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Candace Johnson has never forgotten her Selma upbringing.  Johnson was the guest speaker at the Selma Rotary Club on Monday.

Johnson discussed her job, Director of Tourism and Community Development at UA’s Center for Economic Development.

“I help people get creative,” Johnson said. “I love helping small communities. That’s my passion.”

For Johnson, everything began in Selma. She served as the tourism director for the Selma-Dallas County Centre for Commerce. She attended Meadowview Christian School and Wallace Community College-Selma. “Selma’s my home and it will always be my home,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she loves her job.

“I have the easiest job: selling Alabama, in my opinion,” Johnson said.

Johnson discussed one of her recent projects, Alabama Birding trails.. She said the state has 430 bird species and 280 birding sites.

Old Cahawba Prairie Preserve, Bloch Park and Dallas County Lake are included in the Black Belt Birding Trail.