By On Common Ground News
“This is a sad day for our city. We have lost another soldier…” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
ATLANTA—Icon Thomas “Tommy” W. Dortch, Jr., passed away today at home after battling cancer. The entrepreneur, author, and influential community activist was 72.
A local, national and international trailblazer, Mr. Dortch rose to become chairman of the 100 Black Men of America. He was chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TWD, Inc. and chairman of the Board of Directors for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, located in the City of Stonecrest.
It is with heavy hearts that New Birth Missionary Baptist Church acknowledges the passing of Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., dedicated member, leader, and current board Chairman of New Birth.
Chairman Dortch will be remembered as an influential social, cultural, and political leader for the past 50 years, as well as one of the most effective and successful businessmen in the history of Georgia.
Chairman Dortch was an omnipresent figure in literally every segment of Atlanta’s business and political infrastructure, helping to shape and bolster Atlanta’s reputation as capitol of the New South.Statement from Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant:
“Chairman Thomas Dortch is a once-in-a-lifetime gift to New Birth, Atlanta and the world. He is an icon of business and literally the blueprint for how you fuse moral character, vision, and ambition.
He leaves an unparalleled legacy of leadership and mentorship, bringing value to every space he occupied and with every person he encountered.
His impact on New Birth is undeniable and will last forever. We are grateful for and inspired by his leadership, his loyalty, and his immense contributions to our ministry.
We celebrate his life and praise God for all that Chairman Dortch accomplished on behalf of others during his life. Well done, Mr. Chairman,” said Dr. Bryant.
Mr. Dortch made guest appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Fox News Channel the O’Reilly Factor, C-SPAN, Talk Back Atlanta, National Press Club, CNN, Good Day Atlanta, Black Issues in Higher Education National Video Conference, and MBC Town Hall Meeting.
In 1990, Mr. Dortch became the State Director and served as Chief Administrator for United States Senator, Sam Nunn. Mr. Dortch was the first African-American to serve in this capacity for any U. S Senator. Some of Mr. Dortch’s other accomplishments include: Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta Transportation Systems, Inc., Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Parking, Chairman of Lancor Parking Management, LLC, Managing Partner of FAD Consulting, LLC, founding the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., co-founder the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME) to fill a void as an advocacy organization for minority business development, and co-founder the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance as a capacity building and business development organization for the construction and transportation industries.
Mr. Dortch is the recipient of numerous awards and honors that celebrate his efforts. A partial list includes: Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2022 Leaders in Corporate Citizens Ann Cramer Lifetime Achievement Award; listed in the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 May Editions of Ebony Magazine as one of The 100 Most Influential African Americans; listed in Spring 2001 through 2014 Publications of Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of The 100 Most Influential Atlantans; 2008 Community Service Professional of the Year Award; 2008 FraserNet Community Service Award; 2008 Global Leadership Empowerment Award; Chairman of the Board, Friendship Force International; Chairman of the Board, Fulton/DeKalb County Hospital Authority; 2010 was inducted into Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame; Three Term Chairman of The Board, The Atlanta Business League. Member of Operation Hope Board of Trustees, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Trustees, Talladega College Board of Trustees, Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees; Chairman of The Board, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Member of The Board of The Court of Master Sommelieirs-Americas.
Mr. Dortch was a much sought-after speaker on an international, national level to governmental entities, corporations and educational institutions including the Darden School of Business – University of Virginia, Southern University, Delaware State University, Jarvis Christian College, Florida A&M University, South Carolina State University, Georgia State University, Thomas University, Georgia Tech, Paine College, Tuskegee University, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Emerging Leaders Forum, White House Initiatives on Black Colleges, Federal Executive Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Lockheed Georgia Corporation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, United Negro College Fund, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), Congressional Black Caucus, “The” Fort Valley State University, United States Department of Energy, American Cancer Society, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Blacks In Government, and Anheuser-Busch Company to name a few.
Mr. Dortch earned a B.A. Degree in Sociology and Pre- Professional Social Work from “The” Fort Valley State University in 1972, and a Masters of Art Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Clark-Atlanta University in 1986. He also attended Georgia State University as a Ford Fellow in the Urban Administration Program. Dortch received Honorary Doctors Degrees from Fayetteville State University, Jarvis Christian College, Fort Valley State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Livingstone College.
Mr. Dortch was elected to a seventh term as National Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
November 10, 2020 was inducted into Atlanta Business League’s Business Hall of Fame
2019 recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicles as one of the 50 Most Admired CEOs
Chairman of the Board, National Business League
Chairman of the Board, National Coalition of Black Civic Participation
Recognized by Atlanta Magazine as one of the 500 Most Influential Leaders
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued the following statement regarding Mr. Dortch’s passing:
“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. He was also a tireless advocate for our young people. When we decided that 2023 would be Atlanta’s Year of the Youth, I knew that I could count on him sharing his support and wisdom. Tommy once said that he wanted his legacy to be that he put our young people first. Without question, mission accomplished.”
The Atlanta City Council issued the following statement:
“It was clear Thomas Dortch Jr. loved his community, which is why he worked so hard for it. He was a trailblazer, a community advocate, and a renowned speaker with a sharp intellect and a public servant’s heart. As we reflect on his life, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. The city of Atlanta will miss his inspiring example, but his life and his service to the community will always be celebrated and remembered.”
Atlanta City Council Member Byron Amos issues statement:
“I grieve today for the loss of an Atlanta icon, Mr. Thomas W. Dortch Jr., affectionately known as ‘Tommy.’ The owner of many successful businesses, including TWD Inc., Tommy lived a life of service that transversed continents. As the former national chairman of the 100 Black Men of America Inc., Tommy ushered in a standard of service that resonated throughout the organization. For more than 60 years, Tommy worked to improve the city’s economic, educational, and youth initiatives with the goal of advancing equity for African Americans. Today, we honor his life and legacy and salute him for his years of service and dedication to the city of Atlanta. Each day, his tireless work sought to build Atlanta into the beloved community that Dr. King often discussed and for that, we are thankful. He will be sorely missed.”
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