James “Jay” Roberson, Jr., Council President Pro Tempore, District 7
Birmingham City Councilor James “Jay” Roberson, Jr. was recently elected as Council President Pro Tempore for the 2017-2019 term on the City Council. He serves as Chair of the Utilities/Technology Committee and is a member of the Administration/Education, Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committees.
Council President Pro Tempore Roberson is viewed as one of the bright and upcoming politicians in the State of Alabama due to his servant leadership. Councilor Roberson is in his second term on the Birmingham City Council and represents District 7 in the southwest area of Birmingham.
He served as President Pro Tempore of the City Council for the 2014-2016 elected term and held past Chairmanships of the Planning and Zoning and Public Improvement Committees.
During the last eight years, Council President Pro Tempore Roberson has focused on enhancing the overall visual appearance of the City of Birmingham. He has requested and implemented a record number of abatement of property nuisances. He has also led the drive for the development of a commercial shopping center in southwest Birmingham that will feature a Publix grocery store which is set to open in 2018. Publix will be the first major national food chain store to be located in District 7. Due in large part to his consistent discussions with business officials, the shopping center is part of a $150 million development that will be occurring in the district over the next couple of years.
Councilor Roberson is an advocate for young people and former President of the United States Barack Obama’s White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnership identified him as a leader “well-poised” to make mentoring a priority. He received President Obama’s “Volunteer Service Award” in 2010 for his involvement in working with youth in the City of Birmingham and across the country.
In 2010, Council President Pro Tempore Roberson unveiled the “100 Days of Non-Violence” campaign in the Birmingham metro area. For the first five years of this youth-led and adult-guided campaign, not one person under the age of 18 was killed due to a violent act in the City of Birmingham. Due to the origin of the campaign and successful reduction of violence amongst youth, Atlanta, GA, Albuquerque, NM, Saginaw, MI, and Up State, SC have kicked off the “100 Days of Non-Violence” campaigns in their cities.
Council President Pro Tempore Roberson has partnered with Dr. Bernice A. King, President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America with the “100 Days of Non-Violence” campaign which has resonated nationally. In 2013, Dr. Bernice King, the CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, GA, honored him with the inaugural Coretta Scott King “A.N.G.E.L. Award” at the annual Salute to Greatness Awards. This award is now displayed for all youth to see in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Since the inception of the“100 Days of Non-Violence,” students have taken up the cause with petitioning their peers to sign and abide by a non-violence pledge and participate in community activities. Councilor Roberson has spearheaded the commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the “National Day of Service” by organizing events such as “Shoes of Hope Distribution” on Dr. King’s holiday with Samaritan’s Feet. His office has pre-registered students through local schools and over the years more than 5,000 students have received a new pair of athletic shoes, socks and a unique message of hope on life and the importance of education.
Council President Pro Tempore Roberson is very civic-minded and serves on several prestigious boards including: the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Board; the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Board; the Birmingham chapter of the American Cancer Society Board; the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and the “Hands On Birmingham” Board. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
In addition to his duties as a Councilor, he is the President of Top Ten Management. In this role, he is responsible for public policy, business development and strategic partnership working with various organizations throughout the United States.
Council President Pro Tempore Roberson received an athletics scholarship in football to attend Middle Tennessee State University in 1991. He transferred in 1992 to Alabama A&M University where he earned his B.A. in Telecommunications in 1996, and was the starting quarterback for the A&M Bulldogs from 1992-1994.
Council President Pro Tempore Roberson has senior level executive experience, including positions at Samford University where he served as an Associate Director of Athletics for eight years and developed the University’s product licensing program that led to new fundraising and strategic partnerships. He served as Associate Commissioner for the Southwestern Athletic Conference for three years and guided the development of the conference’s first fund reserve of more than $1 million.
For more information concerning Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson or to discuss scheduling arrangements, call 205.254.2418 or email jay.roberson@birminghamal.gov.