Navigator Notes / October 2026
What happens after the referral?
A new home in Ensley, a founder who built her next chapter inside a public library, and three partner programs worth knowing this fall.
Start with your business needThe referral is only the beginning.
Dear Network Navigator community,
For a long time, the measure of good support was the referral. Someone needed help, and we gave them a name. But a name is not a next step. Too many founders get handed a list and then left on their own to work out what fits, what comes first, and who will answer.
Our work is what happens after the referral. First we understand the business. Then we help the owner get ready. Then we make the right connection, in the right order. Then we follow through to see what happened.
In September we opened Junction 1910 in Ensley, and that work now has a physical home. You can start online at NavigateBHM.com or walk in and sit down with a Navigator. Either way, you are not starting over.
The referral isn't the finish line. It's where the next step begins.
Naila Jackson
Founder and Executive Director, Network Navigator
Welcome to our newest members
20 people created Network Navigator member accounts in September 2026. 15 of them joined after Junction 1910 opened on September 14. Welcome. We are glad you are here.
Please welcome Marcus Lee, Deborah Prewett, Lydia Adams, Torrence DeyAmpert, Meoshia Abrams, Megyn Rodriguez, Adrian Coleman, Donald Stone and Judson Young.
If you have not yet told us what your business needs, start there. It is the fastest way for us to point you to the right help.
Nonprofit leaders at the Nonprofit Leadership Luncheon, powered by CARA, at Junction 1910.
Tiffaney Strayhorne and NOIR
Tiffaney Strayhorne is the owner of Pauline's Fine Cakes, Desserts and Catering. This summer she opened NOIR Café with Tierra Robinson-Jeter, founder of LaFleur Coffee Boutique. NOIR sits inside the Hoover Public Library at 200 Municipal Drive and serves specialty coffee, handcrafted pastries, curated brunch and catering.
The turn started with a connection. Network Navigator introduced Tiffaney to Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance (CARA). Becoming part of CARA changed the direction of her business. It gave her the support, structure and relationships to plan for more than the next order.
From there she joined the 4C Accelerator, where she met Tierra. Two owners with complementary businesses saw a bigger idea together. That idea became NOIR.
According to WBRC, a $5,000 grant from the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International helped them open debt free. The café also includes a planned youth internship and workforce development program.
This is what happens after the referral. One introduction led to a program, the program led to a partner, and the partnership led to a new business on Main Street.
NOIR opened on June 10. It is open Wednesday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 to 5 PM, per noirbham.com. Tiffaney was also honored at the 2026 Network Navigator Small Business Awards.
Junction 1910 is open
We cut the ribbon on Junction 1910 on September 14. It is a new entrepreneurial resource hub in Ensley and the home of Network Navigator. The same week, nonprofit leaders gathered at the Junction for the Nonprofit Leadership Luncheon, powered by CARA.
17 entrepreneurs started with a Junction 1910 intake in the first ten days. The need we heard most was capital: startup money, equipment and property. Each intake is a starting point for a Navigator to understand the business and connect the owner to the right next step.
- Where
- 1801 19th Street, Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218
- Opened
- September 14, 2026
- Counted
- Intakes as of September 24
Three things on our radar
Naila Jackson is Lovable's Birmingham City Lead
Source: LovableLovable is a tool that lets people build websites and apps by describing what they want in plain language, without writing code. As City Lead, Naila is bringing hands-on build sessions to Birmingham entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and partner programs, starting with VIBE + BUILD on October 15.
City of Birmingham Legacy Forward grants close October 2
Source: City of Birmingham IEOLegacy Forward is the City's pilot grant and technical assistance program for businesses that have operated in Birmingham for 25 years or more. Ten selected businesses complete a six-week course and become eligible for a $10,000 grant. It is part of LEGACY BHM, led by the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.
Birmingham joins a national AI Readiness Lab
Source: Emily Jerkins Hall on LinkedInBirmingham is one of six regions in AIRLab, launched by Opportunity@Work and the Brookings Institution to study how AI is changing entry-level jobs and how to protect career ladders. Emily Jerkins Hall of Bloom Economy Labs is part of the Birmingham team.
Three partner programs worth knowing
Credit and details belong to each partner. Follow the link to their own page.
Urban Impact
INSPIRE, a culinary entrepreneurship pathway
Urban Impact's INSPIRE program gives food entrepreneurs business education, commercial kitchen access with flexible membership, chances to test products at pop-ups, and technical assistance and mentorship to grow.
Read at the sourceCreate Birmingham
Create Consults, one-on-one expert guidance
This fall Create Birmingham is partnering with Welch Financial Group to offer one-on-one consulting to CO.STARTERS alumni. As of September 28, Create Birmingham's page says applications are open and sessions begin in October.
Read at the sourceAlabama Launchpad
Joseph Rusk and The BreadBoard Company
Alabama Launchpad reports that Joseph Rusk submitted his application with one minute left before the deadline. His $2,500 finalist stipend funded his first 1,000 beginner electronics kits and real product testing with kids.
Read at the source
Opportunities and funding, kept current
Open opportunities
Contracts, programs and calls for applications, updated as they open and close.
OpenComing up
A few rooms worth being in this month. The full list is on the calendar.
- Oct7
CARA and PNC Financial Literacy Workshop: Credit Scores and Reports
Hoover Chamber of Commerce, 8:30 AM CT
- Oct13
Network Navigator at Five Points West Library
Birmingham Public Library, Five Points West, 5:30 to 7:00 PM CT
- Oct15
VIBE + BUILD for nonprofit leaders
Junction 1910, 5:00 to 7:00 PM CT. Bring a laptop and build a practical digital tool
- Oct15
Practical AI for Business Leaders
Auburn Harbert, Auburn University in Birmingham, 9:00 AM CT
- Oct22
Black Small Business and Nonprofit Community Clinic
Virtual, 12:00 PM CT. Free legal help
The Navigator Note
You have two front doors now. NavigateBHM.com is open any hour. Junction 1910 is open in Ensley at 1801 19th Street.
Come through either one with your business need. We will help you understand it, get ready, and make the connection that comes next.