EVERY FOUR years, the crisp January air buzzes with anticipation as a diverse crowd gathers on the National Mall. Red, white, and blue flags and banners wave from the west front of the U.S. Capitol, its dome standing regally against the pale winter sky, a symbol of enduring democracy.
When the moment arrives, silence falls as the familiar words of the oath of office ring out. In that instant, regardless of political affiliations, everyone present is united in witnessing this cornerstone of governance. For over two centuries, the inauguration ceremony has marked the peaceful transfer of power — a testament to the strength of American democracy.
This year, among the inauguration’s banners were directional signs commissioned by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), crafted by Gates Flag & Banner, a small company from Lynchburg. Gates was founded in 1870, and Dan and Anna Ebersold, the company’s current leadership, is the fifth-generation family business owner. Designed by a team led by Kenan Bell, the banners represented a wayfinding tool and a spirit of service. Just as the president pledges to serve all Americans, Bell’s life embodies a commitment to community and connection — reminding us that authentic leadership begins with serving others.
For Bell, the principles of service and community have always guided him. Since graduating from Liberty University, he has embraced every opportunity to give back. Whether through the local nonprofits he serves or on the job, each endeavor reflects his commitment to building relationships and making a meaningful impact. Every role reinforces the values that have shaped his path.
“I love serving,” Bell said, reflecting on his upbringing. “My father loved to serve ‘under the radar.’ He wanted to make an impact, not for show but for a purpose: doing by serving, which ultimately can lead to deeper conversations. I have taken this to heart in everything I do.”
This paternal example became Bell’s first directional sign, pointing him toward a life dedicated to community engagement. He teamed up with his first employer to assist Friends of El Salvador of Annapolis, Maryland.
“The main purpose of the organization was to help a community economically by building new homes and rentals (51 to date), rural schools, and a seminary to house 60 pastoral students,” Bell explained. “The strong relationships made through this organization and the rural area we served in El Salvador are still ongoing.”
In Lynchburg, Bell soon learned that discovering how closely connected you are to someone you just met is like a game of two degrees of separation. Each personal interaction is an opportunity to find a greater common purpose than it appears on the surface. As his local relationships grew, so did their collective abilities to serve others. It connected him to M4K Lynchburg, a local nonprofit organization that aims to help underprivileged children in the greater Lynchburg area.
“It’s a charity for charities, if you will. One of my goals has been to connect the faith-based community with this organization,” Bell said. “If my father has taught me anything, it’s that if you help make an impact on a life by being present and giving, that life will be open to hearing any other advice you have if the opportunity arises.”
As one connection led to another, Bell met the director of the Home Builders Association of Central Virginia (HBACV). This organization supports local home builders through legislative advocacy at the state and national levels, aiming to create more affordable housing in central Virginia. The HBACV’s main charitable events include the Scholarship Raffle and Touch-A-Truck. Over the past decade, the scholarship raffle has raised over $120,000, benefiting over 70 children of HBACV members. Meanwhile, Touch-A-Truck has generated nearly $200,000 for local charities, serving between 4,000 and 9,000 children and family members each fall.
It’s the Touch-A-Truck event that Bell, the group’s incoming president, enjoys the most.
“To see the kids’ faces when they first drive up and walk into the field full of over 80 vehicles, including two monster trucks, is worth the year of planning,” he shared. “Each year, we discuss what went right wrong and what we can do better. Get ready for a better event in 2025!”
One month into his new position at Gates Flag & Banner, Bell received an unexpected email from the AOC regarding the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. The AOC sought to partner with a small, women-owned, or minority-owned certified company to create banner bridges with directional banners for the prestigious event. Since Gates Flag & Banner fit the mold perfectly, Bell saw this as an exciting opportunity.
After an initial three-hour conversation with the AOC to understand their needs, Bell and his team set to work. Four months later, they presented their ideas to address the inauguration’s challenges. The project gained momentum in late October, just before the election. The AOC awarded Gates Flag & Banner the sole source contract in the following weeks.
“It has been an honor for me and my company to work with the AOC,” Bell reflected.
With the contract secured, the real work was just beginning. Bell and his team looked forward to the inauguration project and potential opportunities in 2026 for the country’s 250th-anniversary celebrations.
The opportunity to design banners for the Presidential Inauguration was an unexpected turn in Bell’s journey but felt like a natural progression. It aligned perfectly with his philosophy of building relationships and solving problems through collaboration.
“For any project, I truly believe it’s not what you know; it’s who you know,” he said, emphasizing how connections formed in Lynchburg led to this national project.
As Bell navigates future projects with his employer and the nonprofits he serves, he continues to draw inspiration from the values instilled in him from an early age: service, compassion, and community connection. Much like the banners his company creates, these principles help point the way for others through service and commitment to the community. GN
