Ashley Bell (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashley Bell
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| Administrator of the Small Business Administration for Region IV |
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| Assumed office February 26, 2018 |
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| Associate Director of the Peace Corps for External Affairs |
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| In office July 7, 2017 – February 21, 2018 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Gainesville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (since 2010) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 2010) |
| Alma mater | Valdosta State University (BA) Louisiana State University (JD) |
Ashley D. Bell is an American lawyer and government official. He helps lead the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a large area in the southeastern United States. This area is called Region IV. In 2019, he also became a special advisor at the White House. He helped with new business ideas and inventions.
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About Ashley Bell
Early Life and School
Ashley Bell grew up in Gainesville, Georgia. He went to Valdosta State University and earned a degree in political science. While there, he was president of the student government. He also started a local chapter of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity.
Later, he earned a law degree from Louisiana State University. He also studied at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has an honorary doctorate from Lighthouse College too.
His Career Journey
Working as a Lawyer
Ashley Bell started his career helping people who couldn't afford a lawyer. This is called being a public defender. Later, he helped start his own law firm in Atlanta. His firm worked on different types of legal cases. After working for the government, he joined a big law firm called Dentons.
Working in Politics
When he was 27, Ashley Bell was elected to the Hall County Commission in Georgia. This was his first big step in politics. He used to be a member of the Democratic Party. But in 2010, he changed and joined the Republican Party.
He worked on several important political campaigns:
- From 2011 to 2012, he helped with Newt Gingrich's campaign for president.
- In 2012, he advised Mitt Romney during his presidential campaign. He also helped lead a group called "Blacks for Romney."
- In 2014, he worked on Jack Kingston's campaign for the Senate.
- He was a national co-chair for Rand Paul's presidential campaign in 2016.
In 2016, Ashley Bell became a senior strategist for the Republican National Committee. He helped connect with African-American voters. In 2017, he joined the team that helped President Donald Trump start his term. He also worked as a Special Assistant in the Bureau of Public Affairs.
On July 7, 2017, he became an associate director for the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a group that sends American volunteers to help people in other countries. Ashley Bell helped manage their communications and partnerships.
Leading the Small Business Administration
On February 21, 2018, President Trump appointed Ashley Bell to a big role. He became the Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration (SBA) in Region IV.
This region includes:
In this role, Ashley Bell helps oversee billions of dollars in SBA-backed loans. These loans help small businesses grow. He also oversees programs that give advice to new business owners. Last year, over 225,000 entrepreneurs in his region got help. He also works with programs that help small businesses get government contracts.
Helping Others
Ashley Bell also works with non-profit groups.
- He started the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center. This group brings together people from different political parties. They work to improve the justice system.
- He also founded Generation Inspiration. This group helps young people in his hometown of Gainesville, Georgia. They teach important life skills that might not be taught in school. This helps students prepare for a successful future.
