In the heart of Birmingham, a movement is rising—one rooted in justice, healing, and the deep belief that true change starts with the people. That movement is the One Hood W.E.N.S. (West, East, North, South) Initiative, created by the Institute of Research for Social Justice in Action (IRSJA) and powered locally by Jacobie Williams, a credible messenger and native son of the city who’s turning pain into purpose.
Through a transformative partnership with the City of Birmingham, IRSJA launched the One Hood W.E.N.S. Initiative to disrupt cycles of violence and foster community empowerment from every corner of the city—West, East, North, and South—because in Alabama, everybody wins.
Pull Up for Peace: A Movement, Not Just a Moment
At the core of the initiative is Pull Up for Peace, a citywide community engagement campaign designed to reclaim neighborhoods through love, visibility, and joy. These events are far more than just gatherings—they’re declarations that Birmingham residents will no longer tolerate violence or disconnection in their communities.
The most recent Pull Up for Peace took place on April 17, 2025, at Memorial Recreation Center in the Titusville neighborhood. Following the heartbreaking shooting of 20-year-old Dorian Jackson, the IRSJA team pulled up with a purpose: to remind families that healing is possible and community still matters. The event brought together hundreds of children and adults for a day of food, music, face painting, games, an Easter egg hunt, and access to vital resources such as mental health support, workforce opportunities, and violence interruption services.
As Councilwoman Crystal Smitherman shared, “Pull Up for Peace is about more than events—it’s about shifting energy. When the people feel seen and supported, that’s when change becomes real.”
Jacobie Williams: The Face of Community Redemption
The boots-on-the-ground leadership of Jacobie Williams, who serves as the Birmingham Director of One Hood W.E.N.S., is at the heart of this work. Raised in the Ensley neighborhood and once caught in the crosshairs of street life, Jacobie has emerged as one of the most impactful community leaders in the city. He leads with lived experience, authenticity, and a deep love for his people.
In addition to his role at IRSJA, Jacobie founded the nonprofit Everybody WENS, which empowers youth and families across Birmingham with the tools they need to break generational cycles of trauma and poverty. Under his guidance, One Hood W.E.N.S. is training credible messengers, building neighborhood networks, and addressing conflict before it escalates—offering real-time intervention, not just theory.
IRSJA: Centering the Community in the Fight for Justice
The Institute of Research for Social Justice in Action, co-founded by Dr. Jamila T. Davis and civil rights attorney Angelo Pinto, is a national organization focused on merging grassroots organizing with academic research and scalable community models. With a proven track record in cities like Newark, NJ, where its efforts contributed to the lowest homicide rates in years, IRSJA is now bringing that same intentional, trauma-informed approach to Birmingham.
“Our mission isn’t to come into communities with all the answers,” said Dr. Davis. “It’s to amplify the leadership that’s already there, like Jacobie, and to make sure communities have the tools, funding, and support they’ve always deserved.”
What’s Next for Birmingham?
With multiple Pull Up for Peace events scheduled throughout the spring and summer, and a growing coalition of partners, the One Hood W.E.N.S. movement is just getting started. From city parks to housing complexes, from resource tables to dance circles, the message is loud and clear: West, East, North, and South—everybody wins.
As Jacobie Williams passionately states: “This is about our people. We’ve buried too many. We’ve cried too long. Now, we’re rising. And this time, we’re doing it together.”
