Stephen A. Maglott 

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Stephen Maglott was born in Bangor Maine. Nurtured in his formative years in both Harlem and Buffalo, he was drawn to Civil Rights and social justice struggles early.  Working with street prostitutes, the homeless and migrant workers, he helped to create outreach programs and investigated instances where farm workers were held as modern-day slaves, resulting in changes to State laws.

 

Stephen attended Parson’s School of Design (The New School) while working for the United Nations, assigned as a researcher attached to the UN Commission on Apartheid.  He left school early to work as a Graphics Designer and Art Director for several major agencies.  He moved on for a few years at the request of his friend Rick James, relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1980’s, and working periodically with Teena Marie and Prince.  He fled California for Amsterdam in 1984 where he lived as an expatriate artist for a few years before returning to the US, and the Ad biz.

 

A new relationship and disenchantment with the corporate world led him to try his hand at domestic bliss when he and his partner became foster parents to two multiply handicapped boys.  He taught special education classes, began a catering business and served as the chief caretaker for the household. 

 

Stephen accepted a position with Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project, a Rochester, New York based HIV/AIDS prevention and case management program. He helped to open a Buffalo, New York, office, and assisted in the formation of the New York State Black Gay Network (NYSBGN). 

 

While on vacation, he helped his friend Byron W. Brown put together a campaign for a NYS Senate in 2000.  He stayed on as Director of Research under Senator Brown, but decided to return to New York City in 2005 when Byron launched a successful campaign to become Buffalo’s first Black Mayor.  He has continued his service to the New York State Senate and worked for “Obama for America” in 2008.

 

He served as Board President of Ujima Theatre, and on the Board of the Buffalo Caribbean Islands Festival, the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) and the Faith Leadership Roundtable of the City of Buffalo’s Commission on Citizens' Rights and Community Relations.

 

Stephen began Ubuntu Biography Project after realizing so few resources paid tribute to the remarkable lives and contributions of SGL/LGBT/Queer men and women of African descent.  Ubuntu has created tributes to approximately 500 men and women from around the world, and has more than 43,000 readers.

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Bishop A. Bernard Hector, proud father and grandfather to (AJ, Kai and Taj).  He is a contributor for 108 Organization “Real Talk with Real Men.”  Ben enjoys sharing his thought provoking daily inspirations on Face book, Instragram, and Twitter. He works tirelessly to raise awareness to causes in which he is passionate about like health awareness that will include HIV awareness, men homelessness, and back to school supply drives. He loves the theater, musicals, arts, travel, meaningful conversations and giving of his time, talent, and resources.