Caption:
LGBT leaders celebrate Paramount's new bank branch in Ferndale, including (from left) Craig Covey, openly gay Ferndale city councilman; Leslie Thompson, executive director of Affirmations; Grace McClelland, executive director of Ruth Ellis House; Jackie Washington, chair of Triangle Foundation; Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of Triangle Foundation; Jeff Sugg, president of Paramount Bank; John Allen, president of Ruth Ellis House; and John McQuiggin, the openly gay branch manager in Ferndale. Photo by Jan Stevenson
FERNDALE – Is it a bank, an art gallery or an LGBT-friendly gathering place? It's all of those, said Jeff Sugg, president of Paramount Bank at the July 29 opening of its newest branch in Ferndale.
More than 200 people attended the catered event, including LGBT leaders, city officials, artists, architects and fellow Ferndale business owners.
"This is a bank that's part of the community even before they open the doors," said Ferndale's Mayor Bob Porter.
"I'd like to thank our LGBT Advisory Board for pushing us to open in Ferndale," said Sugg, referring to the bank's monthly meetings with several LGBT business leaders and the directors of Triangle Foundation, Affirmations and Black Pride Society. "They have helped us connect to the LGBT community, to avoid the pitfalls and build good relationships. We are proud to be identified with the LGBT community."
The front part of the bank is an art gallery that will feature different artists, arranged by a curator on the bank's staff. The opening exhibit is "The Bus Stops Here," which features real benches designed by Cranbrook Academy of Art students. After the exhibit closes the benches will be deployed in downtown Ferndale at bus stops around town.
