After more than three decades leading the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, Dr. Alex Gee has stepped aside, handing the reins to longtime colleague Harry Hawkins.
Gee founded Nehemiah in 1992 with a focus on supporting Black youth and families through social services and leadership training. Over time, the organization evolved into what Gee describes as a “Black-focused leadership development agency” that also provides direct support through housing programs, youth mentorship, and community education.
The transition marks a significant moment for the Madison-based nonprofit, which has become a fixture on the city’s South Side.
“I carried the ultimate responsibility for Nehemiah, the church, the podcast, and the Center for Black Excellence,” Gee said in an interview. “I just carried too much… and I realized I don’t want to carry both of these any further.”
Gee said the timing of the transition aligns with the anticipated opening of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture later this year, a separate initiative he has led since 2020. He described the leadership change at Nehemiah as part of his commitment to the kind of succession planning he often teaches.
“One of the things that really frustrates me is when people create these leadership institutes and then they never retire,” he said. “I wanted to practice what I preach.”
Hawkins, who takes over as executive director, arrived in Madison in 2012 to manage a jewelry store. He said he planned to stay for a year or two before returning to Georgia—but that changed after getting involved at Fountain of Life Church and, eventually, Nehemiah.
“I remember thinking, ‘I am selling luxury goods and I feel like the world is burning,’” Hawkins said, recalling his reaction to viral videos of police violence. “Can I do something for work that’s also meaningful?”
He began volunteering and later took on communications and fund development work at Nehemiah. Over time, he played a growing role in implementing organizational plans and managing operations.
“When he came in to volunteer, he was going to work at the front desk,” Gee said. “But I thought, hmm—he’s got retail management experience. It seemed like a skill set that could transfer.”
Hawkins said one of the most important things he learned from Gee was the value of transformational leadership—specifically, the willingness to empower others to lead.
“A lot of leaders are scared to promote people because they’re scared they’ll be replaced,” he said. “But Dr. Gee was working to replace himself.”
As Nehemiah looks ahead, Hawkins said his goals include training more community leaders, responding to demographic shifts, and continuing to evaluate the organization’s impact.
“One of the questions we’re asking is, how many families have we helped transition from needing our service to being leaders solving problems?” he said. “And how do we adapt if the people we serve are moving outside the city?”
For Gee, stepping away from day-to-day leadership came with mixed emotions.
“I had to just drive around the city,” he said. “For decades, my identity was as CEO and founder of Nehemiah… but after we had a celebration, I felt good about the process.”
Nehemiah now has about 20 employees and continues to serve Madison and Dane County, with some programs—like its “Black History for a New Day” course—reaching audiences nationwide.
Gee remains involved with the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, which is expected to open by the end of the year. He said he believes the mission of both organizations will remain aligned: supporting the development and flourishing of Black leaders and communities.
