Thomas Dortch

Thomas W. Dortch Jr. (April 12, 1950 – February 15, 2023) was an American businessman and civil rights leader.

Career

Active in the Georgia Democratic Party, Dortch become its first associate director in 1974. He was the first black man to become chief administrator for a U.S. Senator when he took on this job for Sam Nunn.[1]

Dortch was chairman of 100 Black Men of America[2] and chaired their board of directors.[3] Their headquarters is named in his honor.[1] He was also a former chairman of the National Coalition on Black Civil Participation (NCBCP).[4]

Dortch was the founder of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.[1] He co-founded the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) and the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance.[5]

Dortch was the chairman and CEO of TWD, Inc.[4] He also served as CEO of the Atlanta Transportation Systems, Inc., chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Parking, chairman of Lancor Parking Management, LLC, and managing partner of FAD Consulting, LLC.

Dortch was a Florida A&M University Trustee.[6]

Death

Dortch died of pancreatic cancer on February 15, 2023, at the age of 72.[7]

Recognition and honors

Dortch received the Presidential Citation for volunteerism by President George Bush and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award.[7]

In 2022, the City of Atlanta designated a Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Day to take place on November 7 each year.[7][8]

References
  1. Kelley, Collin. "Businessman, civic leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. dies at 72". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  2. Kelley, Collin. "Businessman, civic leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. dies at 72". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  3. "Beloved Atlanta community leader Thomas Dortch dead at 72". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  4. Moore, Jessica (February 15, 2023). "Thomas 'Tommy' Dortch Jr. passes away, leaders across Georgia react". 11Alive.com. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  5. "Atlanta civic leader, chairman emeritus of 100 Black Men Thomas W. Dortch dies at 72". FOX 5 Atlanta. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  6. "'A tremendous loss': Florida A&M University Trustee Thomas 'Tommy' Dortch Jr. dies". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  7. bigced328 (2023-02-16). "Atlanta Mourns Death of Businessman and Community Advocate Thomas Dortch Jr". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  8. Phillips, Jamarlo. "Atlanta mourns death of community leader Thomas Dortch Jr". atlantanewsfirst.com. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
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