Alabama Bright Lights – Cathy Sloss from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Cathy Sloss Jones lives by something she learned from her father: to keep an open heart and an open mind.

When you meet Cathy Sloss Jones, you realize this is not just something she says. She comes across as someone who is modest, someone who is deflecting the spotlight towards others, and as someone who is fair and inclusive to all people – especially those who have not.

We sat in her office, Sloss Real Estate, overlooking the city and filled with maps of neighborhoods and plans for future projects. She gazed over the city and started telling me her story:

“My grandfather, Arthur Page Sloss, Sr. started our real estate firm, (then called Shepherd-Sloss) in 1920. He and my father had worked together for many years when I joined the company in 1975. My father will be 90 this year and still comes to work every day. He is a delight to work with and always has been. In 1986, we began working in the Lakeview District and in 1988 we purchased the old Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant. We have worked hard for over 25 years to build a vibrant and creative district for Birmingham and that work is bearing fruit. Pepper Place currently consists of over 350,000 square feet of space and contributes $63 million dollars a year to Birmingham’s economy.”

A growing market

The Pepper Place Farmers Market attracts over 10,000 people to the neighborhood every Saturday morning from April – December. The market grew from 7 tents in 2000 to over 100 tents today with more than 75 family farms participating. It features locally grown fruits, vegetables, cheese, honey, baked goods, as well as creative artisans, chef demonstrations and live music. It is ranked nationally as one of the best farmers markets in the country.

“When we started the market, Alabama family farms were in real trouble. Many people have been involved through the years and today can all be proud to have played such a significant role in creating a support system for our farmers. Small farms are now alive and well in our community and in our state, thanks to the wonderful network of people that support the market.

Pepper Place has been written up in the New York Times, in Preservation Magazine and many other national and local publications. It recently won an award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute of Atlanta.

Other city projects

Another one of Cathy’s big accomplishments is development of the Hope VI Project at Park Place, formerly Metropolitan Gardens. She along with an Atlanta partner helped to create this mixed income community that that includes a school, a YMCA, a Youth Development Center, and The Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

Cathy attended the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University from 2006 to 2008 where she learned about the evolution of cities, local food systems, and sustainable building design. She has worked with mayors on city planning and continues being one of the leading authorities on the subject. Another non-profit where she serves as the chair, The Lakeshore Foundation, supports individuals with physical disabilities by way of programs, research and advocacy.

When asked about how she feels to see all of her projects helping so many people, she puts on the modest hat again:

“The Farmers Market is a great example of how happy I am feeling about our city these days. I am grateful to have been a part of this outstanding community of individuals who care about the foods we eat (it makes my heart sing). There are so many wonderful people our farmers, chefs, artisans, customers and musicians. We have a great board of directors and staff that support these efforts. I love Birmingham. We are so lucky to live in a place, where we can make an impact as individuals.”

Cathy Sloss Jones continues to reach across the community to make a lasting impact. She will also continue living with an open heart and an open mind.