Birmingham, Alabama – The YMCA of Greater Birmingham is pleased to name Terri Harvill as new Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA. In addition to leading our Downtown branch, Terri is the association’s Vice President of Social Equity Initiatives and also provides executive leadership to the YMCA Downtown and Northeast Youth Centers as a Regional Executive Director.
Ms. Harvill received her bachelor’s degree (Public Administration) in 1995 from Talladega College and her master’s degree (Organizational Management) from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts in 2007.
A product of the YMCA, Terri was involved in the YMCA Tri-Hi –Y program at Holy Family and West End High Schools through the historic 4th Avenue YMCA. It was this experience that led her to a 30-year career with the YMCA which began immediately after high school starting as a Summer Day Camp counselor at the 4th Avenue YMCA in 1991, followed by Program Director in 1995 at the Northeast YMCA. In 2001, Terri accepted the role of Executive Director for the Northeast Family YMCA in Roebuck, during a time of great community change. She has served in several roles within the YMCA including Executive Director of the Western Area YMCA and YMCA Youth Center and as a District Vice President, supporting the Downtown, Greystone, Alabaster and Trussville YMCAs. She has helped lead our association in the area of Youth Development and Community Health and served as a faculty trainer for the YMCA of the USA.
Terri has received several local and national honors including Birmingham 2014 Best in Minority Business Award and 2014 Inaugural City of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Humanitarian Award. Community partnership and collaboration service includes federal initiatives such as President Obama’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work Community grant, the REACH grant and Alabama’s Healthy Kids/Healthy Communities initiative. She has held leadership roles in the community with Jefferson County’s Health Action Partnership’s Healthy Children and Youth Public Health Advised Fund Project, Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside” initiative and the Steering Committee for Northeast Birmingham Area Framework Plan.
Terri is married to Omar Harvill, local businessman and entrepreneur. They have three sons, Omar Jr., Kolby, and Noah, and a daughter, Kerrin. Terri is involved in the community serving on several boards including Eastside Mental Health Center where she is Vice President of the board, Heart Gallery of Alabama, Jefferson County Children’s Policy Council, Hands@Play and is an active member of the Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When Terri is not leading the YMCA, she does motivational speaking and seminars across the nation for spiritual and secular organizations and forums. She is a published author and licensed/ordained minister who believes that her work at the YMCA is not just a job but a part of her calling.
About the YMCA of Greater Birmingham
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham is a charitable organization dedicated to making our community a healthier place to live. Throughout the Greater Birmingham area, the Y is engaged in every neighborhood, nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving the community’s health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support others. That’s why we focus on our work in three areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Learn more about the YMCA of Greater Birmingham at ymcabham.org.
