SoulGrown

Nominated by Heidi Elnora of Heidi Elnora Atelier, Allie Gipson was honored at our 2024 Soul of the South Awards as our Fashion & Textile Design category winner. Born in Huntsville and raised in Cullman, Allie Gipson always knew that she wanted to do something transformative and different. She first stepped out of her comfort zone by joining a fashion class in high school and later placed in the Top 20 at Birmingham Fashion Week. She continued to hone her skills at the University of Alabama, followed by an internship in New York with designer Cristina Ottaviano, where she fell in love with the city and with bridal design. However, Gipson missed her home state and returned to Alabama after working for a bridal designer in Nashville. https://lnkd.in/eMSBECuj

The University of Alabama fosters students’ unique interests through programs that support individual growth and exploration. One such program is apparel design, which offers students a focused and comprehensive educational experience in the field of fashion design. The program’s specialized curriculum is designed to nurture creativity, develop technical expertise and prepare students for a wide range of roles in the fashion industry that helps shape legends in the making. For Laken Thompson, a senior apparel design major at The University of Alabama, fashion has been a part of her life as long as she can remember. From a young age, Thompson has fond recollections of spending time with her mother at her children’s boutique. “Some of my best memories are of helping her in the store,” Thompson reflects. “If I had a special occasion or an event, I would draw and create what I wanted, even if I didn’t know where to find it.” https://lnkd.in/gsRsY-cY #Sponsored

Alabama is home to an incredible range of state parks that have something to offer adventurers year-round. Our Alabama State Parks Passport series highlights all of the stunning outdoor spaces throughout the state that make for the perfect seasonal getaway. The ninth in our series is Buck’s Pocket State Park. According to Alabama State Parks, the amenities at Buck’s Pocket State Park “create a family-friendly destination for campers, off-road enthusiasts, and vacationers.” https://lnkd.in/eAWGdEY4

Kelsey Barnard Clark knows a thing or two about entertaining. As a longtime caterer, lauded restaurateur, and practiced home host, the Alabama native is an expert at throwing gatherings both casual and formal, large and small. She started catering at age 15, and over the next two decades worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City before opening her own business, KBC in Dothan. Clark was a semifinalist in 2023 for a prestigious regional best chef award from The James Beard Foundation. A television personality, she was the first Southerner and fifth woman to win the cooking competition Top Chef in 2019. The Dothan resident—Alabama’s answer to Martha Stewart—distilled all that experience into her latest book, Southern Get-Togethers: A Guide to Hosting Unforgettable Gatherings. It is both a cookbook and guide to throwing parties including the kinds of events Clark loves to host at home—happy-hour gatherings, daytime bashes, potlucks, supper-club dinners, and fancier feasts. https://lnkd.in/gsBM2D-5

When the rankings came out, it was further validation of the work Regions Bank has done. Trade publication American Banker recently reported Regions Bank has the second-highest reputation among banks – in the entire nation. No other bank with a branch network serving Alabama ranked higher. And the only higher-ranking bank doesn’t have the same business model as Regions; it doesn’t have the extensive local branch network of a company like Regions, with financial professionals right there in your hometown helping people build budgets and reach financial goals. The message was clear – Regions Bank has built a reputation that stands out from the crowd. But how so? The answers are many. https://lnkd.in/g-9Wd7uX #Sponsored

Something new and exciting has just arrived in Birmingham. With interest in facial cosmetic surgery and aesthetic enhancements at an all-time high, Dr. Blake Raggio hopes to introduce Alabama to top-notch innovation in the facial aesthetic space. A double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Raggio is uniquely equipped to move Alabama’s cosmetic industry into the modern age. For Dr. Raggio, what sets Raggio MD apart is a simple combination of safety, trust, professionalism, and innovation. With board certification in both Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery and experience working alongside some of the industry’s most well-respected professionals, he is a standout in the region. “It’s a unique thing—double board certification—and you know why it’s important? It shows how serious I am, how committed I am, and just how passionate I am about giving patients the best result.” Read more about how Dr. Blake Raggio is bringing cutting-edge facial plastic surgery to Birmingham. https://lnkd.in/ea4G_VrG #Sponsored

Our 2024 Soul of the South Awards was held last week at the stunning Barber Motorsports in Birmingham. The event recognized some of Alabama’s most talented creators, innovators, and leaders. It also gathered an inspiring crowd of notable guests to honor the contributions of those shaping the state’s cultural and creative landscape. https://lnkd.in/eqQ5xyFi

The third annual Airing of the Quilts celebrates the tradition of outdoor quilt displays in the historic community of Gee’s Bend and gives visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique artistic community that produced internationally acclaimed African American quiltmakers. “This is an artistically advanced community,” said Kim V. Kelly, executive director for Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, one of the organizations coordinating the festival. “That legacy can be traced to the people who live in the community, whose families have lived here for over 200 years from enslavement to the present. This is a historically and culturally significant community. People will learn, experience and enjoy so much while they are here.” https://lnkd.in/esSy9-iM

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is dedicated to giving back to the community with the goal of making Alabama a healthier state – both now and in the future. One of the many ways they support organizations and nonprofits throughout the state is through The Caring Foundation. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s The Caring Foundation focuses on improving the health and well-being of communities across Alabama. Established in 1990, the foundation primarily supports initiatives related to health education, preventive care, and outreach programs aimed at underserved populations. Its mission is to provide access to healthcare services, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance overall community wellness through partnerships, grants, and charitable contributions. The foundation has championed what manager Tim King describes as the philanthropic entity’s “three pillars” — the improvement of Alabamians’ health, wellness and education. Various charitable entities across Alabama have received support and funding for the past three decades. https://lnkd.in/eMHFyu8b #Sponsored

It’s Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and the energy is electric. The campus is filled with crimson-clad fans, the smell of barbeque is in the air and roaring cheers can be heard alongside the brass section in the Million Dollar Band. At The University of Alabama, game day traditions run deep – and they continue to energize and inspire the next generation. Follow the link below to learn more about what makes tailgating for the Crimson Tide so special. https://lnkd.in/e634fB5m #Sponsored