Whitman, Alabama Opens Just Ahead of America’s 250th Celebration

BIRMINGHAM, AL (July 1, 2026) – The Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) is inviting travelers to visit Whitman, Alabama during their next trip through the terminal. Whitman, Alabama is a documentary
film series that features Alabamians, a famous Walt Whitman poem, and the beautiful landscape and rich culture that make up this state.

Artist, filmmaker, and journalist Jennifer 張 Crandall and her team have created a National Emmy-nominated film series that invites people across Alabama to give voice to verses from Whitman’s “Song of Myself.” The result is a beautiful, multilayered film that is not only a real-world journey into the lives of Alabamians, but truly a portrait of America. As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, Whitman, Alabama serves as a timely meditation on America itself and the idea that our many voices together form our shared song.

Crandall was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Haiti. She has lived and worked all over the world, which included some time in Alabama working as a journalist. “Alabamians have been incredibly welcoming and generous,” said Crandall. “This project is my attempt to offer a complex portrait of a people and a place – one that invites every American into conversation. An airport is the perfect place for that. It’s a transitional space where we are often more open to contemplating who we are and who we might be, and to seeing the world and others differently,” said Crandall.

After successful exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and significant adoption by educators and community leaders, the film has proven its ability to spark connection and civic reflection. “You don’t have to be a lover of poetry or even familiar with the work of Walt Whitman to be captivated by the words and this idea that all of us breathe the same air,” said Ashby Pate, Chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority. “This documentary will open eyes and hearts to the magic of words, the beauty of phenomenal photography, and incredible artistry that tells our collective story in such a unique way,” said Pate.

The BAA is committed to enhancing the customer experience at the airport. As travelers are encouraged to arrive early for their flights, offering unique, calming experiences in the terminal can help people decompress before they’re called to board. Art exhibits throughout the terminal give travelers reason to slow down and contemplate something other than wait times and pending weather delays. “We hope travelers will take 5 or 10 minutes to relax and enjoy this visual storytelling that really transcends the way we typically view our neighbors and communities,” said Pate.

The exhibition is located right next to the Living Wall at the connection of Concourse B and C. It will be open around the clock for the next twelve months. Travelers who find themselves with extra time while waiting on a flight are free to walk in, have a seat, and enjoy a visit to Whitman, Alabama. The film is made up of 4-5 minute pieces, each built around a verse of Whitman’s poem. Crandall’s team includes Alabama grown talent: Director of Photography Bob Miller, Producer Chip Brantley, and Cinematographer Ginnard Archibald.

Media Contact: Kim Hunt
Birmingham Airport Authority
khunt@flybhm.com
#205-510-6676

About Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

As Alabama’s largest commercial airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has served as a gateway to the sky for more than 95 years. Governed by the Birmingham Airport Authority, the airport continues to be a catalyst for growth and economic development for the entire region. For more information, visit flybhm.com or follow BHM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.