Atlanta is in mourning after the passing of an esteemed civic leader who recently passed away.
According to Atlanta Daily Word, community advocate, Thomas Dortch Jr. has passed away at the age of 72. He was the chairman of 100 Black Men of America. The beloved businessman entered the world of politics when he worked for United States Senator Sam Nunn as an administrative aide in 1974.
His legacy was celebrated late last year when the city of Atlanta proclaimed Nov. 7 as Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Day.
Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement regarding the death of Dortch.
“This is a sad day for our city. We have lost another soldier. Tommy Dortch wasn’t born in Atlanta. He came here to attend school, and never left. And Atlanta is the better for it. Whether during his days in government or during his tenure leading 100 Black Men of Atlanta and later 100 Black Men of America, Tommy never lost sight of his mission. Long before we called it diversity, equity and inclusion, Tommy was hard at work in that space. In matters of equity, not too much happened here that Tommy wasn’t involved in. Tommy was a connector and a facilitator. He knew how to get the right people together to make something good happen for Atlanta.”
His many accomplishments included the Presidential Citation for volunteerism by President George Bush; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award; Concerned Black Clergy’s Salute to Black Fathers Leadership Award; Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, Humanitarian Award; Fort Valley State College Alumni Hall of Fame, inductee.
Leaders from Atlanta and across Georgia have acknowledged the greatness of Dortch.
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock relayed a statement via his Twitter account.
“Deeply saddened to hear my friend Thomas “Tommy” Dortch, Jr. of @100BlackMen has passed away. He was a trailblazer whose decades of leadership in the community moved Georgia forward and paved the way for so many who have come behind him. Praying for his family & many friends.”
Deeply saddened to hear my friend Thomas “Tommy” Dortch, Jr. of @100BlackMen has passed away.
⁰He was a trailblazer whose decades of leadership in the community moved Georgia forward and paved the way for so many who have come behind him.
⁰Praying for his family & many friends.— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) February 15, 2023