About us
About the LGBTQ Community Center Feasibility Study
Most major American cities are home to LGBTQ+ community centers—essential hubs for connection, resources, and culture. Yet, despite being the LGBTQ+ capital of the South and one of the top 10 U.S. cities with the largest LGBTQ+ populations, Atlanta still lacks a centralized, purpose-built space to fully support and connect its LGBTQ+ residents and allies.
Pursuant to City of Atlanta Resolution 24-R-4450, the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) is conducting a one-year feasibility study to explore the potential development of an LGBTQ+ Community Center in Atlanta.
To guide this initiative, AFCRA has appointed a Project Director to lead the daily operations and collaborate with a diverse Exploratory Committee. Together, they will deliver a community-informed recommendations report to City officials at the conclusion of the study.
Partnership Interest Form
Partnership Interest Form
Across the United States, there are an estimated 300 LGBTQ Community Centers, each serving as vital hubs for connection, resources, and culture. While Atlanta is the LGBTQ+ capital of the South and home to a vibrant, diverse community, there is currently no centralized, purpose-built space designed to serve and unify its LGBTQ+ residents and allies holistically.
Malik Brown
Project Director
Project Director
Meet the Project Director
Malik Brown is an award-winning LGBTQ advocate, political strategist, first-generation American, and a lifelong Atlantan. Recognized for his trailblazing work, he has been featured in prestigious outlets such as CNN, NBC News, and The Hill. His writings have appeared in national publications, including Cosmopolitan, them., and Out Magazine. A sought-after speaker, Malik has delivered addresses at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Ad Week New York, and the Human Rights Campaign gala. He has been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Power 100 list of Atlanta’s most influential leaders.
Appointed by former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as the City of Atlanta’s first-ever Director of LGBTQ Affairs, Malik served from 2017 to 2024 as the first full-time municipal official in the Southeastern United States dedicated to advancing LGBTQ equity. In this historic role, he drove systemic change by advising the Mayor on policies, programs, and initiatives impacting Atlanta’s LGBTQ community.
Malik is a proud alumnus of the Human Rights Campaign’s National Board of Governors and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Rainbow Railroad, an international organization dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ individuals escape state-sponsored persecution. Additionally, he is a member of Emory University’s Board of Visitors and Morehouse School of Medicine’s HIV Health Equity Task Force.
An engaged civic leader, Malik is an alum of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation Young Executives Board, the American-German Institute, LEAD Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute. He has received numerous honors, including throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, hitting the Golden Spike for the MLS Cup-winning Atlanta United, and being recognized with the Forever 404 award by the Atlanta Hawks.
Exploratory Committee
Our Co-Chairs
Dr. Alie Redd
CEO, Covenant House Georgia
Paul Conroy
Founder & Producing Artistic Director Out Front Theatre Company
Meet Our Members
Members
Bishop OC Allen
Senior Pastor and Founder of The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta
William Duffee-Braun
Owner, Valiant Marketing
Dyllón Burnside
Emmy Award-Winning Artist
Stephanie Cho
Director, Democracy Lab South, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta
Amir Farokhi
District 2, Atlanta City Council
Jonathan Foulk
Vice President, Board of Directors, Joining Hearts
Jeff Graham
Executive Director, Georgia Equality
Sam Greene
Chair, Midtown Neighbors Association
Jonathan Gould
Lecturer of Architecture, Kennesaw State University
Ranjan Goswami
Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, Delta Air Lines
Pat Hussain
LGBTQ Elder & Advocate
Nathan Regan
Global Data Centers – Strategic Navigator, Google
TJ Kaplan
Principal at J. L. Morgan Company, Inc.
Andy Levine
Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Dr. Izzy Lowell
Founder, QMed
Lena Lust
Legendary Atlanta Drag Performer
Lexi Markham
Sophomore, Paideia School, Steering Committee Member, Youth Belong (National Center for Civil & Human Rights))
Tracee McDaniel
Board of Directors, Trans Housing Atlanta Program
Dr. Alie Redd
Chief Executive Officer, Covenant House Georgia
Joshua R. Newton
Senior Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Emory University
Paul Conroy
Founder, Out Front Theatre Company
Richard Ramey
Owner, Atlanta Eagle
Adam Rimes
Chief Financial Officer, Aprio
Jason Schneider
Physician, Grady Health Systems
Clark Seydel
Principal, Smithson Seydel
Courtney Smith
Chair, NPU E
Kim Jackson
State Senator, Georgia District 41
Tiana Tukes
Businesswoman, philanthropist
Dan Preister
Managing Director, Coxe Curry
and Associates
and Associates
Tony Uceda
(Senior Director, Institutional Giving, US Soccer)
Pamela Stewart
Chief Customer Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Dr. Angelica Geter
Founder and Principal Consultant, Impactful Collaboration
Sergio Mendez
U.S. Army Veteran & Community Investment Manager, Latino Community Fund, Georgia
Neal VanMarter
Regional Outreach Coordinator & Military Liaison, Office of US Senator Jon Ossoff
Tim’m West
Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Institute, National Center for Civil & Human Rights
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