Our Leadership Team
Meta Ellis (SHE/HER, THEY/THEM) | 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 - 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.
Miranda Lucas (she/her) | Board Member
Originally from South Georgia, Miranda Lucas has lived in Montgomery since 2015. With the goal of wanting to be a part of something and the need and want to connect with community, Miranda discovered Montgomery Pride United in 2020. Since that time, Miranda has been heavily involved in a variety of community-based projects and volunteerism. Miranda has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Albany State University in Georgia, and a Master's Degree in Geology from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. While at Fort Hays, Miranda was active in the community, and also on campus serving as the Vice-President of the Black Student Union and the President of the Multi-Cultural Student Coalition. Miranda is passionate about equality for all, education, civil and human rights, and environmental justice. Miranda aspires to live a fulfilling life complete with compassion, love, peace, and advocacy.
JOSE VAZQUEZ (THEY/THEM) | Board member, Past president
Jose Vazquez currently is a graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University. They are also active in the queer community by contributing their design, marketing, and photography skills. Before coming to Montgomery, Jose was a founding member of an LGBTQ+ Latinx Giving Circle in the San Francisco Bay Area. In their time with the giving circle, they raised over $40,000 for local, Latinx-led nonprofits that serve LGBTQ+ individuals.
LUCIA HERMO (SHE/HER) | BOARD SECRETARY
Lucia is an experienced events organizer and is a familiar speaker advocating for immigrant justice, LGBTQ, women's, and voter's rights. Lucia worked with ACLU of Alabama here in Montgomery defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States and now works at Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union- NYCLU. Lucia was also awarded the 2019 Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award recognizing her exceptional work in advancing human and civil rights. Lucia has recently moved to New York to further her career with the ACLU and remains an active member of the board.
Doug Mccloud (HE/HIM) | Board chair
Doug Mccloud has served on the Board of Montgomery Pride United since its founding, currently serving as Chair. He is an experienced health educator with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness and fitness industry. Doug was manager of consumer programs and fundraising at Medical Advocacy and Outreach until its dissolution, and currently works with Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center. He is skilled in research, social services, event planning, case management, and program development. He graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Rose Falvey (THEY/THEM) | board member, past board chair, PAST President
Rose Falvey has served in leadership with Montgomery Pride United since its founding, and is a gender queer artist and activist. They also work as an Investigative Paralegal for the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans, where they research the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions faced by those incarcerated in the city jail. Rose served as the President of Montgomery Pride United in 2017 and 2018, creating the Lil’ Free Pantry - a program that allows those in need access to survival foods and hygiene items without having to sign up or enroll for assistance. From 2015-2017, Rose worked as a Hatewatch Fellow for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, where they investigated hate groups and wrote for the Hatewatch Blog. Rose was awarded the 2018 Stephen Light Activism Award recognizing exceptional work in advancing human and civil rights.
Carol Loeb (SHE/HER) | Board member
Carol Loeb is a Montgomery native, with a Master’s degree in Psychology. She has been a stay-at-home mom for the last 23 years. She has done a variety of volunteer work over the years, and currently volunteers at The Respite Program in Montgomery, which serves those with dementia. Her best friend, and sister, came out as gay 30 years ago, and Carol has hoped to find a way to support LGBTQ+ people ever since, particularly in the South. Carol has 3 daughters she adores, including her oldest, who is a proud transgender woman. With the goal of supporting the LGBTQ+ people , Carol is always open to learning new ways to better serve the community.
Ashley Dudley (SHE/HER) | Board member
Ashley Dudley was born in Birmingham, Alabama and is a proud graduate from the illustrious A. H. Parker High School there. In 2003, Ashley had a dream of being helpful to those in need, and that led to her journey to The Alabama State University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. During her time at ASU, Ashley made history by becoming the 1st Female Drum Major for The Mighty Marching Hornets. Continuing with that same vision, she perused a career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ashley is currently working at the Family Sunshine Center as the LGBTQ Children’s Therapist, LGBTQIA+ liaison, and a is an active board member of Montgomery Pride United.
JESSI-ALEX BRANDON (THEY/THEM, He/Him) | BOARD MEMBER
Jessi-Alex Brandon was born in Germany but has called Enterprise, AL home since they were four years old and is a 2016 graduate of the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile. As a student at Macalester College in Minnesota, he served as an Orientation leader, student facilitator, and leader of numerous LGBTQIA+- and BIPOC-focused student organizations. After earning their bachelor's degree in German Studies and International Studies with a Linguistics minor in 2020, they were awarded a U.S. Fulbright Student scholarship and spent six months in Vienna, Austria as a U.S. English Teaching Assistant (USTA). As of August 2021, Jessi-Alex is back home and heavily involved with MPU as a Board Member, Historical Research Fellow, and the Affirming Communities Outreach Coordinator in association with the Trevor Project. Jessi-Alex is passionate about queer and trans liberation and anti-racism, with his activism philosophy being "none of us are free until all of us are free." Their hobbies include but aren't limited to poetry, cooking and baking, and keeping up with their Animal Crossing Island!
Thane Myles (he/him) | past emergency program director, current board member
Thane Myles is an Army veteran who currently works with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Montgomery, Alabama. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and has worked in various client service positions with fortune 500 companies in human resources, specializing in Health and Welfare and pension. In June of 2019, Thane received an iCare Certificate from the Department of Veterans Affairs Montgomery for his work in LGBTQ Advocacy for Military Veterans. Thane is a board of directors’ member and has also served as the Emergency Program Director for Montgomery Pride United. He was instrumental in creating a survey used in assessing homeless persons’ needs and distributing food, clothing, and hygiene items. Thane is also one of MPU’s most active public speakers and panel representatives when educating the public about LGBTQ+ issues.
