Our Story

Selma is located on the Alabama River in Dallas County, Alabama and has a rich history.  First incorporated on December 4, 1820, the town was able to grow due to how close it was to the state capital, which was Cahaba (Cahawba) at the time.  After the capital moved to Tuscaloosa in 1826, Selma began to compete with Cahaba for the county seat -- in which Selma got in 1866.  Being located in Alabama’s Black Belt, named for its dark and fertile soil, cotton trade bolstered the economy.  Also, the proximity to the Alabama River and many railroads, allowed Selma to become a major transportation hub by the start of the Civil War.  Near the end of the Civil War in 1865, at the Battle of Selma, much of the military and residential areas of Selma were burned to the ground, an event that would take the community years to recover from. 

In the early 1900’s, Selma was hit by boll weevils, causing the region to shift from cotton to timber and soybeans.  The Great Depression also took a toll on the town.  However, the area’s economy was able to improve greatly at the start of World War II with the establishment of Craig Field.  This military establishment trained over 9,000 pilots for the war and provided economic uplift until its closing in 1977. 

The most notable events in Selma’s history occurred in 1965.  Following the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson that February, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference organized a march from Selma to Montgomery to protest voting rights for African Americans.  On March 7, 1965, protestors attempted to begin the march; however, they were met with violence by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.  This event, known as Bloody Sunday, did not deter the protestors.  On March 9, led by Dr. King, the protestors set out again.  When they reached the bridge, police were blocking the way again.  However, after demonstrators stopped and prayed, the police stepped aside, and the march continued. 

Today, Selma is known as the “Queen City of the Blackbelt” and still serves as the county seat for Dallas County. In January 2023, a tragedy occured. A massive EF-2 tornado went straight through the downtown area of Selma. 

Son Light assists people in need throughout Alabama by operating a food center, thrift store, and disaster relief center. Son Light operates two thrift stores in order to support the Centers: one in Jemison, one in Selma. Funds from the store have assisted the purchase of a warehouse in Selma that holds food for the center. 

The Ministry brings homeless people hot meals during the holidays along with gloves and blankets to help combat the cold. The organization currently serves 7 Alabama counties, feeding between 2,000 and 3,000 families a month. In one month, they fed up to 10,000 families! Son Light food center does more than distribute food to those in need. They also provide on-the-job training and volunteer hour credit for youth and those sentenced to court-ordered community service. Emphasizing the power of partnership, Son Light Ministry connects and works with the people living in the communities that they service. Doing so has empowered the nonprofit to further assist these communities. 

Son Light works closely with the nonprofit All Things Are Possible (A.T.A.P) to provide children with after-school care. There are currently 72 children enrolled in the program, and more 100 children join during the summertime.  A.T.A.P helps the students with their homework while Son Light provides them with food, clothing, and toys. In 2021, the program supplied over 300 families with these goods. The nonprofit receives the majority of their donations from two Walmart stores, who provide clothing, toys, and utilities.