pride@maconpride.org
MEET OUR EXEC BOARD
Scott Mitchell
President
Working for diversity, inclusion, and visibility for groups of people that have historically been underrepresented is my greatest life's work. As President of Macon Pride, I have the opportunity to show every LGBTQIA+ person in Middle Georgia that they have worth and their life is valid.
Charlotte Storey
Vice President
I proudly serve on the board of Macon Pride because I want to actively help the LGBT community. The Middle Georgia area is home to many LGBT people who suffer from fear of the community and lack of inclusion. My desire is to deliver positive change to the mindset of Middle Georgia residents, enabling members of the LGBT community to feel safe in their expression, to openly see diversity, to be included, to find equality, and to enjoy basic human kindness. Actively working toward this goal is necessary as inaction solidifies the unacceptable status quo.
Claire Cox
Treasurer
My role and purpose on this Board is to support the voices and leadership of LGBTQ people in central Georgia and to use my skills and abilities to facilitate inclusion and acceptance. Macon cannot be a true community, until we can demonstrate that EVERYONE is valued, and we aren’t complete as a city without all of us sharing the same rights and privileges. Macon Pride is a tangible way of bridging the past to a new reality where we live and love and celebrate together. Besides, this team is just damn fun to be with!
Andrea Carter Freeman
Secretary
In 2019, when Scott Mitchell wanted to do a “Pride” in Macon, I was elated to help, and it was a huge success. I jumped in with feet first, because I strongly believe that every human is entitled to love whomever they choose. It is in a person’s DNA makeup to desire love and feel acceptance from others, and that is what I strive for while serving on the Macon Pride board. As my 11yo son says, “Love is limitless”, and that is truer than ever. Every individual, including LBGTQIA, should be celebrated. It is my hope that Macon Pride is a place where any and every one finds a community of acceptance, free of hate, full of love and where everyone can be their own authentic self. With Rainbow Love…
Christina Leon
Board Member
Being a part of Macon Pride gives me the opportunity to speak for the young BIPOC community. Growing up I never saw a person like me, primarily because I was from a small town. I came out at 15 and I was blessed to have a family that loved and supported me without hesitation. I’ve made it my mission in life to be that welcoming and loving parental figure for kids that don’t necessarily have one. When I started drag, I knew I would be able to bring joy to so many. Now with years of entertainment under my belt, I’m happy Macon Pride has allowed me to continue to touch the hearts of many people through entertainment and I’m excited to see all the smiling faces this year.
Contact Christina
DeMarcus Beckham
Board Member
Being a part of a Board like Macon Pride gives a person the incredible opportunity to be the change we want to see and help create inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community and our allies. Pride is just not an annual festival, it's a celebration of a person's spirit and self-conviction. Having pride in oneself is in tandem with having pride in one’s community. Macon Pride takes an active role in acknowledging our diverse histories, shedding light on injustice and inequity, and celebrating the achievements in our community. I take great joy in knowing we are working together to drive progress and cultivate pride in our Macon community
Julia Rubens
Board Member
Julia Rubens is a producer and communicator who seeks to activate the civic imagination with arts-based activities and amplify more voices. She’s a fierce believer that artists and culture makers are a driving force towards positive social change. Julia is a Virginia native, born just outside D.C., and landed in Macon working at the intersections between downtown and campus as the Director of Arts Marketing and Community Engagement for Mercer University. This means she represents a number of vibrant arts organizations and venues around the city, to include The Grand Opera House, McEachern Arts Center, McDuffie Center for Strings, Townsend School of Music, Tattnall Square Center for the Arts and associated clients all over town. She loves passionately representing all forms of the arts, from bass players to Broadway to ballerinas. Outside of work, Julia serves on the boards of Storytellers Macon as Fine Arts Director, Macon Little Theatre as Secretary, the Downtown Macon Community Association as Vice Chair, and Macon Pride. She loves hanging out with her two puppies, going to Pure Barre, and trying out new sour beers at Society Garden.
Todd Ussery
Board Member
Everyone has their given family and their chosen family. Sometimes these overlap and sometimes not. Unfortunately, growing up in rural South Georgia my ‘straight’ life and my ‘gay’ life did not intertwine. As I’ve evolved I have searched for ways to be a better mentor to people who may need support seeing themselves in a positive light or how they can become a beacon for their own success. I joined the Macon Pride Board to “share my air” with people who love and appreciate me, my husband, my lifestyle, and my ideals, while hopefully making a difference in our LGBTQ+ community. Macon Pride makes a conscious effort to celebrate everyone’s differences while bringing them together as one. I am proud to serve this great organization and this community.
Kenneth Barton
Board Member
It is important for members of our community to know and feel like they belong, as well as to show our friends and family who we really are and that we are not all that different after all. Regardless of all of the great things that this organization has and will do, I am most honored to serve on the Board of Macon Pride because I know that it would have brought my thirteen-year-old self a lot of hope for the future and pride in myself.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
IT'S SIMPLE
We are here to provide the middle Georgia LBGTQIA+ community and our allies a place to celebrate and affirm our individuality and importance to the middle Georgia area by giving expression to our community's rich history along with dedication to promote acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
