FOUR MORE YEARS FOR KINCAID

BIRMINGHAM -- Mayor Bernard Kincaid handily defeated challenger Carole Smitherman on Nov. 4, to gain another four years as head of Alabama largest city.

Kincaid, who served two years on the Birmingham City Council before running successfully for mayor in 1999, drew strong support from through Birmingham's inner city. He also pulled voters from the communities in south and east Birmingham which were thought to be strongholds for Councilwoman Smitherman.

The mayor gained some extra support to help get his message out. VNN provided more than $150,000 to Kincaid in the runoff. Of that amount $100,000 was a contribution to the 21st Century Pac, a group run by Attorney Emory Anthony on behalf of the Kincaid campaign. At least $50,000 was provided for get out the vote efforts.

"We assisted the mayor so that he could level the playing field," said William Parker, VNN executive director.

Smitherman received large sums of money from Montgomery lobbyists and from other well-to-do Democrat Party influentials and attorneys.

"Many voters felt that Birmingham would be controlled by Montgomery-based politicians and lobbyist if Smitherman was elected," Parker said. "The people of Birmingham should determine the direction for this city.

The relationship between Kincaid and the leaders of VNN hasn't always been a good one. But VNN leaders and Kincaid said the partnership displayed during the campaign shows that healing is possible.

Kincaid showed in his campaign his ability to work with people who may have differed with him in the past. Just days before the election, he joined with former Birmingham City Councilwoman Sandra Little in breaking ground for fire station in Roosevelt City that once was controversial.

"We were pleased with the message presented by Dr. Kincaid. We knew that if the voters had an opportunity to here what he had to say, a majority would support him," Parker said.

Kincaid said that under his administration Birmingham will grow and the city government will continue to be scandal-free.

When the final votes were tallied, Kincaid had 54 percent or 25,459 votes compared to Smitherman's 21,383. Kincaid soundly defeated Smitherman in 59 of the city's 77 voting precincts.



VNN ANNOUNCES $30,000 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO ASSIST AREA STUDENTS
By Latoiya Stout

BIRMINGHAM -- Voter News Network has established a $30,000 scholarship program that will encourage young scholars and leaders in the Birmingham metropolitan area. The scholarships will be awarded in Spring 2004 to graduating high school students who desire to become civic leaders and business entrepreneurs.

"There is a wealth of intellectual talent among the youth in the Birmingham area," said Sharon Childs-Long, VNN's Education Committee chairwoman. "Too often these students have the academic ability to take them anywhere they want to go, but lack adequate financial support. VNN wants to step in and invest in these students, because many of them will lead us in the future."

A total of 30 scholarships will be awarded for $1,000 each. Fifteen scholarships will be awarded based on leadership. The other 15 will be awarded to students who desire to become business owners. Scholarship recipients will be selected by an independent panel comprised of a parent, a student, a business leader and a classroom teacher.

Applications and additional scholarship information will be available in December online at www.Voternewsnetwork.com. The deadline for applications will be in mid February 2004.

The development of the scholarship program is consistent with VNN's reinvestment in the community. "We strongly believe that this will have a ripple effect in our community," Childs-Long said. "First of all, we hope other organizations will be encouraged to look at additional contributions they can make to assist our youth. Also, we look forward to seeing these young people return to our area with college degrees in hand and ready to work and contribute to make our community even better."



VOTER NEWS NETWORK COMMITS $2 MILLION TO BUSH CAMPAIGN

BIRMINGHAM -- Voter News Network, an independent voice of voters throughout the United States, has committed to raising $2 million for the re-election campaign of George W. Bush, VNN founder Donald Watkins announced today. VNN made the first installment on that contribution on Monday, November 3, when the president visited Birmingham for a fund-raiser.

"The leadership of VNN decided to support Bush because he is uniquely positioned to continue guiding our country through the challenges it is facing economically and with foreign affairs," Watkins said.

"VNN's diverse base of supporters have said that they want to play a major role in regional and national politics," said VNN executive director William Parker. "We will continue to do this by supporting candidates in a variety or races who represent the issues that VNN supporters are concerned about."

Since it was founded, VNN has supported candidates in political races in New York, California, Georgia and Alabama. Candidates endorsed in statewide elections in Alabama in 2002 had overwhelming success, including Gov. Bob Riley.

"The unique thing about VNN is that we are not tied to one political party. We support the best candidates, period," Watkins said.

During the president's visit to Birmingham, Watkins co-hosted a reception prior to a luncheon at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel. He was joined by Parker and VNN board member Attorney Kenneth Thomas.

The goal of the Birmingham fundraiser for Bush/Cheney was to raise $1 million. The VNN support pledged earlier this week will more than double that amount.



ALAMERICA BANK CONTINUES PLANS FOR NASSAU BRANCH
By Sharon Childs-Long

BIRMINGHAM -- Alamerica Bank is continuing its plans for a branch in Nassau, Bahamas following a recent meeting in Birmingham with the island's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Alamerica's founder Donald Watkins and local business leaders met in Birmingham last week with Minister Fred Mitchell and other Bahamian dignitaries. They discussed opportunities for establishing a bank on the island, which has become the hub of business and entertainment in the Bahamas.

"It has always been our plan for Alamerica to establish branches in key cities in the U.S. and in other locations beyond our borders," said Watkins.

"The growth of businesses and recreation venues in Nassau provide an excellent opportunity for Alamerica to grow while assisting in that development."

Alamerica plans to open the Nassau branch by the end of the year with $15 million in seed money--$5 million from Alamerica BancCorp and $10 million from Bahamian businessmen.

In addition to the seed money Watkins said Alamerica will establish a $4 million development fund that will be used to finance small business projects in the Bahamas.

Former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr. is heading up Alamerica's expansion team. Watkins said the Arrington's expertise in economic development and his ability to negotiate will be key in establishing the new branch.



100 BLACK MEN OF BIRMINGHAM: INCREASING THE VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY
By John O. Hudson, III

The success of industry is measured in numbers: net income, the value of a company's assets, the price of a share of stock. But how do you gauge the value of a community?

One possibility would be to try to measure what a community would be like with or without its leadership - the people, whether public officials or private citizens.

Part of what makes Birmingham so extraordinary, what makes our city so unique from other places, are the contributions of its people, past and present.

Under this premise, the 100 Black Men of Birmingham, Inc. is focused on increasing the value of the Birmingham community with its membership - more than 170 of Birmingham's most well-respected professionals and trusted community leaders - and with its programs and initiatives.

The non-profit organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and enhancing educational opportunities for African-Americans in the Birmingham regional area. The organization is an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and focuses on four principle areas: 1) Mentoring, 2) Education, 3) Economic Development, and 4) Health & Well-Being.

Notable members of the 100 Black Men of Birmingham, Inc. include Dr. Richard Arrington Jr., former mayor of the City of Birmingham and Voter
News Network's director for political affairs; J. Mason Davis, Jr., partner, Sirote & Permutt; and Jordan Frazier, President and CEO, Midfield Dodge.

Whether through youth mentoring, implementing educational programs, initiating economic development strategies or promoting health and
wellness initiatives, the 100 Black Men of Birmingham plan to engage in activities that increase the value of the community. The organization's first such event was held Tuesday, Aug. 19, when the 100 Black Men hosted its first annual Salute to Education Leaders Luncheon with
Governor Bob Riley as the guest speaker.

As education leaders across the city of Birmingham rang in a new school year, the 100 Black Men paused to thank them for the leadership role
they play in molding the young minds and inspiring our youth to greatness. During the luncheon, the 100 Black Men also announced the formation of a New Teacher Grant program that will fund grants for
teachers practicing in the classroom from one to three years. The grants are intended for the teachers to use to purchase supplies and materials
for their classrooms and will be awarded before classes are dismissed for Christmas break so the teacher can have the supplies on-hand at the
beginning of the 2004 school session.

To download a grant application, or to find out more information about the 100 Black Men of Birmingham, you can visit www.100bmba.org.

The luncheon and the grant program were public manifestations of the organization's strategy to make in impact on the community. However, the
people of Birmingham can anticipate several more high-profile 100 Black Men initiatives that will play a role in improving the quality of life in our city and increasing the value of our community.

In the end, we must ask ourselves if our leaders are making our community better or worse.

It is my hope that, over time, the citizens of Birmingham will tell you that one organization - the 100 Black Men of Birmingham - has made the
community better.

John O. Hudson, III is President and Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of Birmingham &
Assistant to the President and CEO of Alabama Power Company