FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2023
MARTA RECOGNIZES BARRIER-BREAKING EMPLOYEES DURING BLACK
HISTORY MONTH
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority (MARTA) recognizes employees who broke racial barriers as
part of Black History Month, including the Authority’s first Black bus
operators, Black bus supervisor, and Black executive. The employees are
featured at rail stations and bus stops throughout the
MARTA system and on MARTA’s social media
channels.
Among the Black transit pioneers recognized
for their roles and work at MARTA:
- Charles Frank Reeves, MARTA’s
first Black bus supervisor who was among the first employees hired at
Atlanta Transit, which would become MARTA in 1971.
- Gail Winfrey Blackmon, a
receptionist and secretary, who was also one of the original 13 employees.
- Morris Dillard, an original
employee and director of community relations who would go on to become one
of MARTA’s first Black executives. Mr. Dillard was also instrumental in
the passing of the first MARTA referendum in 1971.
- Coy Dumas, Jr., a bus operator
who recently celebrated 50 years at MARTA.
- MARTA’s first Black bus
operators who provided an essential service despite the racism they
encountered daily.
“MARTA would not exist if not for the work,
sacrifice and dedication of these Black transit pioneers,” said MARTA General
Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “Because of the barriers they broke, MARTA is
now a proud majority-minority employer, with Black employees making up most of
our workforce from the frontline to the board room. Black history is American
history and it is most certainly public transit history.”
The recognition of Black employees will run
through Black History Month and become an ongoing series next February.
Click here to view Black History Month 2023 featured employees
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