United Way of Southwest Alabama will bring community impact to the forefront during its 2026 Annual Meeting and Campaign Kickoff on Thursday, August 27, at Crown Hall in Mobile.

A special Community Impact Panel will give guests an opportunity to hear directly from people whose lives have been touched by services provided by United Way partner agencies. FOX10 Anchor and Executive Producer Lenise Ligon will lead the conversation with panelists Lori Myles, Crystal, Danielle Faircloth, and Gwendolyn McGrew Dale.

Their experiences connect to the work of Drug Education Council, Dumas Wesley Community Center, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast. Rather than simply talking about programs, statistics, and services, the panel will bring the work into a personal perspective and show what community support can mean in the lives of individuals and families.

Each panelist brings a different perspective to the conversation. Without giving away what they will share, their discussion will help illustrate why strong community partnerships matter and how United Way partner agencies meet people at different points in their lives.

The Annual Meeting will also celebrate the volunteers, businesses, and organizations that make this work possible. United Way will present volunteer recognition and awards honoring outstanding participation in the 2025 Campaign before officially launching the 2026 Campaign.

Keynote speaker Ronnie Stallworth, Sr., bestselling author of Cracks in the Wall, will share his remarkable journey from homelessness and poverty to corporate leadership. His message encourages audiences to recognize potential, overcome obstacles, and help others succeed. Stallworth’s own experience of having someone recognize his potential and open the door to opportunity complements a morning centered on the difference people and organizations can make when they invest in others. Following the program, Stallworth will be available for a book signing. Seating is limited, and individual tickets are $150. Sponsorship opportunities with reserved seating are also available.

Doors open and breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m., with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Crown Hall, 653 St. Louis Street in Mobile. Stallworth will be available for a book signing following the program. Individual tickets are $150, and seating is limited.

The 2026 Annual Meeting will celebrate what our community has accomplished together while keeping the focus where it belongs: on the people whose lives are strengthened when our community comes together.

Purchase tickets online at https://26-unitedway-AM.eventbrite.com.

For more information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lauren Luckie-Merz at lluckie@uwswa.org or 251.433.3624.

United Is The Way™.