On Saturday, October 26th, 2024, the Economic Justice Coalition hosted its Annual Justice Fest to raise awareness and highlight the successes of our community efforts. The Economic Justice Coalition works to raise low wages, obtain health benefits, and create living-wage jobs while teaching residents to be civically engaged. The theme for this event is “We have the power … Use it, VOTE!”
Keynote Speaker: Lamar Handy
Mr. Lamar Handy is a native of Athens, Georgia and currently resides in Lithonia, GA. He is the founder of The DL Handy Foundation, Inc. His foundation focuses on providing the community with vital resources through volunteerism, fundraising and community and youth empowerment. His foundation has three pillars: empowerment, scholarship, and philanthropy. In 2023, The DL Handy Foundation focus shifted to Mental Health Awareness. In December of 2023, the foundation hosted their 3rd Annual Charity Event raising $8,000 for “Friends of Advantage” of Athens, GA a non-profit that provides services for those in need suffering with mental disorders and may not have financial stability to afford services. Most recently, his foundation was recognized for their efforts in Mental Health Awareness on WSB-TV Channel, a story covered by reporter Larry Spruill. In 2022, the foundation hosted its 2nd Annual Charity Event and raised over $10,000 for childhood cancer research.
Mr. Handy is a dedicated, passionate part-time employee at Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home of Athens, GA. He works full- time as an employee at Emory University as a Senior Financial Analyst in Atlanta, Georgia and teaches part-time at Atlanta Technical College.
Mr. Handy is a 2019 graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Master of Business Administration and a 2011 graduate of Paine College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. In 2012, he graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service with an associate degree in Funeral Service.
Mr. Handy is a member of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc as well as a member of the 7th District of Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association (GFSPA) where he serves as the Corresponding Secretary. Most recently he was recognized as one of the Top 10 Under 40 Gamechangers from the Athens Chamber of Commerce, 2024 Alumnus of the Year from Paine College and a 2023 Inductee to Paine College 40under40. Mr. Handy is also a 2024 honoree of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Love From Afar organization out of Atlanta, GA.
He lives by the motto “No dream is too big to achieve.” One of his favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” He is inspired by the quote “One’s secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”
Dr. Ray MacNair Lifetime Achievement Award: Attorney John Clarke
Attorney John M. Clark is a military veteran, accomplished attorney and a proud family man. Attorney Clark achieved the rank of specialist 5 in the United States Army before he was honorably discharged in 1971. After serving his country, he completed his education. John graduated with academic honors from Savannah State University (1975) and Southern University Law Center (1978).
After successfully passing the Georgia Bar, Attorney Clark became the first African American attorney to practice law in Elberton, Georgia as a member of the Northern Circuit District Attorney’s Office. John eventually opened his own general practice law firm with focus on civil rights. Attorney Clark teamed with several other lawyers to successfully force the city of Elberton to move to a ward voting system. That ruling led to more African-American voices in Elberton city government.
Attorney Clark is a founding member of the Legal Defense Coalition for the Preservation of Public HBCUs (LDC). As chairman, he steered the organization in the filing of the Title VI Complaint with the US Department of Education against the State of Georgia and the State Board of Regents for discriminatory practices against Albany, Fort Valley and Savannah State Universities. This suit was filed in July 2014.
From 1992 – 1998, Mr. Clark served as president of the Georgia Alliance of African American Attorneys and as General Counsel for the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP. He is a life member of Savannah State University and the NAACP. From 1988 – 2010, he served on the Executive Committee for the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP. In December 2020,
Attorney Clark stepped down after 22 years as the president of the Elbert County Branch. Mr. Clark is a lifelong member of Oconee Baptist Church (Oglethorpe County) and chairman of the Deacons’ Ministry. His greatest passion is serving God by serving others through consistent ministering, mentoring and service. One of his personal commandments and goals is to teach all that he knows to the next generation to ensure a brighter future for mankind. With his stellar and groundbreaking reputation in hand, Attorney John Clark joined forces with his daughter – Attorney Nefertara Clark Miller – to form Clark & Clark Law Group, LLC. He serves as the Founding Partner and lead attorney in the Elberton Office. There, he practices Personal Injury, Criminal, Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Law and handles Estate Planning and Probate Matters.
