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'''Kamau Afrika''' (born [[October 2]], [[1956]]) is a real-estate investor, community activist and political candidate from the [[East Thomas]] neighborhood and [[Smithfield]] community in [[Birmingham]]. | '''Kamau Afrika''' (born '''Marlon Walker''' [[October 2]], [[1956]]) is a real-estate investor, community activist and political candidate from the [[East Thomas]] neighborhood and [[Smithfield]] community in [[Birmingham]]. | ||
He was born to Jimmie and Ivory Dawson Walker, Sr in Smithfield. Mr Walker was one of the first to build a home in the [[Sugar Hill]] area that became known as [[Dynamite Hill]] during the [[KKK]]'s campaign of terror to enforce segregation. He also fought discriminatory pay practices at [[ACIPCO]]. His mother, Mrs. Walker defied Jim Crow laws and was active in pushing for street improvements in their community. | He was born to Jimmie and Ivory Dawson Walker, Sr in Smithfield. Mr Walker was one of the first to build a home in the [[Sugar Hill]] area that became known as [[Dynamite Hill]] during the [[KKK]]'s campaign of terror to enforce segregation. He also fought discriminatory pay practices at [[ACIPCO]]. His mother, Mrs. Walker defied Jim Crow laws and was active in pushing for street improvements in their community. | ||
Afrika attended [[A. H. Parker High School]], Selma Lutheran Academy, then graduated from High Point High School, Maryland, in [[1972]], and from [[Birmingham-Southern College]] in 1985, and attended law school at [[Miles College]] in [[1991]] | Afrika attended [[A. H. Parker High School]], Selma Lutheran Academy, then graduated from High Point High School, Maryland, in [[1972]], and from [[Birmingham-Southern College]] in 1985, and attended law school at [[Miles College]] in [[1991]]. | ||
His chosen name, | His chosen name, adopted in [[1985]], means "quiet warrior" in Kikuyu, the language of the Kinutu tribe of modern Kenya. After his wife died in [[1994]], Afrika raised his daughter, [[Uche Afrika|Uche]] himself, taking on extra jobs to be able to enroll her in private school and college. He makes his income from rental property and real estate investments. | ||
==Activism== | ==Activism== | ||
As a community activist, Afrika has helped get Smithfield listed as a [[Historic District]] (1985-87) and as an [[Enterprise Zone]] (1994). He served on [[Bernard Kincaid]]'s transition team in 2001. He has proposed municipal amendments aimed at curbing vandalism, filed lawsuits seeking to preserve public ownership of the [[Birmingham Water Works]] and to expose the long-term effects of the proposed [[Metropolitan Area Projects Strategy|MAPS]] tax. | As a community activist, Afrika has helped get Smithfield listed as a [[Historic District]] (1985-87) and as an [[Enterprise Zone]] (1994). He served on [[Bernard Kincaid]]'s transition team in 2001. He has proposed municipal amendments aimed at curbing vandalism, filed lawsuits seeking to preserve public ownership of the [[Birmingham Water Works]] and to expose the long-term effects of the proposed [[Metropolitan Area Projects Strategy|MAPS]] tax. During a demonstration against the County Commission in [[2001]] he arrived at the Courthouse steps carrying a rifle, but left when informed that it was illegal to have a firearm in a public demonstration. | ||
He has been a member of the College Hills Voters League, the [[Jefferson County Citizens Coalition]], [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] Fraternity Inc., the [[Alabama Solar Energy Coalition]], and the [[Birmingham Pledge]] group. He is a founding member and president of the [[Five Points North/Smithfield Merchants Association]]. | He has been a member of the College Hills Voters League, the [[Jefferson County Citizens Coalition]], [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] Fraternity Inc., the [[Alabama Solar Energy Coalition]], and the [[Birmingham Pledge]] group. He is a founding member and president of the [[Five Points North/Smithfield Merchants Association]]. | ||
==Political | ==Political campaigns== | ||
Afrika ran unsuccessful campaigns for the [[Birmingham City Council]] in [[Birmingham City Council District 5|District 5]] in [[1989]] and [[1997]]. | Afrika ran unsuccessful campaigns for the [[Birmingham City Council]] in [[Birmingham City Council District 5|District 5]] in [[1989]] and [[1997]]. | ||
Afrika was a [[2006]] Democratic candidate for the seat being vacated by [[George Perdue]] in the Alabama House of Representatives [[House District 54|District 54]]. In his campaign, he supported stronger vocational and technical education in schools, a new constitutional convention, funding for police, mandatory auto inspections, alternative fuels and public transit, home rule for cities over 100,000, limits on capital punishment, tougher laws against drug suppliers, taxes and fines for businesses hiring illegal aliens, and the use of lottery revenues to fund education and alternative energy research. | Afrika was a [[2006]] Democratic candidate for the seat being vacated by [[George Perdue]] in the Alabama House of Representatives [[House District 54|District 54]]. In his campaign, he supported stronger vocational and technical education in schools, a new constitutional convention, funding for police, mandatory auto inspections, alternative fuels and public transit, home rule for cities over 100,000, limits on capital punishment, tougher laws against drug suppliers, taxes and fines for businesses hiring illegal aliens, and the use of lottery revenues to fund education and alternative energy research. | ||
After his defeat in the [[2006 Jefferson County primary election|June 6 primary]], Afrika endorsed [[Patricia Todd]] over [[Gaynell Hendricks]]. Todd was eventually certified as the winner of the seat. | After his defeat in the [[2006 Jefferson County primary election|June 6 primary]], Afrika endorsed [[Patricia Todd]] over [[Gaynell Hendricks]]. Todd was eventually certified as the winner of the seat. He suppported [[Patrick Cooper]]'s campaign for the [[2007 Birmingham mayoral election]]. | ||
In [[2008]], Afrika | In [[2008]], Afrika put his name on the ballot for the [[2008 Jefferson County Commission special election|special election]] to fill [[Larry Langford]]'s unexpired term on the [[Jefferson County Commission]]. His platform includes preserving and enhancing services at [[Cooper Green Mercy Hospital]] and finding ways to use technology to save county funds. He has suggested charging extra fees to illegal immigrants who use the county hospital. He also pledges to donate 3/4 of his commission salary to local causes. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* | * "Smithfield Resident, Project LEAP sue to block MAPS vote." (July 25, 1998) ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* "Two halt attempt to block vote." (August 1, 1998) ''Birmingham News'' | |||
* Stewart, Sherrel Wheeler. (May 22, 1999) "City studying plan to fine parents for child's actions." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
* Responsible Citizens to Elect Kamau Afrika (November 20, 2005). Paid political advertising flyer. | * Responsible Citizens to Elect Kamau Afrika (November 20, 2005). Paid political advertising flyer. | ||
* | * Coman, Victoria L. (June 1, 2006) "Afrika sees need for alternative fuels, parental accountability". ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* | * Bryant, Joseph D. (January 29, 2008) "Kamau Afrika vows to bring integrity, new ideas to Jefferson County government." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Afrika, Kamau}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Afrika, Kamau}} | ||
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[[Category:Parker graduates]] | [[Category:Parker graduates]] | ||
[[Category:Smithfield community]] | [[Category:Smithfield community]] | ||
[[Category:Politicians]] | |||
Revision as of 10:59, 29 January 2008
Kamau Afrika (born Marlon Walker October 2, 1956) is a real-estate investor, community activist and political candidate from the East Thomas neighborhood and Smithfield community in Birmingham.
He was born to Jimmie and Ivory Dawson Walker, Sr in Smithfield. Mr Walker was one of the first to build a home in the Sugar Hill area that became known as Dynamite Hill during the KKK's campaign of terror to enforce segregation. He also fought discriminatory pay practices at ACIPCO. His mother, Mrs. Walker defied Jim Crow laws and was active in pushing for street improvements in their community.
Afrika attended A. H. Parker High School, Selma Lutheran Academy, then graduated from High Point High School, Maryland, in 1972, and from Birmingham-Southern College in 1985, and attended law school at Miles College in 1991.
His chosen name, adopted in 1985, means "quiet warrior" in Kikuyu, the language of the Kinutu tribe of modern Kenya. After his wife died in 1994, Afrika raised his daughter, Uche himself, taking on extra jobs to be able to enroll her in private school and college. He makes his income from rental property and real estate investments.
Activism
As a community activist, Afrika has helped get Smithfield listed as a Historic District (1985-87) and as an Enterprise Zone (1994). He served on Bernard Kincaid's transition team in 2001. He has proposed municipal amendments aimed at curbing vandalism, filed lawsuits seeking to preserve public ownership of the Birmingham Water Works and to expose the long-term effects of the proposed MAPS tax. During a demonstration against the County Commission in 2001 he arrived at the Courthouse steps carrying a rifle, but left when informed that it was illegal to have a firearm in a public demonstration.
He has been a member of the College Hills Voters League, the Jefferson County Citizens Coalition, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Alabama Solar Energy Coalition, and the Birmingham Pledge group. He is a founding member and president of the Five Points North/Smithfield Merchants Association.
Political campaigns
Afrika ran unsuccessful campaigns for the Birmingham City Council in District 5 in 1989 and 1997.
Afrika was a 2006 Democratic candidate for the seat being vacated by George Perdue in the Alabama House of Representatives District 54. In his campaign, he supported stronger vocational and technical education in schools, a new constitutional convention, funding for police, mandatory auto inspections, alternative fuels and public transit, home rule for cities over 100,000, limits on capital punishment, tougher laws against drug suppliers, taxes and fines for businesses hiring illegal aliens, and the use of lottery revenues to fund education and alternative energy research.
After his defeat in the June 6 primary, Afrika endorsed Patricia Todd over Gaynell Hendricks. Todd was eventually certified as the winner of the seat. He suppported Patrick Cooper's campaign for the 2007 Birmingham mayoral election.
In 2008, Afrika put his name on the ballot for the special election to fill Larry Langford's unexpired term on the Jefferson County Commission. His platform includes preserving and enhancing services at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital and finding ways to use technology to save county funds. He has suggested charging extra fees to illegal immigrants who use the county hospital. He also pledges to donate 3/4 of his commission salary to local causes.
References
- "Smithfield Resident, Project LEAP sue to block MAPS vote." (July 25, 1998) Birmingham News
- "Two halt attempt to block vote." (August 1, 1998) Birmingham News
- Stewart, Sherrel Wheeler. (May 22, 1999) "City studying plan to fine parents for child's actions." Birmingham News
- Responsible Citizens to Elect Kamau Afrika (November 20, 2005). Paid political advertising flyer.
- Coman, Victoria L. (June 1, 2006) "Afrika sees need for alternative fuels, parental accountability". Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (January 29, 2008) "Kamau Afrika vows to bring integrity, new ideas to Jefferson County government." Birmingham News