Experts in social impact work

Malik Brown is an award-winning LGBTQ advocate, political strategist, and emerging writer, developing original work across essays, novels, and screenplays. He has been featured in outlets like CNN, NBC News, and The Hill. His essays and commentary have appeared in Cosmopolitan, Air Mail, and Out magazine. A sought-after speaker, Malik has delivered addresses on stages 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.

Malik serves as the Managing Director for the Atlanta LGBTQ+ Community Center Initiative at the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority, where he leads the development of a next-generation LGBTQ+ Community Center in Atlanta.

Previously appointed as the City of Atlanta's Director of LGBTQ Affairs by former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Brown served as the first full-time official in the Southeastern United States to focus on better connecting the LGBTQ community with municipal government. In his seven years of service, he drove systemic change and advanced equity by advising Mayor Bottoms and Mayor Andre Dickens on policies, programs, and initiatives affecting the LGBTQ community.

During the 2020 Presidential Race, Malik was appointed to the Biden campaign's Out for Biden LGBTQ+ Leadership Council. During the 2021 Georgia runoff election, Brown was recruited by the historic U.S. Senate campaign of Reverend Raphael Warnock to serve as the Special Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement. In this role, Brown led campaign efforts to mobilize and energize LGBTQ+ voters in Georgia.

Malik serves as Secretary and an Executive Committee member of Rainbow Railroad’s Board of Directors and previously served on the Human Rights Campaign’s National Board of Governors. Always eager to continue learning, Brown is an alum of the American-German Institute, LEAD Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute. Brown has had the honor of throwing the Ceremonial Opening Pitch for the former World Series Champions, the Atlanta Braves, hitting the Golden Spike for the former MLS Cup winners, the Atlanta United, and receiving the Forever 404 award from the Atlanta Hawks.