Ashley Bell, regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and advocate for the Southeast Region’s nearly 7 million small businesses, is the recipient of this year's Drum Major for Justice Award from the Perry County (Ala.) Civic League.
The award recognizes Bell’s dedication to serving in his capacity "to help strengthen the economies amongst our nation’s African American-owned small businesses."
The citation goes on to say "he has been successful with delivering SBA products and services to untapped areas through his Rural Strong Initiative, which has allowed the SBA to reach rural, often low-income areas across the Southeast that often include many minority-owned small businesses."
Bell, who lives in Gainesville, is a former member of the Hall County Board of Commissioners, who practiced law in Gainesville for a number of years.
