Josh Bell named Executive Director of One Orlando Alliance
“I believe that the One Orlando Alliance has done and will continue to do phenomenal work to help the LGBTQ+ community BELONG and THRIVE in Orlando and Central Florida, and I am honored to be selected as the new Executive Director,” said Josh Bell. “I am grateful for the courage of the Central Florida LGBTQ+ community. It is this courage that helped me overcome years of “conversion therapy” and step into my full and authentic self as a gay man,” he added.
Josh is proud to follow Jennifer Foster, our Founding Executive Director, who has completed her two-year commitment to this role. “Jennifer has led our coalition to do phenomenal work. I am honored to build on the progress that has already been made,” he said.
Josh embraced his own personal journey by becoming a vocal advocate for the most marginalized in Central Florida, working for The Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College as a facilitator for transformative dialogues related to anti-racism training, gender bias, and LGBTQ+ and gender spectrum inclusion.
“In the process of accepting and celebrating my own queerness, the courage of Black, Latinx, transgender, and gender nonbinary folx has helped me to know my privilege,” Josh shared. Adding, “It brings me great joy to work alongside my LGBTQ+ siblings and leverage my privilege to help create truly inclusive spaces and elevate the voices of our diverse community.”
Josh brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and multi-organizational movements to this role. Most recently, Josh served as the Director of Community Development for the Community Hope Center in Kissimmee, FL where his responsibilities included donor and community relations, capital campaign coordination, affordable housing development, and faith partnerships. In his previous role as Interfaith Coordinator for PJI, Josh helped faith-based organizations begin difficult discussions around inclusion and justice.
Josh is a member of the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and the Planning Team for the Orlando Youth Empowerment Summit. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness Faith Committee, and the Lake Nona YMCA Board. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. Josh also holds a Master’s of Divinity degree.
Prior to entering nonprofit work full time, Josh pastored United Methodist churches for nine years. He is a proud dad and coparent to three young children.
Josh will begin working with community stakeholders in the coming weeks. Please feel free to reach out to Robin Maynard-Harris at BoardChair@oneorlandoalliance.org or Josh Bell at JBell@oneorlandoalliance.org with any questions.
Click here for a headshot of Josh Bell
Click here for One Orlando Alliance’s logo
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One Orlando Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to unify and empower LGBTQ+ organizations in Central Florida. The coalition includes over 40 organizations working together to transform Central Florida into a safe and inclusive community where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive. For more information, go to www.oneorlandoalliance.org.