Brother Gordon Joyner has his eyes set on a return to Georgia politics with his recent campaign announcement to fill the District 6 seat held by Commissioner Emma Darnell, who passed away in early May, 2019. And his Big Brother C. Alexander West is determined to do all he can to push Joyner over the top and back onto the Fulton County Commission on September 17, 2019.

Brother West recognizes that a heavy war chest is crucial in making a successful run for office in Fulton County -- so much so that he stepped into the campaign donor circle strong -- leading the way with a $500 check. And now, he's calling on the entire APCAA to join him in creating a winning financial strategy, and ultimately, a big win for Brother Joyner next month!

So Brothers, please consider supporting the Joyner campaign by visiting www.gordonjoyner.com and making your donation today! If you would prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to Committee To Elect Commissioner Gordon L. Joyner and mail it to: P.O. Box 92816, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-0816. And THANK YOU!

About Candidate Gordon Lane Joyner:

Joyner began his political career on the Fulton County Commission, where he previously held the District 5 seat for more than a decade. Incidentally, Joyner replaced another Alpha Rho Brother, A. Reginald Eaves (Fall 1954) with his election to the commission in 1987.

Above: Candidate Gordon Joyner with supporter Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta's 5th District.

Endorsement from the Atlanta Inquirer Newspaper:

"Gordon L. Joyner For Fulton County Commission … Again"

By John B. Smith, Jr.

The Atlanta Inquirer

In May, Attorney Gordon L. Joyner formally announced his candidacy for election to District 6 seat of the Fulton County Commissioners. This position was vacated by Emma I. Darnell, who died on May 5 while in her eighth term, originally set to expire December 31, 2020.

The election Day to fill this vacancy will be Tuesday, September 17, and, if necessary, the runoff will be Tuesday, October 15.

District 6 covers a vast area including parts of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Hapeville, South Fulton, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, and Chattahoochee Hills.

Longtime attorney, politician, and activist Gordon L. Joyner had replaced the late A. Reginald Eaves (Alpha Rho Fall 1954) as Fulton County Commissioner in the 1980s and is quite familiar with the commissioner duties. He served on the Commission from 1987 through 2000 and authored and secured the first local government civil rights law in the history of Georgia – Fulton County’s Fair Housing Ordinance.

Above: On July 8, the South Metro Democratic Women’s Council held the first candidate forum for those vying to become the next Fulton County Commissioner in District 6.

Originally from Fort Valley (Peach County), Georgia, Joyner was raised and grew up on a farm. When he was 16 years old, he had initiated the local civil rights movement and led the integration of the public school system as a junior in his school along with a small group of other Black high school students.

Graduating as valedictorian of his high school, he was offered a scholarship to attend Yale, but chose to attend Morehouse College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business Administration/Economics. He also holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Harvard Law School, Corporate, Civil Litigation, Constitutional Law, and Civil Rights. He also matriculated at Nigeria’s University of Ibadan and Germany’s University of Bonn.

While at Morehouse, Joyner pledged Alpha Phi Alpha and was a member of the marching band and baseball team, and worked part-time at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center as an assistant to Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

Joyner was appointed under the administrations of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan as the Director of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) National Office of Fair Housing Enforcement, combatting housing discrimination.

Above: Candidate and Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Gordon Joyner, speaks with Atlanta's CBS46 about his platform and plans for revitalization of the historic SW side corridor.

He had served as Executive Director and Administrator of the State of Georgia’s Civil Rights Department (under appointment by three successive Georgia Governors), overseeing the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity for over ten years.

Joyner also served as a judge of the Atlanta Municipal Court under then Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young.

Joyner is not a stranger to community service. He is a recent recipient of the Justice Robert Benham Community Service Award as an honoree at its 20th annual recognition celebration.

As the Chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive task force, he has fought for sidewalks to protect those people who walk and those that stand waiting for MARTA rides. He has fought for improved medians and drainage improvements that affect the safety of our citizens.

The Atlanta Inquirer strongly endorses Attorney Gordon L. Joyner for the position.