100 Black Men former president to speak at commencement

Entrepreneur, community activist, and author Tommy W. Dortch Jr. will be featured speaker for Southern University's Fall 2009 commencement ceremony, set for 10:30 a.m., December 11, in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center.

Dortch is former president of the nationally honored 100 Black Men, Incorporated. The organization grew, under his guidance, from 43 to 102 chapters in the United States, England, and the West Indies.

As an active community leader, Dortch has also developed fund-raising projects designed to empower single parents and communities to meet the needs of their children.

He is also the author of "The Miracles of Mentoring, the Joy of Investing in Our Future," a how-to guide for adults seeking to mentor youth.

Dortch co-founded the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame and the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs. He also serves on the boards of the Sickle Cell Foundation and the National Assault on Illiteracy.

Dortch is a graduate of Fort Valley State University with a bachelor's degree in sociology and pre professional social work. He received his master's degree from Clark Atlanta University in criminal justice.

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