Population: 683 (2019)
County: Bullock
About: Midway, AL, sits in the southeastern part of the state. Sitting at the edge of Alabama’s Black Belt, the area is filled with low hills and irregular ridges that encapsulate it as hill prairie country. The area was home to the Creek Indians, but settler colonialism increased during the Indian Removal Act, and they were forcibly displaced. It was the site of the last major battle with Native Americans in Alabama. The region’s fertile soil and ample water supply drew in wealthy settlers who relied on enslaved people to work their plantations in the center of the cotton industry. After the Civil War, many freed African Americans remained in the area as tenant farmers or sharecroppers. In 1922, the Old Merritt School was built as a school for African American children. It is one of the few surviving of the more than 5,000 African American schools built with contributions from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, and it now acts as a community center. During the civil rights movement, African Americans faced voter disenfranchisement in the form of poll taxes and written tests. In 1958, James A. Grady, Sid Pruitt, George Russell, and Mable Smith were the first African American registered voters in Bullock County. Today, Midway is over 95% African American.
Fun Fact: Midway is the birthplace of Harold Pierce, the founder of Harold’s Chicken Shack, and Jerrel Jernigan, a wide receiver for the New York Giants!
Bonus Fun Fact: In 1922, the Old Merritt School was built as a school for African American children. It is one of the few surviving of the more than 5,000 African American schools built with contributions from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, and it now acts as a community center.
Community Liaison Kimberly Foster-Young represented ENI at the 2023 Ride 4 Autism 
Community Liaison Kimberly Foster-Young is the founder of the Bullock County Autism Society. Every year they host the Ride 4 Autism fundraiser, a way to raise money and awareness for autism. 
• Residents of Midway support Alabama Unites Against COVID, the Alabama Department of Public Health’s campaign that stresses the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as testing
Resources
News and More
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Embracing the Spectrum During Autism Awareness Month | April 17, 2023
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Little Things Matter: How Exercise Can Improve Your Community | December 9, 2022
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Midway Welcomes ENI | December 13, 2021
Meet the Midway Community Liaison, Kimberly Foster-Young
ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community Liaisons act as a resource to help communities shape ENI to fit their needs and wants. If you want to learn more or get involved with ENI, reach out to your Community Liaison.
Kimberly Foster-Young is native of Midway, Alabama. She is the daughter of Judy Foster and Willie Young of Midway, Alabama. She has one son, Ke’Morris Foster. Recently, Kimberly married the love of her life, Michael Young. Kimberly’s hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling, and helping those in need of her assistance.
Kimberly is a lifelong member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Midway, Alabama, where she serves on many auxiliaries: a member of the Youth Choir and Hospitality Ministry. She loves the Lord and believes in doing His will. Kimberly was educated in the Bullock County Public School System, graduating in the Class of 2000 from Bullock County High School in Union Springs, Alabama. In recent years, Kimberly graduated from Jes Health Service, LLC in Montgomery, Alabama, where she received her Phlebotomy Certification.
She is employed by Kolbe Detox and East Central Mental Health in Union Springs, Alabama. Outside of family and work life, Kimberly is extremely active in the community, serving as an advocate for Autism. Kimberly was awarded the 2022 Women of Valor Social Action award from the Tuskegee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is the President of the Bullock County Autism Association, a member of the Pink Pearls Breast Cancer Club, and former Worthy Matron for the Order of Eastern Stars. Kimberly is a true example of Matthew 5:16, people see her light shining and glorifies God for her goodness.
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