Alanah Melton from Birmingham Chosen for the Prestigious 2025 Next City Vanguard Class

Alanah Melton, the Special Projects Director within the Mayor's Office, has earned a prestigious spot in the 2025 Next City Vanguard Class. She will join 45 emerging urban leaders from across the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from October 6–9, 2025, at the 17th annual Vanguard conference hosted by Next City. As Birmingham’s lead on homelessness strategy, Melton has demonstrated both vision and empathy, implementing policies and initiatives that enhance the lives of the city’s unhoused population. Her selection reflects her dedication to equity-focused public service and her knack for developing innovative, community-oriented solutions to entrenched issues. The Vanguard Conference unites urban experts from diverse fields, including food justice, affordable housing, climate resilience, and community advancement. This year's fellows herald from influential organizations such as the Center for Community Progress and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation. “It’s an honor to represent Birmingham,” Melton remarked. This dynamic event emphasizes reimagining cities through economic, environmental, and racial justice perspectives. For details about the 2025 Vanguard Class, visit: www.nextcity.org/vanguard.