William A. Bell Sr.

Biography

Honorable Mayor William A. Bell, Sr.

The Honorable Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. was sworn in on Tuesday January 26, 2010 as the 33rd Mayor of the City of Birmingham.

Mayor Bell has had a long and exceptional career in the city of Birmingham, most recently serving as President Protem for the Jefferson County Commission.

During his tenure on the Commission, he was responsible for the Department of Health and Community Services. This department included the Jefferson Rehabilitation and Health Center, Cooper Green Hospital, Coroner, Central Laundry, Community Development, Economic Development Workforce Development.

Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. was a city councilman for District 5 for many years.

In 1985 during his third term, he was elected by his fellow council members to serve as the first African-American President of the Birmingham City Council. He was again chosen as Birmingham City Council President in 1987 and 1997. In 1999, he also served as Interim Mayor of Birmingham.

As one of the longest serving public officials in the City of Birmingham, Mayor Bell was instrumental in implementing the council consent agenda, which allowed the Council to approve with one vote any item that was non-controversial. With senior citizens in mind, he also assisted in funding a fitness track around Legion Field as well as a mini park. Mayor Bell is also responsible for the first Hope VI Project in downtown Birmingham that transformed a local inner city housing development into an affordable, mixed housing community.

He also had generated more than $197 million dollars for Birmingham schools. The University of Alabama at Birmingham also received more than $87 million for capital improvements during Mayor Bells tenure.

Mayor Bell is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and Guidance Counseling. He also holds a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Miles Law School, with extensive professional experience in community and economic development in both the public and private sectors.

Mayor Bell believes that he is first a servant of God and second a servant of the people. Dr. Bell has been married more than 32 years to Dr. Sharon Carson Bell and has 2 children, both graduates of Ramsay High School and the University of Alabama.

William A. Bell    Mayor

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