Library Board

Lynn Flowers-Martin, President

Current Appointment 6/4/19 - 12/31/27

Lynn Flowers-Martin is a native of Birmingham, Alabama and received her formal education in the Birmingham Public Schools and the Jefferson County School System. She attended Shields Elementary, Carver High School and E.B. Erwin High School. Flowers-Martin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), a Master Degree in Elementary Education and an AA Certification in Elementary Education from Alabama State University. She was employed with the Birmingham City Schools for 37 years.

She is affiliated with the Imperial Club, Inc.; Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc. Nu Chapter; Birmingham Arts & Culture Commission Board (Former Member); Board of Directors Virginia Sanford Theatre; Birmingham Education Association; Alabama Education Association; Tri-County (AL) Chapter of the Links, Inc.; Birmingham Retired Chicks; and Forty-Fifth Street Baptist Church. Flowers-Martin is married to Stuart Jeffrey Martin.

Yolanda Hardy, Vice President

Current Appointment 2/1/22 - 12/31/30

Mrs. Yolanda T. Hardy retired from the Birmingham Public Library in September of 2020, as Public Regional Manager, after thirty-seven years. Her career was launched in 1979 as a Library Assistant I (Page) at the Ensley Library.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Historic Miles College and further matriculated to receive a Masters of Library and Information Science, from the University of Alabama.

Mrs. Hardy's career flourished through her civic engagement, partnerships, and philanthropic efforts/support of local stakeholders. She has served the public library system in multiple capacities and locations over the years; Southern/Eastern Regional Manager (nine locations), the Historic Smithfield Library, Titusville Library, Ensley Library, and varied departments of the Central Library. As a public librarian, Mrs. Hardy focused on team development, budgeting, collection management, community engagement, and program development. She furthered her impact by serving several library and community boards (Local Authors Expo, Parker Community School Advisory Board, Citizens Advisory Council). Mrs. Hardy has also received numerous awards from community organizations and civic leaders for her countless efforts.

Mrs. Hardy shares her love of libraries with her husband of forty-two years, Hugh R. Hardy, Jr. (2020 Birmingham Public Library Retiree). They have two beautiful, talented, compassionate children Candice and Brandon (Christian), and two inquisitive grandsons (Mason and Hayes). Mrs. Hardy remains dedicated to impacting the lives of others by providing the highest quality library services and resources to the 99 neighborhoods of greater Birmingham.

Cherie D. Dortch, Parliamentarian

Current Appointment 10/1/24 - 12/31/28

Cherie D. Dortch, a native of Mobile, Alabama, has built a distinguished career in supply chain management and engineering. She holds a Master of Science in Supply Chain and Logistics Management from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University.

In 2000, Cherie moved to Birmingham, Alabama, to join Southern Company as an engineer. She currently serves as a Contracts Agent Senior in Supply Chain Management at Southern Company Services, where she seamlessly supports sourcing and contracting activities from cradle to grave.

Beyond her professional achievements, Cherie is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Omega Chapter in Birmingham, Alabama. Since her initiation in the Fall of 2005, she has held numerous leadership positions and contributed significantly to various committees and community initiatives. She currently serves as the Fundraising Committee chairman and Enhance Our Environment chairman for 2025 and has been an active committee member and chairman/co-chairman for the past 19 years.

Cherie is also actively engaged in her community as a Team Captain with the March of Dimes, having won the 1st Place Sorority/Fraternity award multiple times under her leadership. In addition to serving on the Birmingham Public Library Board, she also serves on the Jones Valley Teaching Farms Advisory Board and the Cultural & Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc.

Cherie's unwavering commitment to her chapter, regional, and community initiatives showcases her leadership, dedication, and passion for service. Her extensive experience and numerous accolades reflect her significant contributions and impact.

Yawntreshia Coleman

Current Appointment 2/1/22 - 12/31/26

Yawntreshia Coleman is a social entrepreneur, climate justice organizer, and education advocate based in Birmingham, AL. Discovering a natural knack for business, she established a consulting firm. In addition, she has started multiple businesses. Coleman serves on several nonprofit boards. She is also a certified Alabama Master Gardener. A resident of District 4, the married mother of 3, expertly balances business, philanthropy, and board service.

R. Jordan Davis

Current Appointment 2/1/22 - 12/31/26

R. Jordan Davis is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and a graduate of The Altamont School.

Jordan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. He has held posts with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, the Stacey Abrams for Governor Campaign, the Atlanta Mayor's Executive Office of Communications, and the Georgia General Assembly. Jordan is currently pursuing a J.D. at The University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to law school, Jordan led voting rights advocacy at Southern Coalition for Social Justice.

He is a resident of District 2, a board member of the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church Community Development Corporation and serves on the Alumni Board for The Altamont School Alumni Association.

Dr. Nadia M. Johnson

Current Appointment 10/1/24 - 12/31/26

Dr. Nadia Monique Johnson is the Founder and CEO of the Black Women's Mental Health Institute, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building awareness of and support for the mental and holistic wellbeing of Black women and girls. BWMHI encourages diverse conversations on mental health through signature programs such as the Mental Health Equity and Liberation Summit, Sister Speak Suicide Awareness Initiative and Voting Matters to Our Mental Health campaign. Through their community counseling program, BWMHI has provided thousands of hours of free mental health services, resulting in bipartisan support for the organization to be written into the Alabama state budget; a state that has historically ranked 50th in mental health care access.

Dr. Johnson is a professor, advocate and trainer. She has spoken at several national events including South by Southwest, State of Black Health Conference, Bronze Lens Film Festival and a Congressional briefing by invitation of Congresswoman Robin Kelly. She has also been quoted, interviewed and featured by Essence, the American Medical Association, Teen Vogue and MSNBC. Most recently, Dr. Johnson was invited to the Power, Innovation and Leadership program; a women's leadership program hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School.

Dana Woodruff

Current Appointment 5/9/23 - 12/31/27

Dana "Lady Woo" Woodruff, a Birmingham native, is the CEO of Vital Entertainment and Media Associates, a company created to capture the arts through service, community events, consulting, and partnerships.

Woodruff is a licensed professional psychotherapist and owner of Vital Life Family Counseling. She fuses communications and counseling to further push the culture in a positive direction by breaking negative cycles and building people up with skills and thrills on the air, in therapy sessions, and the classroom as a college professor.

Lady Woo has been heard on local radio since 2005 and can now be heard daily on V94.9 WATV with Lady Woo's Midday Funsway and the Alabama Broadcaster Award-winning VITAL talk show weekly.

Woo's work has taken her from stages all over the southeast, to Howard University, invited by former FBI Director Jim Comey, for the Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy Lecture Series, and virtually, all over the world, speaking and hosting. Some of her most recent recognitions and community honors have been by Miles College, as a Top 50 under 50 alumni in 2022 and the Birmingham Urban League as the 2022 People's Choice award winner.

She has a unique way of entertaining and uniting people while advocating and addressing issues. Lady Woo's big heart, big brain, and big energy have always been nurtured and supported by her parents Pastor Larry B. and Mrs. Angeline, a dedicated and beloved retired social worker, and the rest of her family. Most parents say that they are not one of their children's little friends, but Woo recognizes her daughter Carmen Sumone as one of her best friends and her biggest motivator.

Niaya T. Nelms, J.D., M.A.

Current Appointment 4/28/2026 - 12/31/30

A Birmingham native and proud product of Birmingham City Schools, Niaya T. Nelms is a dedicated leader in social services, education, workforce development, and community engagement. For more than 12 years, she has worked to advance opportunity, equity, and access for underserved communities throughout Alabama and beyond, leading initiatives that create meaningful and lasting impact.

Mrs. Nelms holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Alabama State University, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Fisk University, and a Juris Doctor from Birmingham School of Law.

A devoted servant leader, Mrs. Nelms is deeply committed to strengthening her community through civic engagement and volunteer service. She currently serves as Vice President of the Jefferson/Shelby County Alabama State University Alumni Association and Communications Chair for the HBCU Association of Birmingham. Her previous leadership roles include Vice Chair of the Birmingham Fisk Alumni Association, member of the Committee of 25 for Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, member of the Birmingham Public Library Young Professionals, and Chair of the Junior Board of the Birmingham Education Foundation. She is also a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was recognized as a member of Alabama State University's 50 Under 50, Class VIII.

In her personal time, Mrs. Nelms enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, reading, listening to music, and traveling. She draws inspiration from Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," a guiding principle that reflects her faith, perseverance, and commitment to service.

As a member of the Birmingham Library Board of Trustees, Mrs. Nelms brings a passion for education, literacy, community empowerment, and lifelong learning, helping to ensure that library resources remain accessible and impactful for all residents.

Sam South

Current Appointment 4/28/2026 - 12/31/30

Sam South is an accomplished communications professional with more than twenty years of experience leading initiatives across public service, higher education, financial services, healthcare, transit, and sports entertainment. She serves as the Director of Communications & External Affairs for the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), where she oversees strategic messaging, community engagement, and executive-level communications for one of Alabama's premier public venues.

Known as a skilled storyteller and connector, Sam develops communication strategies that elevate organizational visibility and strengthen public trust. She is recognized for building partnerships with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies to advance shared goals, expand opportunities, and create meaningful impact.

She is passionate about community engagement and believes that lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and meaningful connections are essential to thriving communities.

Sam is a graduate of Momentum Works and the WE Lead Fellowship, serves on the Northside Community Leadership Team, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Business Management from the University of Montevallo.