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LEGACY BHM

Forged in Birmingham. Built through generations. We honor the businesses that built our city and invest in what comes next.

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Apply for Legacy Forward
Join the Legacy Business Registry

We Are Legacy.

LEGACY BHM is the City of Birmingham’s public platform for identifying, strengthening, investing in, celebrating, and
preserving businesses that have operated within Birmingham for 25 years or more. These businesses are
neighborhood anchors, employers, trusted institutions, and living records of Birmingham’s economic and cultural
history.

Led by the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity through the Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity, LEGACY BHM connects legacy businesses with capital, technical assistance, education, visibility,
relationships, recognition, and opportunities to prepare for the future.

An Alabama Historical Commission marker for the "Fourth Avenue Historic District," detailing its history as a thriving Black business and cultural center that developed in Birmingham during segregation.

Who Is a Birmingham Legacy Business?

A Birmingham legacy business is an established business that has operated continuously within the City of Birmingham for at least 25 years. Legacy businesses have helped shape the identity, economy, neighborhoods, traditions, and stories of our city.

You do not have to be a legacy business yet to start building one.

CORE ELIGIBILITY

  • The business is physically located within the City of Birmingham.
  • The business has operated continuously within Birmingham for at least 25 years.
  • The business typically has fewer than 20 employees.
Birmingham, Alabama

Legacy Forward

Legacy Forward is the City of Birmingham’s pilot grant and technical assistance program created to help eligible  legacy businesses strengthen their operations, build capacity, plan for succession, and prepare for long term  sustainability. 

Selected businesses will participate in a structured six week cohort, complete a business health assessment,  develop an informed plan for the use of funds, receive individualized technical assistance, and become eligible for  a $10,000 grant after completing required program milestones. 

Applications are open September 1 through September 25, 2026. Eligible legacy businesses are encouraged to  review the program requirements and submit a complete application before the deadline. 

Apply for Legacy Forward
Review Program Requirements

Legacy Forward Timeline

Applications Open: September 8, 2026

Applications Close: October 2, 2026

Review: October 5-16, 2026

Notifications: Week of October 19, 2026

Apply to join our Legacy Forward Cohort!

Apply Now!
  • Pre program activities: Week of November 2, 2026
  • Cohort sessions: November 2026 through January 2027, with holiday breaks
  • Grant disbursement: $10,000 lump sum during the week of January 25, 2027, following completion of required milestones
  • Graduation: Week of February 1, 2027
Review Program Requirements

We understand that not every legacy business owner has easy access to online tools. A member of the project  team can provide in person assistance at the business location when needed. Requesting assistance will not affect  an applicant’s eligibility or selection. 

Request Application Assistance

The Legacy Series

Education, Engagement, Storytelling, and Recognition 

The Legacy Series is the year round outreach program within LEGACY BHM. It creates opportunities for legacy  business owners to learn, build relationships, share experiences, connect with resources, and receive recognition.  Building Legacy, Talking Legacy, and Celebrating Legacy are the three components of The Legacy Series and must  always be presented within that program. The Legacy Series is designed with legacy businesses in mind while  welcoming entrepreneurs at every stage who want to learn from Birmingham’s established business community.

Building Legacy

Public workshops focused on business sustainability, finance, digital strategy, workforce, succession, employee ownership, legal planning, and other needs identified by legacy business owners.

Talking Legacy

Panel discussions and community conversations that elevate the voices, lessons, challenges, and future priorities of Birmingham’s legacy business community.

Celebrating Legacy

Recognition and place based experiences that include business profiles, storytelling, decals, Legacy Business Kickbacks, graduation, the Legacy Business Gala, and future corridor recognition opportunities.

A young man with glasses and braided hair speaking actively at a wooden podium, wearing a dark blazer over a light blue turtleneck and a necklace with an Africa pendant.
diverse group of eight event honorees holding matching glass awards, standing together on a stage in front of a projection screen displaying a "Legacy Business" logo.
A man with a bald head, glasses, and a long goatee speaking at a podium. He is dressed in a mauve blazer, white collared shirt, and dark tie.
A man and a woman smiling brightly and conversing with each other in a large event hall, with round banquet tables visible in the background.
A festive event photo backdrop featuring large white block letters spelling "I AM LEGACY," surrounded by a large arch of light blue, dark blue, gold, and silver balloons, with metallic fringe hanging from the ceiling above.
A candid photo of a diverse group of attendees mingling at an indoor event, centered on a woman with glasses and long dark curly hair laughing heartily.
A man in a blue plaid blazer speaking into a microphone while seated on a stage during a panel or presentation, with another man in a dark suit sitting beside him listening.

Legacy BHM Team

Headshot of Dorothy George, a black woman in a dark suit
Linkedin

Dorothy "Dot" George

Small Business Relationship Coordinator

Email Dot

Office: 205 • 254 • 2799

Mobile: 205 • 616 • 3981

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