Year-End Reviews

What is the Class of ’24 reading, listening to, and watching? Four of the newest Leadership Birmingham graduates share the books, programs, and podcasts that have inspired them during their program year.

Steven Henkin
Rabbi
Temple Beth-El

The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World, by Rabbi Sharon Brous

“[This book] challenges us to think about what it really means to be part of a community and gives practical suggestions about how we can work together to make a better world—starting with ourselves, our families, and our communities.”

Javacia Harris Bowser
Founder
See Jane Write LLC

Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay

“This movie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, is quite simply a masterpiece. Director Ava DuVernay manages to blend elements of surrealism and documentary seamlessly. The film is based on the work of Isabel Wilkerson and documents her journey to write her groundbreaking book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The movie, just like the book, will revolutionize your thoughts on race and racism. Be prepared to think! But also be prepared to ugly cry—a lot. After watching this movie, you will not be the same.”

Melanie Lewis
Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer
Encompass Health
 

Lessons on the Way to Heaven: What My Father Taught Me, by Michael Fechner Jr. with Bob Welch

“This is a little-known book that I downloaded when stuck in an airport one evening, and I found it so moving that I had to skip the first part of my conference the next morning to finish it. It is about a wealthy Dallas-area businessman who seemingly woke up one day and began contemplating his legacy. He concluded that he was ‘all showroom and no warehouse,’ which ultimately led him to cofound an urban renewal project that brought more purpose and joy. The book is written by his son, and it’s interesting to get the son’s perspective on how his life was transformed in the process.”

Antoine Liddell
Vice President, Field Operations
Spire

The Gift of Struggle: Life-Changing Lessons About Leading, by Bobby Herrera

“This book focuses on the life and leadership lessons learned by the author as he grew up in a small New Mexico town in a migrant family. The book takes you on a journey through his professional life that lands him as cofounder and CEO of his own company. Great leadership lessons are taken away from this book, which reminds us of the gifts in our struggles.”

Start an online book club or podcast discussion group for your class by contacting your Members Council representative or emailing libba@leadershipbirmingham.org.