By Erica Wright
The Birmingham Times
Few know Birmingham—its streets, its schools, its churches—as well as Cornell Wesley, the recently named director of the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO).
Wesley, the youngest of three children, grew up in the North Titusville community and attended Glen Iris Elementary School — where he was part of the first class to be bused in — Center Street Middle School, and A. H. Parker High School. As a teen he was called to preach and delivered his first trial sermon at his home church, South Elyton Baptist Church, before leaving his hometown for Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.