Remembering Steven Fulbright
By Julia Morrison
Photo by Matt Odom
“My life’s motto is to ‘move forward with purpose and direction,’ and I intend to move forward for this community and continue to be exhilarated by the work I do.” – Steven Fulbright
This exuberant motto defined the cherished presence of Steven Fulbright, a tireless community leader in Central Georgia. Steven shared this motto with MM in 2017 in his 5 Under 40 Young Leader profile, and left his beloved Macon in 2022, far too soon, at just 42 years old. As it reaches the second anniversary of his passing, we remember Steven, who many folks say lived up to his name as a full, bright light of positive energy that he was always willing to shine on his city.
He didn’t just move himself forward with purpose and direction – he moved us, too, and particularly moved the institutions in Macon that provide joy and gathering spaces. Steven had a love for travel and an early understanding of the world, born in Germany to a military family who moved around before settling in Jones County, where Steven graduated from high school.
Steven had always loved history, his major at Georgia College. So, it’s no surprise that he first fell in love with Macon through the lens of the historic Hay House and worked there for several years. He loved leading tours – in fact, giving a tour was how he met David Quackenbush in 2009. The two would marry there in a private ceremony in 2020. Steven also worked at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, continuing to polish his Downtown Macon tourism knowledge.
Though he couldn’t be onstage this year to accept the award, Steven was part of the spirit that made Macon a Great American Main Street. “I would want people to know that Steven was one of the loudest, most enthusiastic cheerleaders of Macon,” said Emily Hopkins (see page 50). He took the helm as the Main Street Manager and Downtown Development Specialist for Macon-Bibb County from 2014 to 2017.
Steven galvanized the community around downtown development with events like Christmas in Downtown and Macon Beer Festival. He worked on improvements that feel seamless and perhaps invisible today, like wayfinding signage, but immeasurably improved the downtown experience.
Mechel McKinley Hoffman, a close friend who preceded him in the role, describes years of professional camaraderie and office performances of showtunes, explaining, “I knew, in my heart, he was the guy for the job.” She felt like ideas that had been dreamed up during her tenure became reality under Steven: “He took all the introductions and became fast friends with everyone. He found resources I never could have imagined.”
He provided a long record of service at Visit Macon, first as the Visitor Center Manager, later as the Director of Tourism, and eventually Vice President of Sales and Service. Their theater room has been renamed the Steven Fulbright Theater. “He was Mr. Macon,” Quackenbush said at the dedication.
Aaron Buzza, a Visit Macon colleague, feels his presence there. “Steven was the friend we all needed, and the friend we all should strive to be. He was always there with a listening ear, a word of encouragement, or to brainstorm a new idea.” Buzza describes Steven much like his motto: “His enthusiasm for life was infectious, and there was never a moment that didn’t call for a song.”
He never shied away from leadership. Steven was, at varying times, the chair of Macon Arts Alliance, the College Hill Commission, Macon Film Festival, and would have been the incoming chair of Historic Macon Foundation. He also served on the board of directors for the Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon Beer Festival, Historic Heartland Travel Region, and the Southeast Tourism Society. He won a Macon Arts Alliance Cultural Award.
Scott Mitchell served alongside him for the film festival. “Steven always challenged me to do more for Downtown Macon,” Mitchell said. “He planted the seed for so many people down here and made the spark that ignited into a wildfire.”
Mitchell added, “I see his fingerprints everywhere. Every time I look around town, I see little pieces of Steven.”
Steven loved Broadway and karaoke, and long, boozy brunches with friends. He treasured the “Fulbush” home in Shirley Hills and their pets. If you have an opportunity to remember him, go downtown and celebrate the vibrancy of our city. Step into one of the many spotlights Steven has helped set as Macon takes its place on the world stage. Pick up the microphone. Put on an anthem – maybe some Barbra Streisand. Sing loud. It’s what he would have done.
