Ashley D. Bell's Location
Atlanta Metropolitan Area, United States, United States
Ashley D. Bell's Contact Details
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About Ashley D. Bell
Ashley is an accomplished attorney, banking professional and serial entrepreneur. Ashley founded and currently serves as CEO of Ready Life, the new financial technology platform that is disrupting the mortgage industry by pioneering a new path to homeownership that works to unhinge the importance for credit scores and other barriers. He is also the cofounder, with Dr. Bernice A. King, of Ready Entertainment, a production company that is dedicated to creating movies and TV shows with strong social justice messages. Ready Entertainment recently merged with P3 Media where Ashley serves a leader on its board.Ashley helms the Black-led investor group preparing to acquire the Utah-based, nonminority-owned Holladay Bank & Trust, a first-of-its-kind transaction that will create Redemption Bank, pending regulatory approval. This would stand to be the first black owned bank in the Rocky Mountains.Ashley serves as the General Counsel for the National Black Bank Foundation and the $250 million Black Bank Fund, and in this role, facilitated the refinance of the construction loan for the Emory Sports Medicine Complex with a syndicate of Black-owned banks. The $35 million loan marked the first time a professional sports franchise had a significant loan underwritten exclusively by Black banks. Since then Ashley help facilitate over 1 Billion in related transactions with the likes of the NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA franchises and front offices.Ashley’s legal expertise spans public policy, business and banking, and he is the former White House Policy Advisor for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in the office of American Innovation. In 2018, Ashley was tapped to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Southeast Region. In 2020, he joined the world’s largest law firm, Dentons LLP, as a partner in their public policy practice. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Valdosta State University and Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from Louisiana State University. Ashley is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Civil Society Fellowship, A Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Ashley D. Bell Work Experience Details
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Chief Executive OfficerReady LifeAtlanta, Ga, Us -
Board MemberP3 Media Inc. Nov 2023 - PresentCo-Founding Ready Entertainment, with Dr. Bernice A. King, they created a production company that is dedicated to creating movies and TV shows with strong social justice messages. Ready Entertainment recently merged with P3 Media. P3 Media was founded by journalist Adam Ciralsky (the inspiration for Netflix’s hit Noah Centineo-led spy thriller “The Recruit”), P3 is expanding its lineup with upcoming feature doc “The Return.” That title, produced alongside Ciralsky’s P3 partner Gene Klein (“Suits,” “Covert Affairs”), centers on the White House’s efforts to free Americans held hostage abroad. -
Chief Executive OfficerReady Life Apr 2022 - PresentSan Francisco, Ca, UsFounder and CEO of technology start-up launched in the Fall of 2022 in collaboration with the founders of So-Fi and Figure, and support from JAM-FINTOP.This financial technology platform is disrupting the home lending industry by pioneering new pathways to homeownership that reduces the need for credit scores by leaning on more meaningful data points.
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Executive ChairmanRedemption Holding Company Jan 2022 - PresentRedemption is a Black-owned holding company that is currently acquiring non-MDI financial institutions around the United States in order to expand access to capital for marginalized communities -
Board MemberJunior Achievement Usa Mar 2021 - PresentColorado Springs, Colorado, Us -
General CounselNational Black Bank Foundation Nov 2020 - PresentCo-founder and General Counsel for the National Black Bank Foundation and the $250 million Black Bank Fund, and in this role, facilitated the refinance of the construction loan for the Emory Sports Medicine Complex with a syndicate of Black-owned banks. The $35 million loan marked the first time a professional sports franchise had a significant loan underwritten exclusively by Black banks. Led a $45 million transaction featuring two Black-owned banks to develop The Trade, a new Autograph Collection® hotel by Marriott at the steps of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee's Deer District. Serves as the Lead Director of the Minority Depository Institution Innovation Committee recently formed as part of a partnership between JAM-FINTOP and NBBF. Led a team of attorneys at Dentons working on the launch of a new Mission-Driven Bank Fund, a capital investment vehicle being developed by the FDIC to support insured Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). This work resulted in Denton’s team being named Law360’s Fund Formation Group of the Year.
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Fellow, The Civil Society Fellowship, A Partnership Of Adl And The Aspen InstituteThe Aspen Institute Dec 2019 - PresentWashington, District Of Columbia, UsThe Civil Society Fellowship is modeled on the Henry Crown Fellowship, the premier leadership development program at the Aspen Institute that moves leaders from “success to significance.” The Civil Society Fellowship builds on the Henry Crown approach of recruiting a “mosaic” of participants that represent the breadth of our country’s diversity and commit them to intense introspection and dialog. Each emerging Civil Society Fellowship cohort of leaders will have the opportunity to engage with one another through experiential learning and informed dialogue, building trust based on shared insights and mutual respect. -
Trustee, Board Of Trustees, Valdosta State University Foundation, Inc.Valdosta State University Jan 2020 - PresentValdosta, Ga, UsThe VSU Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1963 to support the development of educational excellence at Valdosta State University. Gifts to the Foundation provide scholarship opportunities for VSU students, research support of faculty and students, assistance with scholarly travel opportunities for faculty and students, facility enhancements, equipment purchases, and many other donor-directed initiatives. -
Public Policy InstructorValdosta State University Aug 2021 - Jun 2022Valdosta, Ga, UsAshley uses his decades of state, local, and federal experience, along with success in law and politics, to serve as part time instructor teaching upper level Public Policy at Valdosta State University.
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CounselDentons Apr 2022 - Aug 2023Worldwide, GbAshley served as Counsel in the Public Policy group with a special emphasis on banking, finance and capital markets. -
PartnerDentons Oct 2020 - Jun 2022Worldwide, GbLeveraging his extensive experience with both the public and private sectors, Ashley was a partner in the Public Policy practice prior to transitioning his focus to corporate finance and banking. Ashley represented global private equity firms in real estate and hospitality acquisitions and represented. advocacy organizations around affordable housing and criminal justice reform at the state and federal level.After serving as a Partner in the Public Policy Group, Ashley served as Counsel from April 2022-August 2023.
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PartnerBell & Washington, Llp May 2006 - Sep 2022Founded and managed multi-million-dollar law firm that guided over $500 million in public finance projects from resolution to closing. Oversaw team of attorneys located in several states with active litigation and projects extending from California to New York. Over ten years’ experience in public finance, government relations, general civil litigation. Extensive experience as bond counsel & underwriters counsel for local governments & banks all over the country, with public bond transactions totaling more than $500M in the last 5 years alone. Advised local municipalities on public finance transactions to create and spur rural & urban development. Listed in the “Red Book” of America’s top municipal bond attorneys. Advised international and national corporations on various litigation and expansion issues in the energy and labor & employment sectors. Previously served as General Counsel, National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO), (2012-14); Special Counsel, National League of Cities, Black Caucus (NBC-LEO), (2013-2015); Special Counsel, World Conference of Mayors, (2014) representing hundreds of mayors of color around the world. Appointed by National Association of County Officials to represent the interest of county governments before state and federal policy makers on the issue of public safety. Extensive trial experience in all state and federal courts in Georgia, including the state’s Supreme Court. Has argued before the state Supreme Court creating landmark new case law protecting litigants’ rights across the state.
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Founder20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center Mar 2015 - Jun 2022Gainesville, Georgia, UsFounder of the first and only nationwide organization of leading black Democrats and Republicans working together on criminal justice reform. Formerly supervised, directed and engaged organization activities nationwide. Acquired funding and production support from major corporations such as Verizon, BET, Facebook & Google to host both the “2015 Presidential Justice Forum” and the “2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum,” the only bipartisan town halls during the 2015-2016 and current presidential primaries, featuring the actual candidates with an exclusive focus on criminal justice reform as it affects the black community. More here: 2020club.org -
Member, Leadership Atlanta, Class Of 2020Leadership Atlanta Apr 2019 - Aug 2021Atlanta, Georgia, UsCelebrating more than 49 years of developing leaders, Leadership Atlanta is one of the oldest sustained community leadership programs in the nation. Together with an expansive network of distinguished alumni, Leadership Atlanta continues a proud tradition of connecting and inspiring leaders to strengthen metro Atlanta's communities. The core of Leadership Atlanta's programming is a signature nine-month, executive-level series. Approximately 85 established leaders are chosen each year to represent a broad cross-section of metro Atlanta.Through retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, discussion groups and community tours, members explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders and build relationships of trust and mutual understanding. -
Policy Advisor For Entrepreneurship & InnovationExecutive Office Of The President Oct 2019 - Oct 2020Ashley is the White House Policy Advisor for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in the Office of American Innovation, which makes recommendations to the President on policies and plans that improve government operations and services, improve the quality of life for Americans now and in the future, and spur job creation. These recommendations are developed in collaboration with career staff, along with private sector and other external thought leaders.
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Regional AdministratorU.S. Small Business Administration Feb 2018 - Oct 2020Washington, Dc, UsAshley is the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration for Region IV, serving Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri. He oversees nine District Directors delivering all agency services to over 500 employees and partners dedicated to ensuring entrepreneurs have the support and tools they need to start, grow and succeed in business. In only one year in his position, Ashley has successfully delivered SBA products and services to untapped areas through his “Rural Strong Initiative,” which has allowed the SBA to reach rural, often low-income neighborhoods across the Southeast that often include many minority-owned small businesses. Rural Strong was initially a pilot program created by Ashley in the southeast and has since been adopted and implemented nationwide by SBA.Under Ashley’s leadership, SBA microloans that range from $500 to $50,000 with an average loan of $13,000, have soared. For microloans, there was a ~43% increase in the total number of loans granted to African Americans, which was a ~32% increase in dollar value of loans. Ashley created a comprehensive strategy called “Drive 8a” to increase minority participation in federal contracting. Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act of 1953 allows the SBA to steer government contracts to minority businesses owned by and others with socioeconomic hardships. The 8(a) Business Development Program, offers management training, technical assistance and mentoring, and access to government contracts without competition (no-bid contracts) for up to nine years up to 4 million dollars. However, the number of these firms has been steadily declining for 12 years. Through “Drive 8a,” Ashley has aimed to increase the number of qualified firms by working with local municipalities and business associations that focus on women and minority contracting. -
Associate Director, External AffairsPeace Corps Jul 2017 - Feb 2018Washington, District Of Columbia, UsIn 2017, Mr. Bell was appointed by the White House to serve as Associate Director for External Affairs of Peace Corps, providing leadership support for the Peace Corps' external engagement with other agencies and partners, the media, Congress and management of its Gifts and Grants. Mr. Bell advised the Peace Corps Director and senior staff on matters related to the Peace Corps external affairs operations; developed and implemented Peace Corps external affairs policies, procedures, goals and objectives; lead agency efforts to engage, inform, and educate external stakeholders in support of agency’s mission, priorities, programs, and initiatives; set Peace Corps-wide external affairs priorities; and oversaw the offices of Gifts and Grants Management; Strategic Partnerships & Intergovernmental Affairs; Communications; and Congressional Relations. -
Special Assistant, Bureau Of Public AffairsU.S. Department Of State Feb 2017 - Jul 2017Washington, Dc, UsMost recently, Mr. Bell served as Special Assistant in the Public Affairs Bureau of the United States Department of State. In this role, he provided advice and strategy regarding the Secretary of State’s domestic engagement agenda, collaborated with the US Diplomacy Center’s Educational Programs to conduct student foreign policy simulations at under-served colleges and universities, organized foreign policy briefings for stakeholders and NGOs in cooperation with the White House Domestic Policy and National Security Council, engaged diasporas in the Asian-Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, African, Caribbean and Latin-American communities to amplify and communicate the foreign policy of the administration, and served as the Public Affairs Liaison to the White House. During the Trump Pence Transition, he served as Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs Lead on the Landing Team at the State Department. -
Member, National CouncilAipac Mar 2013 - Feb 2017Washington, Dc, UsAs a member of AIPAC’s National Council, advised leadership on where select congressional leadership stood on various legislation relating to the organization’s mission. Coordinated with regional and local lay leaders to lobby and promote legislation in Congress intended to further strengthen the American-Israel relationship; lead delegations of American political leaders and business leaders on trips to the Middle East to explore the pressing issues in the regions; lead dozens of in-office meetings with members of Congress and senior organizational staff to discuss funding and legislation critical to the organization’s mission -
Vice Chair County CommissionHall County Government Jul 2008 - Dec 2012Youngest ever elected official to represent the 3rd fastest growing MSA in America and only elected African American in the state to represent a majority Hispanic population. Bell was the only African American on the County Commission. Guided the county through the recession of 2008-09 in part by publishing a public appeal to the citizens called “In the Defense of Difficulty” that maintained government services and created public private partnerships to cut costs and create jobs. The county adopted Chairman Bell’s budget and ended the fiscal year with a surplus. Created the 2nd in the nation county-wide Environmental Management System that institutionalized the concept of sustainability in government and partnered with all major local industries to reduce pollution and promote conservation. Wrote and passed the strongest Ethics laws in county history. Lead oversight of millions of dollars of federal grants to improve neighborhoods and increase public safety. -
InternCongressional Black Caucus Foundation 1999 - 1999Washington, D.C., UsServed as CBCF Intern in the office of Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr for the 2nd District of Georgia. After his time as a CBCF Intern the CBCF awarded Ashley the CBCF Spouses Academic Scholarship and not shortly after he was hired by the Congressman as a Field Representative.
Ashley D. Bell Skills
Public Policy
Legal Writing
Public Speaking
Political Campaigns
Community Outreach
Litigation
Appeals
Coalitions
Civil Litigation
Leadership
Commercial Litigation
Government
Politics
Policy
Strategic Planning
Ashley D. Bell Education Details
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Louisiana State UniversityLaw -
Harvard Kennedy School21St Century Leadership
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The University Of GeorgiaLaw
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Valdosta State UniversityPolitical Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Ashley D. Bell
What company does Ashley D. Bell work for?
Ashley D. Bell works for Ready Life
What is Ashley D. Bell's role at the current company?
Ashley D. Bell's current role is Chief Executive Officer.
What is Ashley D. Bell's email address?
Ashley D. Bell's email address is as****@****ail.com
What is Ashley D. Bell's direct phone number?
Ashley D. Bell's direct phone number is +167893*****
What schools did Ashley D. Bell attend?
Ashley D. Bell attended Louisiana State University, Harvard Kennedy School, The University Of Georgia, Valdosta State University.
What are some of Ashley D. Bell's interests?
Ashley D. Bell has interest in Electronics, Home Improvement, Music, Movies, Collecting.
What skills is Ashley D. Bell known for?
Ashley D. Bell has skills like Public Policy, Legal Writing, Public Speaking, Political Campaigns, Community Outreach, Litigation, Appeals, Coalitions, Civil Litigation, Leadership, Commercial Litigation, Government.
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