Birmingham City Schools welcomed author, activist, athlete, entrepreneur and Lumi founder Colin Kaepernick today for a special Lumi Student Showcase celebrating the creativity, research and storytelling of middle school scholars.
The event was held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in the auditorium of J.H. Phillips Academy and featured student exhibitions, presentations and recognitions from Birmingham City Schools scholars who used Lumi Story AI, a classroom-safe artificial intelligence platform created by Kaepernick.
Hundreds of BCS students in grades 6-8 used Lumi to conduct research and create graphic novels centered on the 1963 Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Through the project, students strengthened their writing, creativity, critical thinking and communication skills while using technology to connect with Birmingham’s history in a meaningful way.
Several students from various BCS schools were recognized during the showcase and had the opportunity to present their work before peers, dignitaries, community members, BCS staff, central office administrators and Kaepernick.
“The future of learning is here, and Birmingham City Schools is proud to provide our scholars with innovative tools that help them think critically, write creatively and connect deeply with our city’s history,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools. “Through this partnership with Colin Kaepernick and Lumi, our students are not just learning about the 1963 Children’s March, they are using research, storytelling and technology to honor that legacy in their own voices. This showcase is a powerful example of what happens when history, literacy and innovation come together in the classroom.”
Lumi Story AI provides structured, guided AI interactions focused on storytelling, narrative creation and content sequencing. Unlike open-ended chatbots, Lumi is goal-oriented, curriculum-aligned and designed with teacher oversight, allowing students to use AI in a safe, age-appropriate and meaningful way.
Birmingham City Schools and Kaepernick formed a partnership in December 2025 to introduce students to Lumi and support standards-based writing development through safe, structured and interactive AI-assisted learning experiences.
The Lumi Student Showcase highlighted how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly in education to elevate student voice, strengthen literacy skills and promote deeper engagement with history.