New Director at William Way LGBT Community Center Seeks to Focus on Outreach Amid Uncertainty.
Darius McLean, the new executive director of Philadelphia's iconic William Way LGBT Community Center, has brought a wealth of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy and leadership to his role. The 29-year-old leader was first introduced to the organization during a school field trip in 2006, and it left an indelible mark on him.
In July 2025, McLean officially replaced longtime director Chris Bartlett and has been working tirelessly to address the center's tumultuous year. In the summer, the organization announced plans to sell its space in the Gayborhood and close the doors of this historic institution by December. However, due to public outcry and fundraising efforts, multiple funding sources stepped forward to cover the costs of renovating the 175-year-old building.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the renovation timeline – which McLean intends to update soon – he remains committed to prioritizing community outreach during his tenure. By June, he plans to launch a needs assessment survey to gauge how LGBTQ+ individuals are being served across the city and host a town hall event. This initiative aims to ensure that the center is serving its most vulnerable populations effectively.
As the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, McLean is keenly aware of the importance of championing inclusion and empowering marginalized voices. In his previous role as director and chief operating officer at the Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center at William Way, he expanded financial assistance for underprivileged queer residents and advocated for pay transparency.
"My hope is that we continue to facilitate a space of growth, both internally and externally with our community," McLean said, emphasizing the need to prioritize equity and inclusion in all aspects of the center's work. "I want to make sure that we're empowering folks, particularly those who have been historically silenced or marginalized."
Darius McLean, the new executive director of Philadelphia's iconic William Way LGBT Community Center, has brought a wealth of experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy and leadership to his role. The 29-year-old leader was first introduced to the organization during a school field trip in 2006, and it left an indelible mark on him.
In July 2025, McLean officially replaced longtime director Chris Bartlett and has been working tirelessly to address the center's tumultuous year. In the summer, the organization announced plans to sell its space in the Gayborhood and close the doors of this historic institution by December. However, due to public outcry and fundraising efforts, multiple funding sources stepped forward to cover the costs of renovating the 175-year-old building.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the renovation timeline – which McLean intends to update soon – he remains committed to prioritizing community outreach during his tenure. By June, he plans to launch a needs assessment survey to gauge how LGBTQ+ individuals are being served across the city and host a town hall event. This initiative aims to ensure that the center is serving its most vulnerable populations effectively.
As the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, McLean is keenly aware of the importance of championing inclusion and empowering marginalized voices. In his previous role as director and chief operating officer at the Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center at William Way, he expanded financial assistance for underprivileged queer residents and advocated for pay transparency.
"My hope is that we continue to facilitate a space of growth, both internally and externally with our community," McLean said, emphasizing the need to prioritize equity and inclusion in all aspects of the center's work. "I want to make sure that we're empowering folks, particularly those who have been historically silenced or marginalized."
I think it's awesome that Darius McLean is focusing on community outreach at William Way LGBT Community Center 
. He sounds like he really gets what the community needs and wants. 50 years old is a big deal, but let's be real, who doesn't love a good anniversary party 
? I'm kinda worried about the renovation timeline tho, hoping it gets done ASAP 
. McLean seems super passionate about making sure everyone is served effectively 
. And honestly, who can blame him for wanting to empower marginalized voices? It's time we give those guys more love 
. Can't wait to see what he does next!
, and i gotta say, he sounds like a breath of fresh air 
. the fact that he's only 29, but already making waves in lgbtq+ advocacy is pretty impressive 
. i love how he wants to focus on outreach and ensuring that the community is being served effectively 
. his commitment to inclusion and empowering marginalized voices is exactly what we need more of 
. as someone who's been around for a while, it's awesome to see younger leaders taking the reins and making a positive impact 
. hope he succeeds in revamping the center and creating a space that truly reflects the needs of the community 
. But let's be real, 175-year-old buildings need renovation, and they can't just ignore the maintenance costs 
. That being said, I love that Darius McLean is prioritizing equity and inclusion in his work - it's about time we focus on serving our most vulnerable populations effectively 
, im glad McLean is focusin on outreach tho, cuz u need 2 make sure ur org is servin the people who really need it. needs assessment survey sounds like a good start, but i wish they would do more research on how to fund this renovation. renovatin a old building can be super expensive 
️ let's get behind Darius and show our support for this amazing org! 
i mean, what's next? gonna sell the whole city? 
at least make sure they get ppl involved in the decision making process, cant just push through w/o input from the community 
interesting that the new director is focusing on outreach amid uncertainty, it shows he's thinking ahead and not just reacting to the situation, also his commitment to equity and inclusion is super inspiring 
. I mean, who wouldn't want a community center that's all about empowerin' marginalized voices? It's about time we had some real leadership at the top 
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?! But, thanks to public outcry and some awesome fundraising efforts, they're able to renovate the space instead. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly and they can get back up and runnin' soon 
. It's about time we prioritize equity and inclusion in everythin' we do! Let's keep hope alive and make sure everyone feels welcome and loved 
. As a 29-year-old leader with extensive experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy, McLean brings a fresh perspective to the role, prioritizing equity and inclusion above all else 
. With his leadership, William Way LGBT Community Center is poised to become an even more vital resource for Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community 
. that's like, super inspiring! 
did you know the center serves over 15k ppl annually? 
. I mean, I get it, the space is historic and all, but it's not like they can just keep using it forever. And selling it to a private entity? Not exactly what we need right now. The community center should be about serving its members, not making a quick buck 
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The stats are crazy - under his leadership in 2 yrs, the organization has seen a 35% increase in LGBTQ+ youth outreach programs & a 25% boost in fundraising efforts 
. McLean's commitment to addressing these disparities will be crucial in bridging this gap. Let's keep an eye on his progress and see how he'll make a lasting impact at William Way! 