BlackSpeakers.com

Dr. Joyce J. Dorsey

Is this you? Claim your profile now...

Some things in life are simply undeniable. Consider these correlations: Andrea Jung - Avon products; Michelle Obama - balance of family and business; Nancy Pelosi - American politics and Oprah Winfrey - daytime television. It is undeniable that these women are champions in their respective areas; their records speak for themselves. In like manner, Dr. Joyce J. Dorsey is a champion in the arena of service to others, and for more than 30 years, she has created a successful track record that clearly exemplifies a life of dedication and sincere concern for the less fortunate.

Today, Dr. Dorsey sits at the helm of Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA), a nonprofit organization that annually serves 30,000 individuals and families of Atlanta and Fulton County by helping them become self-sufficient. FACAA's mission is accomplished by offering comprehensive programs and services that enable program participants to emerge from economic despair, prevent homelessness, and enhance educational goals for an improved quality of life. Dr. Dorsey took the organization (formerly EOA [Economic Opportunities of Atlanta]) by the reins in 1991 and reconstituted it into a viable, financially sound organization with 18 consecutively sound audits, a brilliant example of her efficient use of public funds as well as her ability as a leader to create a team to effectively implement the strategic plan of the organization. (The auditing reflects every year of Dr. Dorsey's tenure with the organization.)

The 9th of 11 children born to a pastor-father and an equally religious mother (the late Rev. E. H. and Gladys Dorsey), it is clear that Dr. Dorsey was destined to a life of service since the tender age of 12, during which time she began working as a youth Sunday School teacher, later progressing to youth department director. A native of Brooklyn but raised in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Dorsey chose to achieve her early educational goals in the city where she would inevitably launch and nurture her career. She earned a Bachelor's degree in sociology from Spelman College (1970) and a Master's degree in social work from Atlanta University (1986). She recently earned her Doctorate in Biblical Studies from North Carolina's College of Theology (Atlanta's Greater Deliverance satellite campus 2008) in honor and respect to her parents.

Dr. Dorsey's career reflects significant strides in the areas of corrections, entrepreneurship and the nonprofit sector. In addition to keeping FACAA fiscally sound, Dr. Dorsey can also be attributed with playing a key role in establishing the agency's housing development component, wherein they have developed two subdivisions and the Cascade Oaks apartments. Dr. Dorsey states, This is the pinnacle of people helping people. Also the agency's Youthbuild program is the national model that helps youth who are heading in the wrong direction get their GED and training. An estimated 150 people have come through the program, with more than half graduating.

A highly sought-after speaker on the issues of poverty, Dr. Dorsey consistently offers fresh insight on the plight of the poor. She states, With the economy the way it is, there is a new face of poverty in America today, and many of the people that I come into contact with don t have a clue about what to do. And because of the lack of education, job experience, people skills, coping skills and hope, they feel doomed. The public does not accept them and they know it. They can't sell themselves and they know it. They don t like society and society doesn t like them back. Nonetheless, Dr. Dorsey continues to make a difference. Not only does she serve FACAA, but she is also a member of numerous boards of directors of organizations to include the Georgia Community Action Authority, National Community Action Authority and New York's Where There's a Need. She's an advisory board member for Georgia Alliance for Children. She is a member of the DeKalb NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Atlanta Business League and the PTA.

When not busy with the community, Dr. Dorsey enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren as well as bicycling.