I could be stable here,” he said. “My daughter was in the fourth grade when I moved here, so I didn’t want to move her from school to school. It was a good opportunity.”

Since that time, Gunn has moved up the ranks at the CVB. In 2000, he was promoted to director of sales. In 2008, the vice president of sales retired, and Gunn took over the position. And in 2015, he assumed the role of senior vice president when CEO John Oros joined the bureau.

“I enjoyed working here. I enjoyed the bureau, so I wanted to stay on to support [Oros when he came in as CEO], said Gunn. “It’s worked out well.”

A People Person

The hospitality industry is a great for him because he’s a people person, Gunn said.

“I love working with people, and I guess I just always had sales in my heart,” he said. “People will always travel [and] stay in hotels. That was the other reason I stayed in this business—because people are going to always be around. I appreciate people being themselves, and I appreciate people being honest. … Those are the people I tend to gravitate toward.”

During his free time, Gunn plays golf, something he has done for about 30 years. He enjoys it because he can spend four hours on a golf course and learn all there is to know about a person.

“You learn if they are honest, you see their temperament, you see how they handle pressure, you see how they handle failures,” he said. “I’ve played a lot of business golf, as well, … and all those factors come into play at some point or another. … You learn the personality and you learn what kind of person you’re dealing with from golf.”

Gunn also encourages youth golf: “It instills a lot of things—integrity, pride, discipline. All those different things come into play when you’re playing golf, and it’s a great sport.”

There is something else about golf that Gunn takes to heart: You’re playing against yourself, not someone else.

“You’re always trying to do better than you did the last time,” he said.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

1 week ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,