Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. is one of the most dynamic, effective and respected public servants in Birmingham, Alabama, having served the City of Birmingham as councilor, council president, and mayor.

Mayor Bell was elected to a full term as Mayor of Birmingham, the largest city in the state of Alabama, in 2011. He was re-elected Mayor again in 2013.

As the Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Mayor Bell has overseen more than a billion dollars in economic development for the City including a new entertainment district, new baseball stadium and the expansion of the Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Mayor Bell continues to carry the Birmingham story of resilience, reconciliation and transformation throughout the world by partnering with the United Nations Education, Science, Culture Organization (UNESCO) to have the city of Birmingham designated as a World Heritage Historic Site in addition to the recently announced Birmingham Civil Rights monument. This designation will not only bring great international honor to Birmingham, but will also bring millions of dollars in international tourism from visitors who want to learn more about Birmingham’s rich civil and human rights history.

Mayor Bell continues to provide strong leadership in economic development for Birmingham". - Brian Hilson, President and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance

He has also represented the United States via the State Department at the United Nations Committee convening on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland to speak about Birmingham’s role in bringing dignity and honor to all people no matter their race, sex, or religion. Mayor Bell co-chairs the United States Conference of Mayors Committee on Human Rights and continues to co-chair President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” Initiative via the My Brothers Keeper Alliance. Mayor Bell is on the advisory board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the immediate past president of the African American Mayor's Association.

Mayor Bell is a graduate of John Carroll High School and the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and Guidance and Counseling. He also received his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Miles College. Dr. Bell has served as a probation officer in Family Court, sales consultant with the Xerox Corporation and Special Assistant to the Vice-President at UAB.

Mayor Bell is married to Dr. Sharon C. Bell, an administrator with the Birmingham City School System, and has two children and two grandsons. Judge William Anthony (Tony) Bell, Jr., a graduate Ramsay High School and The University of Alabama, is a Municipal Judge and attorney who maintains a private practice in Birmingham. He is married to Dr. Emily M. Bell, who is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Princeton Baptist Hospital. They are the proud parents of William Anthony (Trey) Bell, III and Ethan Melton Bell. Mayor Bell’s daughter Jillian, is also a graduate of Ramsay High School and the University of Alabama. She received her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from Antioch College and is a world traveler.