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Feb 15, 2023
NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION MOURNS THE PASSING OF BOARD CHAIRMAN THOMAS W. DORTCH, JR.
NCBCP recognizes the exceptional life of Mr. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., Father, Husband, Son, Leader, Mentor, Businessman, Philanthropist, Advocate, Beloved Member of the Community and National Treasure. Tommy Lived a Unique and Extraordinary Life Whose Contributions Across America Impacted Countless People, Focused on Lifting Black Americans and Other Marginalized People, Communities, HBCUs and Other Institutions that Continue to Struggle for Economic Mobility, Access to Greater Opportunities, Equity and Equality for All People
Washington, D.C., (February 15, 2023) – Today the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) mourns the passing of our beloved and esteemed chairman of the board, Thomas “Tommy” W. Dortch, Jr. The NCBCP expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the community he served. Mr. Dortch, who was recently nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal by the Georgia Congressional Delegation—in recognition of his significant contributions across America in lifting Black Americans and other marginalized people, communities, and institutions that continue to struggle for economic mobility, access to greater opportunities, equity, and equality for all people.
Tommy devoted his life to mentoring Black boys and girls, supporting Historically Black Colleges & Universities, advocating for Black political empowerment, building institutions in support of the movement to increase economic mobility and access to greater opportunities for all, and so much more.
Melanie L. Campbell, President, and CEO of NCBCP and Convener of The Black Women’s Roundtable, said, "I was blessed to not only serve alongside Tommy for over 25 years with the NCBCP Board of Directors, he was also my mentor, my brother and my friend for most of my adult life. Tommy recruited me as a student on the campus of Clark College in the early 1980’s as a volunteer to organize voter registration drives and to get involved in civil rights with the NAACP Atlanta Chapter. He supported me throughout my career and I thank God for the blessing of having met and known Tommy for over 40+ years. I will ‘never forget to remember’ Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. and will do all I can to keep his legacy alive by continuing to do the work to lift up our people.”
Mr. Dortch was a hero to so many and he played a significant and impactful role as Chairman of the NCBCP Board and member of the board, where he made substantial contributions to the organization's mission to increase Black civic engagement, voter participation; and empower Black advance black wealth and entrepreneurship. Tommy was unwavering in his commitment to HBCUs, quality secondary education, social justice, and the advancement of the culture overall.
In partnership with Clark Atlanta University, the NCBCP is so thankful that Mr. Dortch was a part of establishing the NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Institute for Leadership, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment & Social Justice Institute and Southern Regional Office that launched in April 2022. The NCBCP TWD Jr. Institute is dedicated to amplifying and expanding leadership development, civics education and engagement, voting rights, racial, economic, and gender justice, economic empowerment/entrepreneurship, wealth building, and power-building work in the South and nationally.
The NCBCP extends its deepest condolences to the Dortch Family and expresses gratitude in their efforts to shed light on his legacy. We will continue working alongside them to uplift his accomplishments and to memorialize his contributions to the community and young Black men and women. The NCBCP is honored to have had Tommy as board chairman and expresses its commitment to continuing and further enhancing his rich legacy.
The NCBCP will forever honor and celebrate Mr. Dortch's legacy and his impact on the Black community, nation African Diaspora and his larger than life presence and vision to make the world a better place for everyone on the planet.
