UNCF Mourns Passing of Business Icon and Civic Leader Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

UNCF mourns the loss of a powerful champion of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and friend of UNCF—Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

Dortch served as the co-chair of UNCF’s Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball and is the recipient of the Masked Award. He was the keynote speaker for various UNCF Atlanta events.  An alum of Fort Valley State University and UNCF-member Clark Atlanta University, Dortch was the founder of the National Black College Alum Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.

He served on the Talladega College Board of Trustees and the Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees.

He was the national chairman 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and chairman and chief executive officer of TWD, Inc. In 1990, he became the state director and served as chief administrator for former United States Senator Sam Nunn. Dortch was the first African American to serve in this capacity for any U. S Senator.

As a servant leader dedicated to improving the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities, Dortch’s commitment to Black higher education, civic engagement and economic empowerment is unparalleled.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.,” said UNCF Board Chairman Milton H. Jones, Jr. “I have known and admired Tommy for decades and enjoyed working beside him as he labored to improve the future of Black Americans, in particular, our youth as the National Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and founder of the National Black College Alum Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.

“He was a leading advocate for our nation’s historically Black colleges and universities and a strong supporter of UNCF’s mission. He used his powerful voice to uplift the impact of an HBCU education and to improve the plight and opportunity for African Americans through his significant work and leadership. On behalf of UNCF’s Board of Directors, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Dortch family and are committed to continuing to honor his legacy,” said Jones.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Dortch family and will continue honoring his legacy through UNCF’s mission of building better futures for Black students and this nation.

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About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.