Will Martin is a busy man. He’s likely most well-known as the board president of Charlotte Pride. But there are many other things in the Queen City he’s involved with. He’s a board member of the Charlotte Film Society, an Eagle Scout and he has served as a volunteer for Charlotte’s Reel Out Film festival for several years. A native North Carolinian, he loves his home state and is committed to helping Charlotte be the best and most inclusive place for everyone who calls it home.
We talked with him recently and he shared his thoughts about the city, his involvement with Pride and more.
David Aaron Moore: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from?
Will Martin: I was born on the coast of North Carolina, but my family moved all over the Carolinas until we arrived in Charlotte in 1988, so I’m NC born and bred!
DAM: What do you like most about Charlotte?
WM: Charlotte is a large [city], but a small town. I’ve traveled all over the country, and I haven’t met a town that I would rather live in. I tease and say that the only way to make it any better is if we could move Charlotte to the mountains, but being only two-and-a-half hours away from god’s country and three hours from the beach is not a bad place to live.
DAM: What area of Charlotte and/or the Metro region do you call home, and what about it makes you happy?
WM: I live on the Union County side of Matthews. When we first moved to the Charlotte region, we landed at a church here in Matthews, and I’ve been in love with the area ever since. I’m a small town type of guy that wants big city conveniences.
DAM: What is your line of work or career focus?
WM: I’m a freelance video technician in the corporate field. But over the years, I’ve done a little bit of everything – from working as a grip on corporate videos and movies to driving trucks as a teamster on productions filming here in the Charlotte region.
DAM: When did you first volunteer with Charlotte Pride, and how long have you been involved?
WM: August 17, 2014, was my first time volunteering during the festival and parade, and I’ve been hooked ever since. But, I first worked with the organization earlier that year when I brought and operated equipment that the Charlotte Film Society loaned to the Gay Film Festival [now Reel Out Charlotte].
DAM: Both with Charlotte Pride and life in general, what keeps you motivated?
WM: Family and friends are what keep me going. I treasure the time I get to spend with them. I’ve always been a servant at heart, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about helping others, even in the smallest ways. Knowing that I’ve made a difference for someone is what motivates me to keep showing up and doing the work.
DAM: Are you strong and single or partnered and proud?
WM: Strong and single, but looking [laughs].
DAM: What are some specific hobbies or interests you have?
WM: I’m a collector and a big ol’ nerd. I have well over 1000 movies on disc. I still collect some comic books, legos and love to go antiquing and spending time on day hikes in the woods, but really only in the fall and early spring when the bugs are at bay! Also I enjoy reading, but I am slow at it and my to-be-read pile keeps getting bigger and bigger.
DAM: What makes you laugh?
WM: Everything, my friends, my nieces and nephews [15 and counting], my family; I love to laugh!
DAM: How do you think your friends would describe you?
WM: Loyal and passionate.
DAM: Any thoughts you’d like to share with LGBTQ+ community members who would like to get involved with Pride?
WM: It takes hundreds of volunteers, thousands of hours to put on the festival and parade weekend, along with all the programming that we do throughout the year like the Job and Career Fair & Reel Out Charlotte, the only LGBTQ+ film festival in Charlotte. We are always looking for people to come and help, no time is too little! Even if you can’t help with your time, maybe consider becoming a Friend of Pride and donating monetarily! We have a small but mighty staff and board, and along with the passion of all of our volunteers, we strive to make Charlotte a more inclusive place to live for all!
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
