The Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development announced in a press release Friday that the founder and CEO of Nehemiah will step into the new role of President Emeritus and Chair of the Board. Harry Hawkins, who has served Nehemiah for the past eight years in various leadership roles, will assume the position of President.
Dr. Gee, who founded Nehemiah more than 30 years ago, will continue to be engaged with Nehemiah by mentoring staff, stewarding relationships with legacy supporters, and conducting quarterly staff leadership trainings, according to the release.
“I am humbled, excited, and nervous about my new role all at the same time,” Hawkins said in a statement. “I’m excited because I get to continue the work I’ve helped to shape and uplift over the last eight years… I’m humbled because this is a big job. ‘President’ doesn’t describe the responsibility of stewarding a community asset that has stood the test of time.”
“Harry has long shown his capacity for vision, compassion, and action,” Gee said in a statement. “He has already proven himself as a trusted leader and someone deeply committed to empowering the Black community and redesigning systems to be more just and equitable.”
Gee is also founder and senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church and CEO of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture.
