Urban Pulse Direct SBA Edition | Page 4

He enters rooms with the ease
and presence usually reserved
for clergy of the highest calling.
He’s confi dent and self-assured,
and you had better be as well
because you’re on the clock...
Who is Ashley Bell?
His name is Ashley Bell. Born and raised in Gainsville
Georgia, Ashley Bell is no stranger to the struggles of the
working class. During segment two of our sit down interview
with Mr. Bell, he refl ects on how and why he decided to
become an entrepreneur. His father worked for a global
fortune 500 that suddenly moved to Mexico. A young Ashley
watched his 45-year-old educated father with an MBA
struggle to fi nd work. Here was a man that was forced to
reinvent himself at age 45. Ashley drew both inspiration and
determination from this experience and decided he would be
the master of his destiny and the only way to do that was to be
an entrepreneur.
Fueled by his father’s strength and pride, Bell quickly began
making a name for himself by becoming president of the
Student Government Association at his Alma matter; Valdosta
State University where he also founded the local chapter
of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity. After graduating Valdosta
State University, Bell continued his education graduating
with a J.D. from Louisiana State University and later
attending Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of
Government where he was a 21st Century Leadership Fellow.
Bell also holds an honorary doctorate in Intercultural and
Urban Studies from Lighthouse College.
Making His Way
While in Law School Bell became the youngest county
commissioner elected to serve in Hall County Georgia. He
followed up that appointment by becoming a local public
defender and later trial attorney when he launched his law
fi rm Bell & Washington LLP, based in Atlanta, Georgia with
offi ces in several states across America. In addition to his law
fi rm, Bell sits as founder director of two NPO’s Generation
Inspiration and 20/20 Leaders of America.
The Road to SBA
Following his role as Associate Director for External Affairs
for the Peace Corps in 2017 Bell was launched into National
who is Ashley Bell?