The Birmingham Business Alliance’s Emily Jerkins Hall was recently recognized as a Leader in Diversity by the Birmingham Business Journal. Emily was one of 17 professionals in the Birmingham community recognized for a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equity in their businesses and in the greater Birmingham community.

Emily is a managing partner at the Birmingham Business Alliance and works to spot and seize opportunities that help The Alliance better serve its clients and make the region more competitive for jobs.

Emily is leading The Alliance’s diversity and inclusion efforts throughout its business plan, including overseeing contracted services that have secured over $1 million in funding for programs. These programs include The Alliance’s Small Business Advisory Services program funded by Prosper; the Magic City Data Collective, which she co-founded with The University of Alabama at Birmingham to develop a pipeline of diverse, data talent (the pilot program recently secured a $219,000 federal grant to continue operations); and actionable market intelligence on the region’s bioscience industry.

In 2021, Emily worked closely with Prosper to craft an impactful Small Business Advisory Services program to meet Prosper’s goal of creating a more prosperous and equitable future for Birmingham. This program led by The Alliance will curate a marketplace between buyers and suppliers, get buyers and suppliers ready to do business and drive collective impact on jobs and dollars throughout Birmingham. Its first cohort, Supplier Scale, was recently announced.

Also honored were Marcus Lundy of Capital Group and Demetria Scott of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who both have led The Alliance’s Inclusive Procurement Council, a group of companies that meet monthly to discuss best practices in supplier diversity and to hear pitches from potential local suppliers.

The Alliance was recognized as a finalist in the Diversity & Inclusion Awards, in the nonprofit category. The Alliance was chosen based on its vision to create and promote a thriving, equitable economy for all in Birmingham by attracting and retaining diverse talent in the community and organization; helping companies increase local spend with minority and small businesses; leveraging diversity as a community asset; and advocating for policies that enable equitable communities.