Pastor David Gay is Making Black History as a Mental Health and Well-Being Advocate
Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2023 Black History Makers of Alabama.
Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter for their continued support.
Black History Maker of Alabama - Pastor David Gay
Black History Makers of Alabama honors Pastor David Gay for his efforts in mental health and community well-being throughout West Alabama.
Gay graduated from Druid High School in 1974 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Christian Life School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia before receiving his master's in social work from the University of Alabama in 1982.
Gay began his career in mental health at Bryce Hospital where he began working as a mental health aide. He worked up the ranks to become Bryce Hospital's first African American director. Under his leadership, he managed a $54 million budget and was responsible for supervising the hospital's 1,200 employees.
Gay also served as director of Taylor Harden Secure Medical Facility. His contributions in mental health earned him numerous awards, including a Governor's Proclamation recognizing his contribution in mental health.
Gay is currently serving as the CEO of Whatley Health Services, which has 12 sites in seven counties throughout West Alabama, serving the most vulnerable in our community.
Gay is the senior Pastor at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church where they use several ministries, including their housing, clothing, and feeding outreach ministries, to give back to the Tuscaloosa community.
Gay was awarded the Tuscaloosa Ministerial Alliance Religious and Civic Person of the Year Award in 2021, inducted into the Tuscaloosa Civic Hall of Fame's Class of 2021, inducted in the Community Foundation 2022 Pillars of West Alabama and recently received the Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Man of the Year award.
Outside of Gay's mental health and pastoral accomplishments, he has served and is currently a member of several board of directors for various organizations, including United Way, Red Cross, Temporary Emergency Services, Department of Human Resources, PARA Foundation, and Elevate Tuscaloosa.
In reference to Black History, it is our history. Whether good or bad, it's still our history and the story must be told.
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2022 Black History Makers of Alabama
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