Josh Coleman, MPA

Josh Coleman is a civic leader, political strategist, and public servant based in Birmingham, Alabama, whose work sits at the intersection of democracy, local government, and LGBTQ+ advocacy in the South.

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Coleman currently serves as the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Birmingham, where he works closely with Mayor Randall L. Woodfin and city leadership to strengthen relationships between local government, community partners, and residents. In this role, he helps guide public engagement, civic initiatives, and intergovernmental collaboration with a focus on transparency, equity, and trust in government.

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In 2018, Coleman was appointed by Mayor Woodfin as the City’s first LGBTQ+ Liaison, a role created to ensure that LGBTQ+ residents, employees, and visitors are represented in municipal policy and practice. Since then, he has worked alongside the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board to advance inclusive policies, expand community dialogue, and position Birmingham as a more welcoming city for all.

 

Beyond his work in city government, Coleman is deeply engaged in political organizing and movement-building. He is a Member of the Democratic National Committee, serves as Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, and is a co-founder of Blueprint Alabama, a digital-first political organization focused on candidate recruitment, strategic communications, and expanding Democratic infrastructure across the state.

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Coleman also serves as President of Central Alabama Pride, where he leads one of the South’s longest-running Pride organizations. Under his leadership, Central Alabama Pride has expanded its programming beyond Pride Month to include year-round community engagement, civic education, and mutual aid initiatives. The organization has received national recognition, including being named an award recipient by The Advocate, and Coleman’s work through Pride has been highlighted on The Kelly Clarkson Show, bringing national attention to LGBTQ+ advocacy and community-building in Alabama.

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Raised in Cullman, Alabama, Coleman’s personal journey informs his professional work. After coming out as a teenager and experiencing housing instability, he has remained committed to creating pathways for LGBTQ+ youth, strengthening community institutions, and ensuring that local government works for the people it serves. His approach to leadership is grounded in accessibility, storytelling, and the belief that democracy is strongest when people understand how power works and how to participate in it.

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Coleman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Miles College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is also an alumnus of the Obama Leaders USA program and was selected to participate in the Harvard–Bloomberg Civic Engagement and Leadership initiative, experiences that further shaped his commitment to inclusive leadership, civic participation, and public service.

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In addition to his public service, Coleman leads Iron City Communications, a consulting firm providing strategic communications, public affairs, and advocacy support to campaigns, organizations, and leaders across Alabama and the South.

Whether working in government, organizing in the community, or advising clients, Coleman is driven by a simple principle: government should be human, democracy should be accessible, and leadership should create space for more voices—not fewer.