James Randle

James Randle at home in 1967

James Randle (born c. 1901) was a salesman, faith healer and artist who lived at 6465 2nd Avenue South in Birmingham's South Woodlawn neighborhood.

Randle was employed by Vel-Tex. He adopted a philosophy dubbed "The New Mind" from his wife, Hattie, using it as the basis for a vibrant scheme of geometrically-decorated walls and constructed "junk banisters" leading up from the sidewalk, painted in red, white and yellow.

His healing practice, for which he did not charge a fee, but accepted donations, was based on reading Bible passages. He became known within the community as the "two-headed man."

References

• Lankford, Tom (February 19, 1967) "Hoodoo!" The Birmingham News