It was almost a given that Gray, a standout three-sport athlete at Opelika High School, would play for Auburn. But he was recruited by other schools, including North Carolina State University in Raleigh. His mother and the Auburn coaches were disappointed that he chose to leave, but he says it was “a gut feeling.” “When I think about me being a very shy child, not really wanting to speak, an introvert, I think (going to N.C. State) really blossomed my personality,” he says. After graduation, he played Arena football and Canadian football for a few years. But football, he says, is “a short part of your life.”
A life of health and wellness
in Alabama is just a relationship builder,” he says. Another point in his favor: He really is a hometown kid. “(Republican State Sen.) Randy Price’s son and I were on the same football team, right? So I have a relationship outside of politics where people … know me in a different light.” Part of that different light for Gray is his commitment to good health. He’s a vegan (he doesn’t eat meat or dairy), and he and a couple of other legislators work out every morning during the session. And he’s an avid practitioner of yoga. Even if you don’t follow politics, you probably heard about “the yoga bill.” That was Gray’s doing.
He returned to Opelika and started Elevate Your Grind, a Getting bills passed For three years, Gray introduced a bill to end Alabama’s ban for-profit sports training business. But it’s more than training. on yoga in schools; his bill finally passed in 2021. The bill allows “It’s kind of like a lifestyle. It’s a community. It’s health. It’s wellschools to offer yoga as an elective class or activity, and is limited ness. It’s sports. It’s being a better you.” to poses, exercises and stretching techniques. When he decided to create a non-profit, it made sense to marry Gray told al.com at the time that yoga can help children with his message of health with community advocacy. His non-profit their mental health, clarity, stress relief and concentration. The Curtis House is built on land once owned by Gray’s great-grandlaw does not allow chanting or mantras or religious instruction. father, Lottie B. Curtis, in Opelika. Curtis was a World War II vetWhile that may have been Gray’s introduction to much of the eran, church deacon and sharecropper, but above all was a comstate (and the nation), he is munity servant, Gray says. also proud of the work he’s This current structure is done as a member of the Ala “resource hub,” Gray exabama Innovation Commisplains. Free legal services sion. are provided twice a month. That statewide group was It hosts a mentoring and created by Gov. Kay Ivey tutoring program for K-12 in 2020 to focus on entrestudents. Once a month is preneurship, innovation wellness weekend, with a 1.5and technology. The group mile walk/run and healthy brought together private secfood distribution. Festivals tor experts and state policycelebrate the holidays while makers to develop policies feeding the needy. to support job creation and “It’s the Curtis House, but workforce development. it’s really the community’s Two bills came out of the house, right? Anyone can commission, both of which come here who needs help. Ivey signed. Gray sponsored Kids come over here all the HB609, which creates the time to hang out. We just want this to be a safe haven Gray, second from left, stands behind Gov. Kay Ivey at the signing for two bills Innovate Alabama Matching Grant program to promote in the community.” put forward by the Alabama Innovation Commission. PHOTO BY HAL YEAGER/GOVERNOR’S OFFICE research and development. It was the process of get(The other bill, HB540, esting the Curtis House off the tablishes the Alabama Innovation Corporation, which would ground that sparked his future in politics. Even though he knew a primarily be charged with making Alabama a hub for technology lot of people, he was constantly seeking help. He felt that the area and innovation and supporting activities and initiatives that enneeded someone to run for public office to be a real liaison to the hance this growth.) community. “We also have to have an education portion, where we’re actu“So I wasn’t looking for politics. It was more like a calling, ally helping kids excel in science and math,” Gray says. And that right? It was just a need, and I just wanted to be that person to includes recruiting more science and math teachers, especially in actually show people that you could do anything.” rural areas. After Bandy died, he thought, “maybe that’s a sign that I’m doPerhaps because of his youth – Gray is 36 – he felt very attuned ing what I’m supposed to do.” to the goals of the commission, especially in terms of how the At the State House state can attract and retain young, forward-thinking people. He Gray has cultivated a rapport with members on both sides of sees the need to cultivate young people who want to build ideas the aisle. Part of it is his affable nature, but he knows the political in the technology and business spaces. reality: His district is Democratic, but he’s surrounded by Repub“We need those professionals to really guide us and direct us licans. Being in the minority party means that forging relationon what will really help Alabama move forward in technology.” ships with the other side is critical to getting any business done. His sports background has been a huge help. “Sometimes sports For more of this story, visit alabamaliving.coop. Alabama Living
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