For 2026, we are proud to have a power couple in the Charleston area: Dr. Thaddeus John Bell and Mrs. Cynthia Alston Bell as our Grand Marshals. Below are their bios.
Meet Dr. Thaddeus John Bell — a trailblazing family physician and founder of Closing the Gap in Health Care, a nonprofit dedicated to making health make sense in our communities. A MUSC graduate and former military flight surgeon, Dr. Bell has spent decades championing health equity and education across South Carolina. He’s a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and has been practicing medicine in Charleston and the Tri-County area for almost 50 years.
Meet Cynthia Alston Bell – a powerhouse in radio and digital marketing, known for crafting high-impact campaigns that blend community, creativity, and culture. She is a passionate advocate for community uplift, using her over 30 years of marketing expertise to empower nonprofits across South Carolina. As the marketing consultant for Closing the Gap in Healthcare, she blends purpose with strategy—driving campaigns that educate, inspire, and create lasting impact. Cynthia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Charleston Emancipation Proclamation Association 