Birmingham Promise and AIR Partner to Refine Student Career Pathways

Since its inception in 2020 under Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham Promise has provided students with paid internships, scholarships, and coaching. This new partnership, running through April 2027, shifts the focus toward data-driven decision-making. By integrating AIR’s research expertise with local insights, the organization intends to identify which specific supports most effectively help students secure long-term economic stability.

Samantha Williams, CEO of Birmingham Promise, noted that the initiative will move beyond simple college entry metrics to track actual workforce success. The collaboration targets five key areas, including improving long-term tracking of student outcomes, building staff data literacy, and strengthening the city’s broader cradle-to-career network. Rather than reinventing internal systems, the team will refine how current data is connected to address urgent questions regarding college and career readiness. Terris Ross of the AIR Opportunity Fund emphasized that the goal is to empower local leaders with the analytical tools necessary to turn existing information into clear, actionable strategies for the city's youth.