BACK IN DECEMBER. SEALS WAS ARRESTED ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND CHARGED WITH THE CRIME. BIRMINGHAM IS FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT ISSUES THAT MATTER, INCLUDING GUN VIOLENCE. JUST THIS WEEKEND, A 15 YEAR OLD WAS ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING ANOTHER TEEN IN BIRMINGHAM. WVTM 13 AUSTIN IS JOINING US LIVE IN OUR STUDIO AND BRYCE, THE CITY’S 205 AND PARK EVENTS. SOUNDS FAMILIAR. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS? YEAH, THE EVENT WAS A SPIN OFF OF AN OLD TV SHOW, 106, IN PARK. STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE EVENT SAY THEY ENJOYED SPEAKING WITH THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. RIGHT. NOW, THE THINGS THEY TALKED ABOUT SO FAR HAVE BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT, SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CARRY WITH US. WE WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE. WELCOME EVERYBODY FROM 2 TO 5 AT THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM’S 205 AND PARK EVENT IS A SPIN OFF OF BET’S 106 AND PARK. THE EVENT █WAS GEAREDTOWARD MAKING STUDENTS AWARE OF GUN VIOLENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHILE BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND ELECTED LEADERS. HAILEY TOLBERT SAYS IT’S AN EXPERIENCE SHE WON’T FORGET. I’VE TAKEN AWAY A LOT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND EVEN HOW I CAN TALK TO MY PARENTS AND HOW THEY CAN HELP ME, AND HOW I CAN HELP MY PEERS. LISTEN TO YOUR KIDS, BECAUSE THE STUFF THAT YOUR KIDS BE SAYING IS TRUE. PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND TALK WITH THEM. FLOMATON BE. COUNCILWOMAN LATONYA TATE HOSTED THE EVENT AND SAYS HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WILL HELP THOSE LEADING THE CITY TO OVERCOME DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE ENGAGE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM. ARE YOUR SOLUTION SOLVER, SO IT MEANS IT MEANS A LOT TO ME TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE BACK. PUT THIS IN YOUR HAND AND LET THEM DREAM. BE. AS TOLBERT PREPARES TO FINISH HER SENIOR YEAR, SHE ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO USE WHAT SHE’S LEARNED. MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE CHECKING ON YOUR PEOPLE, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER. DON’T FOCUS ON THINGS THAT CAN DISTRACT YOU AND TAKE YOU AWAY FROM WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. AND CITY LEADERS SAID THEY PLAN TO MEET AFTER TODAY’S EV
Birmingham’s 205 and Park event inspires students to address gun violence and mental health
Updated: 8:08 PM CST Mar 4, 2026
Birmingham’s 205 and Park event, inspired by BET’s “106 and Park,” aimed to make students aware of gun violence and mental health while bridging the gap between residents and elected leaders. Hailey Tolbert, a student, expressed the significance of the event, saying, “The things they’ve talked about so far have been really important and something we can carry with us.”Tolbert shared her personal takeaways from the event, emphasizing the importance of mental health and communication. “I’ve taken away a lot about mental health and even how I can talk to my parents and how they can help me and how I can help my peers,” she said.Haili Lumzy urged parents to listen to their children, stating, “Listen to your kids because the stuff that your kids be saying is true, please listen to your children and talk with them.”Councilwoman Latonya Tate, who hosted the event, highlighted the importance of engaging with those closest to the issues. “I thought it was super important that we engage the people that are closest to the problem, are your solution solvers, so it means a lot to me to give back, put this in young people’s hand and let them dream big,” Tate said.>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13As Tolbert prepares to finish her senior year, she encourages others to apply what she has learned. “Just make sure that you’re checking on your people and make sure that you’re worried about the things that really matter. Don’t focus on things that can distract you and take you away from what you’re supposed to be doing,” she said.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Birmingham’s 205 and Park event, inspired by BET’s “106 and Park,” aimed to make students aware of gun violence and mental health while bridging the gap between residents and elected leaders.
Hailey Tolbert, a student, expressed the significance of the event, saying, “The things they’ve talked about so far have been really important and something we can carry with us.”
Tolbert shared her personal takeaways from the event, emphasizing the importance of mental health and communication. “I’ve taken away a lot about mental health and even how I can talk to my parents and how they can help me and how I can help my peers,” she said.
Haili Lumzy urged parents to listen to their children, stating, “Listen to your kids because the stuff that your kids be saying is true, please listen to your children and talk with them.”
Councilwoman Latonya Tate, who hosted the event, highlighted the importance of engaging with those closest to the issues. “I thought it was super important that we engage the people that are closest to the problem, are your solution solvers, so it means a lot to me to give back, put this in young people’s hand and let them dream big,” Tate said.
>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13
As Tolbert prepares to finish her senior year, she encourages others to apply what she has learned. “Just make sure that you’re checking on your people and make sure that you’re worried about the things that really matter. Don’t focus on things that can distract you and take you away from what you’re supposed to be doing,” she said.