In his time as president of the Jefferson County Commission, Jimmie Stephens has seen many things happen during commission meetings.

Thursday at the county’s Justice Center in Bessemer, Stephens added to his list of experiences with a brief concert of the Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir.

“That was the first one,” Stephens said. “And it was worth waiting for.”

The Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir performs for the Jefferson County Commission on July 24, 2025. (Source: Jefferson County)

The choir earned national recognition as it competed on the NBC show “America’s Got Talent.” Its performance was so impressive that judge Simon Cowell awarded it a golden buzzer, which punched its ticket to this fall’s live telecasts of the talent competition to vie for the overall season title.

Choir Director Ahkeem Lee told commissioners he brought “a portion” of the ensemble that totals about 41. He launched the choir a decade ago with no thought of going beyond its initial performance. That changed as several youths clamored to join the group.

“We just celebrated (the 10th anniversary) with a concert on this past Sunday at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church,” Lee said. “We had a full house. I suspect we had at least 1,000 people in attendance, and it was a great, great, great milestone.”

Choir members sat in the jury box of the third-floor courtroom during the meeting. Amateur videographers stood as the singers provided a taste of their talent.

“That’s inspiring,” Stephens said. “To understand what they do to be able to harmonize and have the type of preparation that they have for that. Then it helps them prepare for life because I think they give back to the community and work together too.

“That is truly a wonderful youth group and young adult group that are role models for the community.”

Watch the Birmingham Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Choir perform on ‘America’s Got Talent.’

Commissioner Sheila Tyson invited the group to the Thursday meeting. She also brought her granddaughter to the assembly, telling the youth that they are role models for youngsters who are looking up to them.

The choir traveled to Los Angeles in March for the “America’s Got Talent” audition.

“We will have a wonderful opportunity to return to ‘America’s Got Talent’ this fall in September and participate in the live show event,” the director said. “Lord willing, if all goes well, we’re gonna pray for a win. We’re really grateful for this opportunity.”

During the meeting, commissioners approved giving $120,000 apiece to a pair of organizations that bolster small businesses in the county. Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance and Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama each receive $100,000 a year ago. Each did more with that allotment than anticipated, commissioners said.

The commission also approved Probate Judge Yashiba Glenn Blanchard’s applying for a Help America Vote Act grant to buy a pair of vehicles to be used in election matters. Commissioner Lashunda Scales abstained from the vote as she is on the ballot for mayor of Birmingham in the Aug. 26 municipal election.