Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

Exploring the Feasibility of A Next-Generation LGBTQ+ Community Space in Atlanta.

A One-Year Feasibility Study To Define the Vision, Impact, Potential, and Sustainability of a Dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Space for Atlanta’s Future.

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

Are you or your organization interested in supporting this important initiative? We’d love to hear from you! Please complete our Partnership Interest Form to express your interest and explore opportunities to get involved.

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 Revolt World. 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 Mayor Bottoms and Mayor Andre Dickens 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, The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta

Dyllón Burnside

Emmy Award-Winning Artist, Founder and Executive Director, Burnside Artist Retreat

Stephanie Cho

Director, Democracy Lab South, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta

Tori Cooper

Director of Community Engagement, Trans Justice Initiative, Human Rights Campaign

William Duffee-Braun

Owner, Valiant Marketing

Dr. Arlene Edwards

Board of Directors, ZAMI NOBLA (National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging)

Jim Fielding

Author & Executive Coach

Jonathan Foulk

Vice President, Board of Directors, Joining Hearts

Amir Farokhi

District 2, Atlanta City Council

Jeff Graham

Executive Director, Georgia Equality

Sam Greene

Chair, Midtown Neighbors Association

Jonathan Gould

Lecturer of Architecture, Kennesaw State University

Dr. Angelica Geter

Founder and Principal Consultant, Impactful Collaboration

Josh Humphries

Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Housing

TJ Kaplan

Principal, J. L. Morgan Company, Inc.

Andy Levine

Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Tracee McDaniel

Board of Directors, Trans Housing Atlanta Program

Selima Morrow

Program Director, COR

Joshua R. Newton

Senior Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Emory University

Dan Preister

Managing Director, Coxe Curry and Associates

Quinton Rasberry

Health Equity & Access Advocate

Richard Ramey

Owner, Atlanta Eagle

Nathan Regan

Global Data Centers – Strategic Navigator, Google

Adam Rimes

Chief Financial Officer, Aprio

Clark Seydel

Principal, Smithson Seydel

Dr. Jason Schnieder

Physician, Grady Health Systems

Courtney Smith

Chair, NPU E

Brian Tolleson

Co-Founder, Lexicon Strategies

Tony Uceda

Senior Director, Institutional Giving, US Soccer

Neal VanMarter

Regional Outreach Coordinator & Military Liaison, Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff

Tim’m West

Executive Director, LGBTQ+ Institute, National Center for Civil & Human Rights

Andrea Wiggins

Northwest Outreach Director, Office of US Senator Raphael Warnock

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