About Malik

Malik Brown is an LGBTQ advocate and political strategist, a first-generation American, and a lifelong Atlantan. He has been featured in prestigious outlets like "CNN", "NBC News", and "The Hill". His writings have been showcased in national publications like "Cosmopolitan", "them.", and "Out Magazine." Malik has been a keynote speaker for global brands like Meta, Home Depot, and Mercedes-Benz. Recently, he was named on the Atlanta Business Chronicle's Power 100 list of Atlanta's most influential. 

Appointed as the City of Atlanta's Director of LGBTQ Affairs by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Brown is the first full-time official in the Southeastern United States to focus on better connecting the LGBTQ community with municipal government. In this role, he drives systemic change and advances equity by advising Mayor Andre Dickens on policies, programs, and initiatives affecting the LGBTQ community. Brown is a founding member of the Mayor’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As one of City Hall's key advisors on Human Rights, Brown co-led the development of Atlanta's Human Rights Stakeholder report, which accompanied Atlanta's successful bid to be a host city for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

During the 2020 Presidential Race, Malik was appointed to the Biden campaign's Out for Biden LGBTQ+ Leadership Council, a national advisory coalition of LGBTQ+ leaders committed to electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. During the 2021 Georgia runoff election, Brown was recruited by the historic U.S. Senate campaign of Reverend Raphael Warnock to serve as the Special Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement. In this role, Brown helped the campaign reach, mobilize, and energize LGBTQ+ Georgia voters.

A proud Executive Committee member of the Human Rights Campaign's National Board of Governors, Brown brings a unique combination of political experience, LGBTQ advocacy, and HIV/AIDS education and prevention to his work. Additionally, Brown is a member of Emory University's Board of Visitors, a graduate of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2022, and a member of the Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2022. Recently, Brown had the honor of throwing the Ceremonial Opening Pitch for the reigning World Series Champions, the Atlanta Braves. 

Affiliations 

Director, Mayor's Division of LGBTQ Affairs
City of Atlanta

National Board of Governors, Human Rights Campaign 
(Former Executive Committee Member)

Former Special Advisor on LGBTQ+ Engagement, Reverend Raphael Warnock for U.S. Senate 

LEAD Atlanta

• Alumni, Class of 2022
• Social Co-Chair, 2022-2023

Former Member, Out for Biden LGBTQ+ Leadership Council

Inauguration Planning Committee Member

• Mayor ​Andre Dickens (2022)
• Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (2018)

Board of Visitors, Emory University 

Class of 2022, Regional Leadership Institute 

Young Executives Board, Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation

2019 Atlanta Cohort, New Leaders Council ​

Former Steering Committee Member, Smart City Expo Atlanta (2019)

Board of Directors, Out Georgia Business Alliance
​
Board of Directors, Out Front Theatre Company 

Accolades

Atlanta Business Chronicle
Power 100: Atlanta's Most Influential Leaders
2022 40 Under 40


Georgia Diversity Council
Georgia LGBTQ+ Leadership Award, 2022

The Advocate Magazine 
Champions of Pride, 2021 
​
Atlanta Black Pride Weekend 
LGBTQ Advocate Award, 2022 
Activism Award, 2021

Atlanta City Council
LGBTQ Atlanta "Game Changers" (Proclamation), 2019

Human Rights Campaign 

• National Community Events Program of the Year
  2020, 2019, 2017, 2016
• National Membership Outreach Leader of the Year, 2018
• National Rookie of the Year, 2015

Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Rising Star, 2019

Peach Atlanta Magazine
Community Hero, 2018

A Selection of Photos