Meet
the
Board
Russell C. Howard
President
Founding Board Member
He/Him
Russell Howard is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he attended Shelton State Community College and The University of Alabama. Mr. Howard enjoys being an advocate for his community. Currently he serves as a founding board member and President of Druid City Pride and University Relations Co-Chair of The University of Alabama LGBTQ Alumni Association. In 2019, Russell was named one of Tuscaloosa’s 40 under Forty Business Professionals by The Tuscaloosa News and was the recipient of Druid City Pride's 2019 Bambi Kira Spirit of Pride Award. Professionally, he is the Office Manager of RealtySouth - Tuscaloosa.
Ed Taylor-White
Vice-President
He/Him
Ed Taylor-White is the Hospitality and Tourism Instructor at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy. He has a passion for hospitality, event planning, and fundraising. He has been an advocate for the LGBT community of West Alabama through various organizations since graduating from The University of Alabama in 2010 with a Bachelors in Human Nutrition. Ed lives in Tuscaloosa with his husband.
Margaret Ila Christian
Secretary
She/Her
Originally from Tuscaloosa, Margaret Ila Christian serves as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys spending time with her dog, Jelly Bean.
Daylon Miller
Treasurer
He/Him
Bio Coming Soon!
Saylor Alexander
He/Him
SJ is a Birmingham native who has been a part of the Tuscaloosa community for several years. He has been performing across the US for the past 9+ years as Saylor Alexander, drag king. With that platform he has been able to compete in several major patents before earning the title of Mr. Arkansas US of A M.I. 2019/2020/2021. He is set to compete for the National title this April. Pride has always been a passion for SJ even earning him the title of Mister Central Alabama Pride 2019. With this new position he hopes to continue to be a representative of this wonderful community.
Davis "DJ" Jackson
He/Him
DJ Jackson grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He works professionally as the Undergraduate Scholarship Manager at The University of Alabama. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in American History and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from UA. He currently serves as the Ambassador for Capstone Alliance, UA’s LBGTQ+ faculty, staff, and graduate student association. He is also a founding member of The University of Alabama LGBTQ Alumni Association Chapter.
Tina Jones
She/Her
Tina is a native of Huntsville, AL and has lived in Tuscaloosa since 2008. She has long been an advocate for human rights and the LGBTQ+ community; and took up that mantle even more actively when her daughter came out as transgender. Tina is the Director of Sales and Catering for Hotel Indigo in downtown Tuscaloosa. She has worked in the Hospitality & Tourism industry since 1983 and has a passion for promoting Tuscaloosa, her hotel, and creating memorable experiences for visitors & clients. Cooking family meals and spending time with her kids (and her two cats Bootsy and Georgie) are her favorite things to be doing when she has downtime. Tina’s love of the Tuscaloosa community has led her to be a part of several projects and boards locally where she felt her personal experiences could be shared.
Kyle Richardson
Founding Board Member
He/Him
Kyle Richardson is the Owner of Icon, Tuscaloosa's only LGBT bar. He has Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from The University of Alabama. Kyle has lived in Tuscaloosa since 2004.
Huey Rudder (Saaphyr Flayme)
He/Him & They/Them (She/Her & They/Them)
Huey is originally from outside of Montgomery, He currently works as the graphic designer for the City of Tuscaloosa. He loves anything creative and is an amateur printmaker, making relief and monoprints in his spare time. He believes strongly in fostering community and advocating for equality and equity. Huey joined the Mystic Krewe of the Druids in 2018 and has served on the board to help raise funding for Five Horizons Health Services (formerly West Alabama AIDS Outreach). He is also a proud plant daddy to a jungle of house plants.
Saaphyr has been around (in some form or fashion) since 2008. She was named by Bambi Kira, her Drag-Nana. She’s the Mistress of Bingo, and loves to interact with the community. She loves to swear, but only in the appropriate places.