Civil Rights Atlanta, Leader in Fair Housing

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(L-R) Minister Jean King-Battle and honoree Hattie B. Dorsey attend the Women On The Move Honorees Celebration at the Mason Murer Fine Art Museum on February 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Moses Robinson/WireImage)

ATLANTA – Atlanta mourns the passing of Hattie B. Dorsey, civil rights activist and community development leader.

Dorsey is particularly known for her work in Atlanta as the founder and former president of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. She has also been instrumental in developing policies and programs promoting affordable housing and community development sustainable.

Mayor Andre Dickens on Hattie B. Dorsey

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement on Dorsey’s death that read:

“A tireless advocate for fair housing in our community, Ms. Dorsey’s pioneering efforts, including the creation and leadership of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP), have had a profound impact on shaping a more sustainable housing landscape. fair in Atlanta.

“Hattie supported me as a candidate for city council and mayor, and we talked all the time about our favorite topic: affordable housing.

“His vision and dedication helped transform countless lives and neighborhoods, fostering a more inclusive Atlanta.

“His contributions have left an indelible mark on our city and will continue to influence future generations.” Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

The Early Life and Education of Hattie B. Dorsey

Dorsey grew up witnessing the struggles of inadequate housing and economic disparity. This early exposure to social issues sparked his commitment to advocating for disadvantaged communities. She pursued graduate studies in an effort to better understand and systematically combat these issues.

Born into a large family as the oldest of eleven children on May 31, 1939, in Teachey, North Carolina, Dorsey’s journey of leadership and civil rights advocacy began at an early age. The family moved to New York during her teenage years, where she attended Charles Evan Hughes High School, immersing herself in fashion and interior design classes before moving again to Atlanta.

In Atlanta, Dorsey continued his education at David T. Howard High School. Her father, an important figure in the community as pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Operation Bread Basket, played a central role in her upbringing. Dorsey is also the first cousin of gospel music legend Thomas A. Dorsey’s father.

Dorsey’s academic path took her to Spelman College and then Clark Atlanta University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secretarial science in 1964.

Hattie B. Dorsey’s commitment to civil rights

Her career began in secretarial positions, but her journey took a major turn when she joined the National Urban League as an administrative assistant. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dorsey devoted herself to civil rights, working with the NAACP’s legal defense team on important housing discrimination cases.

Her commitment to civil rights and community advocacy took her to San Francisco, where she worked for the Stanford Mid-Peninsula Urban Coalition on Affordable Housing, before returning to Atlanta to lead the ANDP. Under his presidency, Dorsey focused on strengthening metro Atlanta’s neighborhoods and made public housing issues a regional priority. She was instrumental in launching a $16 million fundraising campaign in 1995 to spur housing construction ahead of the Olympics, demonstrating her ability to mobilize resources across the private, public and philanthropic sectors.

Dorsey’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards, including Spelman College’s Local Community Service Award in 2005, a nomination for Woman of the Year by Atlanta Woman magazine, and induction into the Atlanta Business League Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003. Her other honors include recognition by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the “Notable Georgians of 2004” and receiving the Georgia Black Caucus Grace Towns Hamilton Leadership Award.

Hattie B. Dorsey’s Commitment to Affordable Housing

Before founding ANDP in 1991, Dorsey established a reputation as a strong advocate for affordable housing, both in her community and nationally. His career includes decades of experience working with various community organizations, businesses and government entities to foster urban redevelopment and increase access to affordable housing.

At ANDP, Dorsey led the way in developing a collaborative model bringing together the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to support community revitalization efforts in metro Atlanta. Under his leadership, ANDP became a key player in the city’s efforts to combat housing problems, providing a platform to mobilize investment and promote policy reforms.

Dorsey’s lifelong dedication to improving the lives of low- and moderate-income families and revitalizing neighborhoods has earned him wide respect and multiple accolades. Her pioneering work not only made a tangible difference in the communities she served, but also set a standard for effective cross-sector partnerships in urban development.

Additionally, as a recognized leader and mentor, Dorsey has inspired countless people to engage in community service and advocacy. Her work has demonstrated the immense value of persistent, informed activism in achieving systemic change.

While Hattie B. Dorsey may not be a household name, her impact on affordable housing and community redevelopment is undeniable. His visionary approach has left an indelible mark on Atlanta and serves as a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges.