Each year the Chamber recognizes citizens from our seven county area who have, through their accomplishments in their field of work or study, have brought national or international acclaim to the Birmingham region. The "Live the Dream" award continues to be the region's most prestigious honor recognizing everyday folks for extraordinary accomplishments. Past recipients include 2003 American Idol Ruben Studdard, 2002 Olympic Gold medalist Vonetta Flowers, The Lakeshore Foundation, noted chef and author Frank Stitt, and 2005 Miss America, Deidre Downs, to name a few.

The 2006 Class of LTD include Mother Angelica for the Lifetime achievement award, author Fannie Flagg, Detroit Tigers Pitcher Todd Jones, 6A Champions Hoover High School Football team, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. 

 

 

The 2005 Class of LTD winners were inducted on January 25, 2006. It included American Idol runner-up Bo Bice, UAB’s director of Aids Research Dr. Michael Saag, The Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, Newsweek magazine's Top Ranked High School in America, and the late Dr. Albert Sloan, former president of Miles College, who became the first “Lifetime Achievement” award recipient.

The 2004 Class of LTD Winners: Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Carole C. Smitherman poses next to the winners of the 2005 Live the Dream Awards. (L-R) Connie and Alto Ray, aunt and uncle of US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice; US Olympic Gold Medalist Catherine Reddick; Jeff Underwood of the Lakeshore Foundation; 2005 Miss America Deidre Downs; UAB Blazers' Head Coach, Mike Anderson; and Highlands Bar & Grill Owner and noted chef Frank Stitt.

The 2003 Class of LTD Winners: 2003 American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard, Ellen Erdreich accepting for her late husband, Jerome “Buddy” Cooper, a renowned Birmingham civil rights attorney, Jefferson County Schools’ teacher and 2003 National Teacher of the Year Dr. Betsy Rogers, Linda Nored accepting for her late husband, Reverend Ron Nored Sr., and UAB's Dr. Beatrice H. Hahn. Reverend Nored and Cooper were posthumously honored following their respective deaths in October of 2003.

Every year, everyday people living in our community do phenomenal things. Some people, however, do things that bring national and international attention to their efforts in ways that go far beyond the scope of ordinary and forever change the public image landscape of our community. These people are no doubt living out their dreams doing what they do best, and we pay homage to them in the distinguished annual "Live the Dream" awards ceremony.

Held every January, the LTD awards are given to people native to our region who have put Birmingham on the national and international map by doing what they do best - achieving extraordinary feats with often ordinary backgrounds. In the first few years, LTD winners have represented the nation's secretary of state, a national talent awards winner, a beauty queen, a famous chef and a national 'teacher of the year', to name a few. Quite a distinguished list and it just keeps growing!

LTD is the community accomplishment award. The recipients are proud to receive the hometown recognition and the community is overjoyed to give it.

If you know someone who should be our region's "Live the Dream" award recipient, contact Melanie Davis to request a nomination form or download the form.