By Marlee Card, Nova Southeastern University
Mark B. Kent is celebrating 10 years as executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF), one of the largest LGBTQ+ performing arts organizations in the Southeast. GMCSF’s Board Chair Fred Boykin noted that it was a perfect match from the start.
“From our very first conversation, I knew Mark brought a rare blend of deep passion and unwavering professionalism to the chorus,” Boykin recalled. “His leadership has shaped an organization and culture grounded in mutual respect, heart, and vision.””
With a career rooted in the arts—including roles at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts—Kent found a way to bring his professional experience home, both personally and geographically.
“Mark never shies away from honest dialogue, even when we don’t see eye to eye—and that’s what makes him a truly remarkable leader,” Boykin said. “Over the past ten years, his care for every individual, from new members to seasoned board chairs, has defined his legacy at GMCSF.”
OutClique® checked in with Kent as the chorus marks this milestone anniversary.
Marlee Card: What inspired you to join GMCSF?
Mark Kent: “I’ve done a lot to help people, but I never did anything to help my own community, the LGBT community. I saw this listing and thought, ‘Oh my God. I can actually use my talent and my skills to help my own community and end up back down in South Florida, which is ultimately where I wanna be.’”
Marlee Card: How has your leadership style changed over time?
Mark Kent: “Every organization’s got a unique personality. For the Chorus, it’s so intensely volunteer-driven.You really have to work in a very collaborative way. You uplift them—that’s a big part of the job, and I enjoy that.”
Marlee Card: How did COVID-19 affect the organization?
Mark Kent: “The biggest challenge really was when COVID hit. Chorus singing was one of the worst things you could do, but we recorded chorus members doing their part, edited them into a video movie, and showed those at drive-in events. We could still stay connected because that’s what we do.”
Marlee Card: What’s been your proudest moment?
Mark Kent: “Certainly when we emerged from COVID, that was a great moment. And when we first formed our partnership with Hard Rock Live I was extremely proud. Also, when the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce awarded us Small Business of the Year. That was meaningful because it’s a mainstream chamber, not LGBT-based.”
Marlee Card: How does the Chorus serve the LGBTQ+ community?
Mark Kent: “We’re the storytellers. We capture the LGBT experience in a way that’s emotional—we use music. That’s a great platform to build bridges of understanding, growth and acceptance.”
Marlee Card: How do you measure the Chorus’s impact?
Mark Kent: “After every concert, we send out audience surveys… and we ask if the experience positively impacted their perceptions of the LGBT community. Usually 80 to 90% say yes. That’s how we know we’re making a difference.”
Marlee Card: What advice would you give to young leaders in the arts or LGBTQ+ nonprofits?
Mark Kent: “Always remember it’s a business. Make sure your board includes people with marketing, branding, fundraising and planning experience. And find something that really is a passion of yours—nonprofit work is hard.”
Marlee Card: How do you balance mission with financial reality?
Mark Kent: “You live within your means. Too often, nonprofits try to do too much too soon. Both programming and business sides have to work together.”
Marlee Card: What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
Mark Kent: “When I started, they bought the computers, they bought the desk. Now we occupy the second floor of a building, we’ve got full-time staff, and our budget is $1.4 million. That’s the legacy—I helped build it from a small community nonprofit to a large arts organization.”
Marlee Card is a student reporter in NSU’s feature writing course taught by Dr. Megan Fitzgerald in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.
