About Us
Colgay Pride is a project of the Debra Smith Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Columbus, Georgia. Colgay Pride and the Debra Smith Wellness Center stand for pride, health and equality for LGBT people and allies in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley region. It has become a leading resource for youth and adults in this region, and works to be a guiding light for our communities.
Meet Our Board
Jeremy Scott Hobbs
President, CEO
Jeremy Hobbs (pronouns he/him) is an organizer and political consultant. He served as LGBT Liaison to the Columbus Georgia Mayor’s Commission on Unity, Diversity and Prosperity under Mayors Teresa Tomlinson and Skip Henderson from 2014 to 2019. He established the Chattahoochee Valley Better Way Foundation (now the Debra Smith Wellness Center) in 2007, and organized the first Colgay Pride event in June 2014. A native and lifelong resident of Columbus, Jeremy received his Associates in Human Resources and Business Management from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 1994. He has been HIV positive since 2003, and has used his experience as a motivation for his community work.
Harry Underwood
Vice President of Communications and Political Awareness
Harry (pronouns he/they) is a web designer and political consultant
Matasha
Vice President, Director of Entertainment and Transgender Affairs
Matasha (pronouns she/her) is a drag performer and native of Columbus, Georgia.
Bernard Postell
Vice President of Diversity
Bernard (pronouns he/him) is has served as a
Timothy Vance
Vice President of Gay Mens' Relations
Timothy (pronouns he/they) is a peer group facilitator.
Holly Brewer
Vice President of Lesbian Affairs
Garrett Vance
Board Member
Cheryl Ann Neal
Vice President, Transgender Affairs
Michael Martin
Staff Photographer
Starlet Kissam
Secretary
Aaron Chandler
Treasurer
Our Committees
- Events Committee
- Plans, budgets and executes the DSWC’s events throughout the year, handles invitations and guests, and aids with logistics
- Transgender and Gender Non-conforming (TGNC) Advisory Committee
- Advises the board on issues and needs relevant to transgender and gender non-confirming persons, as well as opportunities to improve and celebrate the lives and accomplishments of TGNC people, including Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) in November and Trans Week of Visibility (TWOV) in March.
- Justice, Accessibility and Outreach Committee
- helps to ensure that DSWC programs and Colgay Pride-branded Festivals are as accessible as possible for people with disabilities; Handles communications for the DSWC operations, including social media and relations with the press; helps to spread the word of the Center by speaking on our behalf. Ideal for people with a passion for LGBT justice and no fear of public speaking.
- Financial and Fundraising Committee
- handles fundraising through donor recruitment and retention, grant writing, and promoting the Center’s services.
- Programs, Health and Wellness Committee
- Helps to ensure the integrity of DSWC’s operations, including health, wellness, and trainings, as well as investigate opportunities for growth and improvement in those operations.