| Travis Hendrix was born on October 15, 1982, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in the Tuxedo Court public housing community in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, where he was raised by his grandmother who instilled in him the importance of service, sacrifice, and prayer. The Tuxedo Terrace housing community has since replaced Tuxedo Court, which was known as "the Brickyard".
Hendrix attended Ensley High School but did not graduate with a traditional diploma. Instead, he completed his General Educational Development (GED) certificate. He went on to pursue higher education at Miles College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in social work in 2007. He later obtained a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and corrections from Oakland City University in Indiana, completed between 2016-2018. Hendrix furthered his education by earning a master's degree in strategic management from Oakland City University, which he completed between 2018-2020.
In June 2019, Hendrix joined the Birmingham Police Department, where he serves as a sergeant and community project coordinator. His law enforcement career includes serving as a school resource officer and participating in a task force dedicated to the public housing community. On December 1, 2013, while serving as a police officer, Hendrix demonstrated exceptional courage during a suicide prevention incident on Interstate 59 at the interchange of I-65. Along with Officers Jonathan Robbins and Henry Higgins, he helped prevent both a pedestrian and Officer Demarcus Mitchell from falling over a bridge railing, an act that preserved lives and earned him recognition.
Hendrix first entered politics in 2022 when he challenged incumbent Roderick Scott for Alabama House of Representatives District 55. He finished fourth in the Democratic primary, which was ultimately won by Fred Plump. In 2023, when Plump resigned under federal indictment for corruption charges, Hendrix entered the special election to fill the vacant seat. Seven Democratic candidates qualified for the race, with no Republican or Independent candidates filing. Hendrix placed first in the Democratic primary election on September 26, 2023, receiving 670 votes or 27.9% of the total. Since no candidate received fifty percent or more of the vote, the race proceeded to a runoff election.
In the runoff election held on October 24, 2023, Hendrix defeated Sylvia Swayne by a decisive margin, receiving 2,368 votes or 65.1% compared to Swayne's 1,270 votes or 34.9%. His victory was supported by endorsements from multiple Democratic state lawmakers and officials, including House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington Jr. also campaigned for Hendrix during the runoff. With no Republican opponent in the general election, Hendrix's primary victory essentially secured his position as the next representative for District 55.
Hendrix was sworn in as Alabama State Representative for District 55 on December 12, 2023, in Fairfield, Alabama. His current term runs until November 4, 2026. District 55 encompasses parts of Birmingham, including the West End, Fairfield, Adamsville, Graysville, Maytown, Sylvan Springs, and Forestdale, primarily representing Jefferson County. In the Alabama House of Representatives, Hendrix serves on three committees- the House Committee on Fiscal Responsibility, the House Committee on Jefferson County Legislation, and the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
As a legislator, Hendrix has focused his platform on economic growth, public safety, education, and equity. His economic development priorities include investment in minority and women-owned businesses, stable infrastructure support, entrepreneurship incentives, job creation focused on technology, and support for trade school programs. His public safety agenda emphasizes removing barriers for justice-involved residents, community policing, trust-building between residents and law enforcement, and intentional engagement with faith-based community members. In education, he advocates for supplementing traditional education with after-school and enrichment programs, supporting adult learning and special needs educational programming, and engaging non-profits and organizations that support at-risk youth.
Hendrix is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and attends True Love Church in Ensley. He describes himself as a father, though specific details about his family members are not publicly available. His professional experience extends beyond law enforcement to include work as a public speaker for the City of Birmingham, a role he has held since February 2008. He has also been involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a member. |