Welcome to Meet The Elite, where we highlight the glowing members of our community. For this rendition, we’ll meet one of the cornerstones of the Birmingham Elite Squad since 2014, Kathryn D.
Why is it “Sweet to be Elite?
What’s not sweet about being Elite? My Elite colleagues are without a doubt the biggest benefit. I went solo to my first Yelp Elite event three years ago and realized very quickly that Birmingham’s Elites are a pretty incredible collection of people. Their friendliness, inclusivity, and genuine interest in the food and entertainment scene was inspiring. Partaking in some of Birmingham’s best food, drinks, and activities is a great perk, but it’s the people I get to enjoy those samplings with that make those experiences super sweet.
What motivates you to write?
I travel a lot for both work and play. Having a crowdsourced and constantly updated resource for finding the most interesting places to eat, drink, and be merry at my fingertips is priceless. I’ve found the neatest places thanks to Yelp. I write reviews because I use Yelp so frequently that I feel some karma-like obligation to give back to the community which has so thoroughly enriched my travel experiences.
What is your favorite local business?
If I have to pick an absolute favorite it would be Redemptive Cycles, a nonprofit bike shop located downtown. Their storefront presents as a typical bike shop with extra benefits like a public workstation, mechanics classes, and yoga classes, but behind the scenes, magic happens. They work tirelessly to provide reliable and independent transportation for Birmingham’s homeless through their Earn-a-Bike program. I’m a sucker for businesses that better their community by giving back and Redemptive is the ultimate example of that.
What do you love about Birmingham?
I love the people of Birmingham: the makers, the scientists, the solution finders. Everywhere you turn, Birminghamians are finding new and innovative ways to propel this city forward to make it even more magical than it already is. Being a young professional here is amazing because the cost of living is low, but the city’s food, music and cultural scenes rival that of other major metropolitan areas.
What would be a “dream” Yelp event for you?
True confession: I’m a total sucker for rooftop anything. I love experiencing a city, especially my own, from the unique perspective that a rooftop offers. I hear that the Redmont Hotel is reopening the space that was previously a rooftop bar. I have no idea what it is slated to be there this fall, but a rooftop patio party with the Birmingham Elite crew would be the sweetest.
About the Yelp Elite Squad: The Yelp Elite Squad is our way of recognizing people who are active in the Yelp community – people who are role models both on and off the site. Elite-worthiness is based on a number of things, including well-written reviews, high quality tips, a detailed personal profile, an active voting and complimenting record, and a history of playing well with others. Elites must use their real name on their account, have a real (and clear!) profile photo, and be of legal drinking age in their country. You can read more, and even nominate yourself at yelp.com/elite
