Montgomery Pride United is the collective effort of many people in many places across many years. Here are some of those folks who make things happen.
Our Directors
Meta Ellis (she/her, they/them) | Executive Director
Meta Ellis has been a life-long activist for human and animal rights here in Montgomery as well as California, Arizona, Ohio, and Washington, DC. Meta is the Director of Montgomery Pride United and the co-founder of the Bayard Rustin Community Center. They are passionate about working to help create the Beloved Community as we strive for equality for all. Meta was also selected to represent Alabama in USA Today’s “State By State: Faces of Pride” June 30, 2017 edition, and co-recipient of the 2018 Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award.
Emma McDaniel-Ellis (Ms. Harvey McDaniel) (she/her)| Educational Director; Director of South Eastern Queer Arts
Emma McDaniel-Ellis is a Human and Civil Rights Advocate and Activist who uses her voice to raise awareness of the discrimination against sexual and gender minorities. She is the Educational Outreach Director for Montgomery PRIDE United, co-founder of the Bayard Rustin Community Center, and Director of South Eastern Queer arts. She has spoken in numerous conferences about the importance of inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ+ persons – especially transgender persons – in all aspects of society. She has testified before the Alabama House of Representatives Health Committee advocating for transgender rights, helps co-facilitate several support groups, and was also a co-recipient of the 2018 Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award.
Marco Mays (he/him) | Program Director
Marco Mays is an advocate, humanitarian, empowerment speaker, author and model, and is the founder and CEO of Live Like An Icon, a consulting company specializing in personal development and events management, and founder of The Black Cave, an all Black community group dedicated to better the Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) male. As a tireless advocate, Marco works to de-stigmatize HIV, educate communities, and promote safe practices. Marco is a testament to the power of confidence, both inside and out, as a force for positive change in the world.
Board/Committee member on Until There’s A Cure, The Reunion Project, ROC4Aging+ Communication Committee, Serenity House, Colors River Region, Alabama Consumers Advisory Board, Low Income Housing Coalition Alabama, HPTN096 Community Advisory Group.
Marco currently resides in Montgomery, Alabama and is the Director of Programs for Montgomery Pride United. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Auburn University at Montgomery.
Our Staff
L.D. Sykes (he/him) | Administrative staff
L. D. is an Army Veteran, former State of Alabama employee, and a volunteer member of the Administrative Staff for Montgomery Pride United and one of the keynote speakers when addressing the public. He is also an Elder in his church, a member of ADODI – same gender loving men of African descent who love men with dignity, honor and respect – and a Delegate for the Alabama Democrats representing the Black LGBTQ+ community. L.D. is especially adept at introducing LGBTQ+ history to students and educating them in facets of history that are not main-stream knowledge. He has an infectious laugh and a loving personality which instantly brightens up a room.