MOJA Arts Festival to honor Dr. Thaddeus Bell and community leaders

The City of Charleston and MOJA Arts will host the Community Heroes Gala on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the South Carolina Aquarium. The event will honor several local leaders for their contributions to the community.

Dr. Thaddeus J. Bell, a physician and health equity advocate, will receive the inaugural MOJA Arts Community Icon Award. The recognition follows his 40-year career and his ‘Closing the Gap’ initiative, which focuses on making health information accessible and addressing disparities.

Additional Medals of Honor will be presented to educator Cheryl Swinton, Joni D. Nelson of the Medical University of South Carolina, and community advocate and artist Marcus McDonald.