Irondale’s Mayor Stewart Is the Only Alabama Leader Selected for National Early Childhood Policy Fellowship

IRONDALE, ALABAMA — Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. has been selected to join the next cohort of the Early Learning Nation (ELN) Policy Fellows, an invitation-only national fellowship of The Hunt Institute developed in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation. The fellowship selects just one leader per state, and Stewart is Alabama’s sole representative in the incoming class. The six-month fellowship, running from September 2026 to February 2027, brings together 20 to 30 mayors, county commissioners, and city and county council members from across the country who are committed to building strong early childhood systems in their communities.

Stewart’s selection highlights Irondale’s proactive efforts in addressing local challenges: from MAX On-Demand transit to a new after-school partnership with the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, the city is making tangible progress in supporting families and children.

“Every child in Irondale deserves the best possible start in life, and that start begins long before kindergarten,” said Mayor Stewart. “I am honored to be the only leader selected from Alabama, and to bring what I learn back home, as we continue building an Irondale where families have access to quality, affordable early childhood programs and every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

For Stewart, the fellowship is not a starting point — it is an acceleration of work Irondale has already put in motion. The city launched MAX On-Demand, its on-demand transit service, in part to remove one of the most stubborn barriers facing working mothers: reliable transportation to get children to school and parents to work. The city has also repurposed its former public library building into a home for a new partnership with the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, providing Irondale students a safe place for after-school learning from 3 to 6 p.m. — extending the school day’s impact while giving a beloved city building a second life.

“We know transportation and after-school hours are two of the biggest barriers our working families face, and we are attacking both,” Stewart said. “Alabama already has one of the best early childhood education programs of any state in the country. The earlier we reach a child, the stronger that child will be — and that is exactly what we are doing in the City of Irondale.”

The fellowship equips locally elected officials with the knowledge, networks, and tools to advance early childhood policy. According to The Hunt Institute, affordable, accessible child care increases workforce participation, boosts local business productivity, and holds the promise of long-term savings for taxpayers.

Stewart will join fellows from across the country in virtual and in-person programming, including the Early Childhood Leadership Summit, September 16–18 in Westminster, Colorado. Irondale will also receive technical assistance from The Hunt Institute tailored to the city’s goals.

The science behind the fellowship’s focus is striking: according to The Hunt Institute, 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before kindergarten entry at age five. This critical window underscores the importance of Irondale’s early childhood initiatives and the city’s commitment to leveraging this research for community benefit.

Mayor Stewart’s selection reflects Irondale’s growing momentum, as the city builds on the largest private investment in its history, new $11 million public library, and a host of major development projects.

About The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 2001 by four-term North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. An affiliate of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, the Institute informs and equips elected officials on key issues in education, from early childhood through the workforce. Learn more at hunt-institute.org.

About the Early Learning Nation Policy Fellowship

Developed by The Hunt Institute in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation, the Early Learning Nation (ELN) Policy Fellowship is an invitation-only, six-month program designed to equip locally elected leaders with the knowledge, networks, and tools to effectively engage in early childhood policy and establish their communities as national leaders for young children and families.