Great Birmingham Bake-Off to Support People with Disabilities

News Summary

The Great Birmingham Bake-Off will be held on April 5 at Cahaba Brewing Company, raising funds for individuals with disabilities and providing vital job training. Organized by Workshops Empowered Inc. (WE Inc.), this event will feature baked goods, local judges, and foster community engagement, making it an essential part of the local landscape.

Birmingham: Great Birmingham Bake-Off Set for April 5 at Cahaba Brewing, Supporting People with Disabilities

The Great Birmingham Bake-Off will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company in Birmingham, Alabama. This event marks the 4th annual bake-off, organized by Workshops Empowered Inc. (WE Inc.), and serves as a crucial fundraiser aimed at providing jobs and job training for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Inspired by the beloved British cooking show, the first Great Birmingham Bake-Off debuted in 2022 and has since garnered significant community engagement and funding each year. The event is characterized by its focus on local empowerment and inclusivity, making it a vital part of the city’s social landscape.

Baked Goods and Community Engagement

Attendees can look forward to a variety of baked goods made from WE Made baking mixes, including:

• Buttermilk biscuits
• Buttermilk cornbread
• Hummingbird cake
• Pound cake

These treats are crafted using Southern Staples mixes, which are integral to WE Inc.’s job training program that provides hands-on work experience and job readiness training for participants. According to reports, this program not only equips individuals with essential skills but also helps them secure steady income and build connections with potential employers.

Impact and Policy Implications

The Great Birmingham Bake-Off illustrates a growing trend in community-driven initiatives aimed at reducing employment barriers faced by marginalized groups. Participants in WE Inc.’s programs exemplify how such initiatives can promote inclusion and diversity within the local workforce. The bake-off, thus, serves not only as a fundraising effort but also raises awareness regarding the ongoing challenges in employment for individuals with disabilities.

Local policy can be influenced by the visibility of such events, as it sheds light on the need for more inclusive hiring practices and support systems within businesses across Birmingham. Experts suggest that increased community involvement can lead to a stronger push for policy reforms aimed at expanding job opportunities for marginalized populations.

Event Details

The event will feature live music, food trucks, and products for sale from WE Made. Local celebrity judges will assess the participants and award titles such as Grand Champion and Team Spirit awards, while attendees may also vote for a People’s Choice Award. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults, with children under 10 admitted free of charge.

WE Inc. operates the Empower Café, a dining experience that further supports training for individuals facing employment barriers, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to fostering an empowered community.

For those unable to attend the bake-off, donations to WE Inc. are encouraged, providing additional support for their mission of creating a more inclusive labor market.

The Great Birmingham Bake-Off not only adds a festive spirit to the community but also serves as a critical platform for advocating change and inspiring future policies that support equal employment opportunities.

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Additional Resources

• Bham Now: The Great Birmingham Bake-Off
• WBRC: Great Birmingham Bake-Off Coming to Cahaba Brewing Co.
• Bham Now: The Great Birmingham Bake-Off April 6
• Wikipedia: Disability in the Workplace
• Bham Now: 32 April Events in Birmingham