Multicultural Alabama

Thanks to the Alabama Bonsai Society for sharing this info about the bonsai garden at Aldridge Gardens!

Did you know that we have a Bonsai Terrace here at Aldridge Gardens? Be sure to check it out the next time you visit!

Aki Dale of Hoover shares her story with People of Alabama about moving to Alabama from Japan:

“I cried for the first month because I think I have an accent. It was hard for them to understand. I have a thicker skin now. I even tell them, ‘Hey, I have an accent. If you don't understand me, tell me.’ I want to have a clear communication with everybody. I’m an ambassador for myself. I tell everyone, ‘Hey, I’m Aki. I’m from Japan,’ so people don’t have to be like, ‘Where are you from?’

Dale says Alabama is now a part of her thanks to more people she has met and Southern hospitality. “Alabama is like a second home."

What brought you to Alabama?

“I always tell this to everyone; my husband imported me. He was stationed in Japan. I'm originally from Okinawa. When he was stationed, we were friends for maybe like a year or two. One day, we just liked each other. It was so wild. I moved a month later to be with him. Back in 2017, we came back to Alabama. He’s from Russellville. Moving here, I didn't know nobody. I felt very lonely for first time. Also, being Asian was really hard, especially the first store I worked. I cried for the first month because I think I have an accent. It was hard for them to understand. I have a thicker skin now. I even tell them, ‘Hey, I have an accent. If you don't understand me, tell me.’ I want to have a clear communication with everybody. I don't feel lonely anymore because I can make a change. I don’t have to wait. I’m an ambassador for myself. I'm an advocate for me. I tell everyone, ‘Hey, I’m Aki. I’m from Japan,’ so people don’t have to be like, ‘Where are you from?’ – Aki Dale, of Hoover. (Her name is pronounced Ah-kee.)

Dale says Alabama is now a part of her thanks to more people she has met and Southern hospitality. “Alabama is like a second home. I feel like I’m rooting myself in this state. It’s becoming comforting to me because if I go to any other state and come back to Alabama, I feel like home. The people make it home to me, the people I have around me.”

Those people include her best friend who is a huge Alabama fan. Dale and her husband are Auburn fans. “That’s one thing that I’ve experienced that is like a super Alabama thing. He always told me about it, and I never really like believed it. It’s serious. That’s on my bucket list. I want to go to the Iron Bowl. I want to be in that moment. It might be really crazy,” she said. (part 1 of 2)

See more stories on alabamanewscenter.com.

This 12-year-old Birmingham boy recently released his debut novel, inspired by his Asian heritage and love of scary stories.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved the horror genre,” Juda Maha said.

Birmingham 12-year-old releases debut novel at local bookstore A 12-year-old Birmingham boy is releasing his debut novel on Friday, inspired by his Asian heritage and love of scary stories.

Get your tickets now for the "Merry-achi Christmas" show at the Oxford Performing Arts Center !

Mariachi Sol de Mexico: Merry-Achi Christmas | Oxford Performing Arts Center The Oxford Performing Arts Center is the region's primary arts and entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Oxford, Alabama. The venue is comprised of a 1,200 seat main theatre, a 200 seat Studio theatre, and two art galleries. Since opening in May of 2013, the Oxford Performing Arts Cen...

Get your tickets for Auburn's Oktoberfest today!

We're so excited for Oktoberfest 2023! Tickets are going fast and you don't want to miss the fun! Purchase your tickets today at auoktoberfest.com/tickets for our kickoff dinner on Sept 22 and our main event on Sept 23!

This Sunday at 11 am, join the Caribbean Association of North Alabama for music and fun!

Bring the kids to the Park on Sept 3rd for FREE face painting, Petting ZOO and much more at the 6th Annual Caribbean Day in the Park in at John Hunt Park weekend festival

Check out these Thai restaurants in Birmingham!

Love Thai food? Check out these local spots serving up incredible Thai dishes Birmingham has an amazing food scene, including places offering delicious Thai dishes. Check out our list below of places in The Magic City serving delicious Thai food.

Congrats to Puerto Rican Leida Javier-Ferrell, the president of the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast and a This is Alabama 2023 Women Who Shape the State honoree! Nominations for next year's nominees open next week!

“I'm wearing colors because I'm from Puerto Rico. We’re colorful people. And secondly, this is in honor of my daughter-in-law, Rebecca, that died last summer, and it was her dress. I only have a son, and she gave me a beautiful grandson. She loved my Puerto Rican cooking. She was just a lovely person. She was just amazing and full of life and full of love and so happy. I loved her and she loved me. Live every day. Have an open mind. Don't get into the prejudices and things like that. She loved my son so much. Just love life and live it every day because you never know.” - Leida Javier-Ferrell, of Mobile. She's the president of Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast.

Javier-Ferrell is a This is Alabama 2023 Women Who Shape the State honoree. Meet more honorees at bit.ly/3ZnfSyf and learn more about her at bit.ly/3ytJakb.