Nehemiah Announces Leadership Transition

Dr. Alex Gee Passes the Baton to Longtime Partner, Nehemiah Executive Vice President Harry Hawkins

The Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development proudly announces a significant transition in leadership. As of May 8, 2025, Dr. Alex Gee, the visionary Founder and long-serving CEO of Nehemiah, will step into the new role of President Emeritus and Chair of the Board. Harry Hawkins, who has served Nehemiah for the past eight years in various leadership roles, will assume the position of President.

Dr. Gee, whose vision catalyzed Nehemiah’s founding more than 30 years ago, will continue to be engaged with Nehemiah by mentoring staff, stewarding relationships with legacy supporters, and conducting quarterly staff leadership trainings.

Dr. Gee’s impact on the Madison community and beyond is indelible. Over the past three decades, Nehemiah has grown from a grassroots dream into a transformative force for racial equity and leadership development in Dane County. Under his stewardship, Nehemiah has served thousands through culturally grounded educational and leadership programs, reentry housing and employment services and cross-cultural racial justice initiatives such as the Black History for a New Day course. From pioneering youth mentorship in the early 1990s to creating innovative rites of passage for Black boys and girls, Nehemiah has stayed true to its mission: to empower the Black community, redesign unjust systems, and transform the face of leadership.

Reflecting on this new chapter, Mr. Hawkins shared,

“I am humbled, excited, and nervous about my new role—all at the same time. I’m excited because I get to continue the work I’ve helped to shape and uplift over the last eight years… I’m humbled because this is a big job. ‘President’ doesn’t describe the responsibility of stewarding a community asset that has stood the test of time.”

Dr. Gee expressed his confidence in Hawkins,

“Harry has long shown his capacity for vision, compassion, and action. He has already proven himself as a trusted leader and someone deeply committed to empowering the Black community and redesigning systems to be more just and equitable.” 

To learn more about this transition and Nehemiah’s continuing mission to empower the Black community, rebuild systems, and transform the face of leadership, please watch the conversation below and visit www.nehemiah.org.