First City Pride Center taps human rights advocate as new executive director
Savannah’s First City Pride Center announced on Wednesday that Michael Bell, a longtime human rights activist who most recently served as CEO of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ center, has been named First Pride’s new executive director, according to a press release.
Bell comes to Savannah with more than two decades experience in community organizing and activism that includes serving on executive boards for national and local organizations focused on mental health and the LGBTQ+ community.
“My husband and I are grateful to become part of the Savannah community,” Bell said in the release. “FCPC is at an important crossroads in expanding our existing programming and creating a healthcare model that breaks down barriers for all our LGBTQ+ community—from youth to seniors.”
During Bell’s previous post as CEO of Hudson Pride Center in New Jersey, the group forged “strategic partnerships to improve access to quality healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those living at or below the federal poverty line.”
The announcement dubbed Bell’s appointment “an exciting new chapter.”
“We feel fortunate to have Michael’s expertise in dealing with nonprofits of our size and all the challenges that will bring,” said Sean Brandon and Brandon Earhart, Co-Chairs of FCPC. “We look forward to the new directions that he’s already working on for the organization but, more importantly, the larger community.”
Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.