Rev. Fred L. Bell spent years advising students and empowering individuals in his academic and pastoral roles. Now, he’s ready to apply those skills to Lorain County Community Action Agency.

The Oberlin native joined the LCCAA Board of Trustees April 29. After migrating from the south in the 1950s, Bell and his seven siblings were raised in the community where he still lives. Bell holds degrees from Ashland Theological Seminary, Bowling Green State University and Cleveland State University.

For 30 years, he worked as an Academic Advisement Specialist at Lorain County Community College. Advising both traditional and non-traditional students, he served as a front-line crisis intervention resource for students having emotional, personal or career indecision difficulties. He also served as a liaison in the implementation of the Tech Prep Program and a mentor for the Minority Incentive Award program. He retired in 2019.

Beginning in 2011, Bell took on the additional role of pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin, retiring in 2025.

“I want to thank the board members for this opportunity to serve the residents of our community,” Bell said.

Bell represents the low-income sector on the LCCAA Board after being voted as a representative of the Head Start Policy Council. Meeting federal requirements, LCCAA’s Board consists of three sections: public (usually elected officials or their designees), private (business leaders or community members), and low-income (low-income residents or those who serve them). Terms are for five years.