Kamau Afrika

Age: 68

Residence: Birmingham (Smithfield)

Political experience: East Thomas Neighborhood Association, president, 1998-2000. Has run a series of unsuccessful campaigns: for the Birmingham City Council District 5, 1989 and 1997; for the Democratic nomination in a special election to fill Alabama House of Representatives District 54, 2006; in a special election to fill Larry Langford’s unexpired term on the Jefferson County Commission, 2008; in a special election to fill the Jefferson County Commission District 1 seat left vacant when William Bell was sworn in as Birmingham’s mayor in 2010; for mayor against Bell, 2011; for mayor against Bell, 2013.

Professional experience: Real estate investor, 1990-present; BP, health and safety inspector, 2010; Granite Construction, road crew supervisor, 2000; Brooklery Pharmacy, 1999.

Civic experience: Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, 1983-present; College Hills Neighborhood Improvement, late 1980s; Five Points/Smithfield Merchants Association, 1983; Birmingham Pledge Group, in the 1980s.

Education: Birmingham-Southern College, bachelor’s in kinesiology, 1985; attended Miles Law School, 1991; Samford University, in master’s program for environmental science, 2009-10.

Major issues: The candidate’s top priorities include public safety, specifically creating a large police patrol force; development of neglected parts of town to eliminate food deserts; creating entertainment and athletic complexes in the west, northwest and southwest sections of the city; and development of small businesses and achieving equity for Black businesses.

Campaign: afrikaformayor.com