By Bill Day
A Conversation with SMART Choices Founders Tony & Tawanna Lloyd and the Black Contractors Association – Alabama Chapter
Interview Moderated by: Bill Day
Guests: Tony & Tawanna Lloyd, Founders of SMART Choices Youth Empowerment Program
Jarrod Sims, President of the Black Contractors Association – Alabama Chapter
BILL DAY:
We’re here today for a conversation that I think is long overdue—and right on time. I have the pleasure of speaking with two amazing community builders, Tony and Tawanna Lloyd, the founders of the SMART Choices Youth Empowerment Program. I’m also joined by our President of the Black Contractors Association – Alabama Chapter, Mr. Jarrod Sims. We’re diving into youth empowerment, community collaboration, and the upcoming SMART Choices Empower-Meant Camp on April 26th at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church – Thomas, where Jarrod will be speaking and presenting Chromebook laptops to two deserving young people.
First off—Tony, Tawanna, thank you for being here and for the years of work you’ve poured into Birmingham. What sparked the creation of SMART Choices?
TAWANNA LLOYD:
Thank you, Bill—and thank you, Mr. Sims, for standing with us. SMART Choices started in 2011 out of our own lived experiences. We saw too many of our youth—bright, talented, full of potential—getting lost. Whether it was the streets, the lack of guidance, or cycles of trauma, they weren’t getting the tools they needed to choose better. So, we created SMART Choices to become that voice and vision they could turn to.
TONY LLOYD:
Exactly. We wanted to meet them where they are. We knew it would take more than just saying “do better”—we had to show them how. We had to equip them with real strategies, confidence, and mentorship to make smart, informed decisions. This program is about giving youth a new narrative for their lives. We talk about discipline, health, overcoming trauma, conflict resolution—you name it. We’ve worked in schools, with churches, court programs—wherever the need is.
BILL DAY:
That mission resonates deeply with us at the Black Contractors Association. Jarrod, you’ve been talking about connecting more young people to the construction industry, to economic empowerment, and to pride in community. What made this partnership with SMART Choices stand out to you?
JARROD SIMS:
Thanks, Bill. And first, let me say thank you to Tony and Tawanna for letting me be a part of this amazing event on April 26th. This work is sacred—it’s healing and empowering at the same time. What stood out is how mission-aligned we are. At BCAAC, our core mission is to increase the participation of Black men and women in the commercial construction industry—not just because we want more contractors, but because we believe economic justice is social justice.
When young people see they can build something—literally build it—they understand they have power. That’s how we help our youth shift from survival mode to vision mode. SMART Choices gives them the mental and emotional tools, and BCAAC wants to help open the career doors. Together, that’s real transformation.
BILL DAY:
I love that—from survival mode to vision mode. Let’s talk a bit about the Empower-Meant Camp coming up on April 26. It’s focused on Discipline and Self-Discipline—why did you choose that theme, and what do you hope the young people take away from that session?
TAWANNA LLOYD:
Discipline is one of those foundational things. You can’t dream big and follow through without it. It’s not just about rules—it’s about inner strength, emotional control, time management, even self-respect. We’re targeting boys ages 11 to 17 in this session because we want them to see that self-discipline is freedom—freedom to pursue your goals, to stay out of trouble, and to lead your own life.
TONY LLOYD:
Absolutely. And look, we know what these boys are up against. The pressure to “man up” too early, the temptation of fast money, the influence of social media—if we don’t give them another way, they’ll follow what’s loudest. This camp is quieting the noise and giving them space to grow.
JARROD SIMS:
And from a construction lens—discipline is everything. You can’t build a building without precision, planning, and follow-through. So these life lessons directly translate into the workforce. I plan to talk to them about how I had to discipline myself to become a contractor, a business owner, and a leader. It wasn’t overnight—it was consistent choices over time. That’s what this event is helping to teach.
BILL DAY:
Jarrod, I’m glad you mentioned that, because it’s not just talk—you’re showing up with tangible support. Your companies are donating two Chromebook laptops to be awarded to outstanding participants. Why is that important to you?
JARROD SIMS:
Because when we say we’re investing in our youth, it’s got to be more than words. These laptops represent opportunity. Maybe one of those young people will use it to learn a trade, start a business, or simply complete schoolwork more effectively. We can’t close the achievement gap if we’re not closing the technology gap too. We wanted to give something meaningful, and we’re honored to present those awards at the end of the camp.
BILL DAY:
I have to say, seeing our organizations come together like this gives me hope. What do you all see on the horizon? How do we build on this energy beyond April 26?
TONY LLOYD:
We’d love to grow SMART Choices into something even more immersive. Year-round programming. Mentorship pipelines. Trade partnerships. And that’s why collaborating with BCAAC makes so much sense—these young people need pathways. When a 15-year-old sees someone who looks like them building a library or leading a workforce team, it rewires what’s possible.
TAWANNA LLOYD:
Exactly. And we also want to focus more on young girls in future camps—because they’re dealing with their own set of pressures. The Chromebook award going to one boy and one girl reflects that. We want equity in empowerment.
JARROD SIMS:
On our end, we’re working on developing workforce development bootcamps that bring youth into real construction experiences. I’m talking about job shadowing, hands-on tools training, and even internships. We want SMART Choices to be a referral partner. If you have a youth who completes your program, we want to be able to say, “Okay, let’s put you on a path toward a job, a skill, a trade.”
It’s also part of our mission to reconnect youth to the legacy of Black builders. We’ve always been master carpenters, bricklayers, architects—and we need our youth to know that.
BILL DAY:
That’s powerful. One last question: What do you want the community to know about this event, and how can they support?
TAWANNA LLOYD:
We want the community to know—you’re needed. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a pastor, or a neighbor, your voice matters. Bring your son, your nephew, your mentee to the Empower-Meant Camp. Be a part of the solution.
TONY LLOYD:
And support doesn’t always mean money—though that helps too. Sometimes support means sharing a flyer, volunteering, or simply showing up. These kids need to see that we believe in them.
JARROD SIMS:
I’ll say this: April 26th is just the beginning. If you want to see change in our communities, this is where it starts. Discipline. Self-discipline. Unity. Mentorship. Access. Legacy. Come out to Mt. Hebron. Let’s build something together.
Event Details Recap:
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time Slot: 830 AM – 3:30PM
Audience: Boys Ages 11–17
Topic: Discipline & Self-Discipline
Location: Mt. Hebron Baptist Church – Thomas
Address: 503 5th Street Thomas, Birmingham, AL 35224
Special Highlights: Chromebook Laptop Presentation (1 Boy & 1 Girl) at 2:45 PM
Camp Ends: 3:30 PM
Final Words from Jarrod Sims:
“To the youth, I say: You have the power to build your own future. And to the community, I say: Let’s hand them the tools. Thank you to Tony and Tawanna Lloyd, and thank you Birmingham—for believing that change is possible.”
Stay connected. Stay committed. Let’s make SMART choices—and build smarter communities.
EmpowerMeantCamp #BCAAC #SmartChoices #BuildingTheFuture #DisciplineMatters #BlackYouthEmpowerment #BirminghamStrong #UnitedInProgress
