In Alabama, friendships are changing lives. Best Buddies in Alabama is on a mission to build a more inclusive world by connecting people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through school chapters, adult programs, and statewide events, the organization creates opportunities for friendship, leadership, and belonging in every corner of the state.

One of the brightest examples of that mission is Mary White.

When Mary was born, doctors weren’t sure if she would ever walk or talk. She began therapy at just six weeks old and spent much of her childhood at Children’s of Alabama. Today, she not only walks but runs on a track team. She not only talks but travels across the country as a speaker, advocate, and leader.

Mary is part of Best Buddies Citizens Birmingham, Alabama’s first Citizens chapter. She joined hoping to make friends but found something even bigger, a community that believed in her and gave her the confidence to use her voice. Through Best Buddies, Mary has spoken to audiences in Montgomery, New York City, and at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference, where she shared her story in front of more than 2,500 people.

“I learned that it’s all about what you can do, not what you can’t do,” Mary says. “Best Buddies helped me find my voice and my people.”

When Mary isn’t speaking or volunteering, she works at Children’s of Alabama in the Speech and Hearing Clinic, a dream she’s had since childhood. She also hosts The Awesome Mary Show, a podcast and YouTube series that celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of people with disabilities. We’re so thankful for participants like Mary, whose passion and positivity inspire everyone around her.

Best Buddies in Alabama continues to grow through programs like Citizens, Ambassadors, and school chapters that teach students the value of inclusion. The annual Champion of the Year Gala brings these friendships and stories together, celebrating the advocates and community leaders who make inclusion possible. Funds raised at the gala support local programs and help expand Best Buddies to more schools and cities across Alabama.

From Birmingham to Montgomery to Mobile, Best Buddies Alabama is showing what can happen when people choose connection over separation. Every friendship formed and every story shared brings us one step closer to a state where everyone belongs.

As Mary puts it best, “I love my life.”

That joy, courage, and love for others capture the heart of Best Buddies in Alabama — a community built on the simple belief that everyone deserves a friend.