Governor Kemp Proclaims April as Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Month

On Tuesday, April 9, GCEO hosted its Annual Proclamation & Awards Ceremony at the Capitol.  Governor Brian P. Kemp proclaimed April as Fair Housing & Equal Employment month for the State of Georgia. In addition, each year, GCEO and the Governor presents the Freedom Award to a Georgia leader who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to confront and eliminate discrimination in the equal employment and fair housing sectors. During the ceremony, Governor Kemp and Shawn Thomas presented two awards to leaders who have valiantly served in the areas of equal employment and fair housing. 

The 2019 GCEO Freedom Award for Equal Employment was awarded to Joyce Dawkins. Ms. Dawkins currently serves as the State and Local Coordinator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Dawkins has worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since for 26 years.  In her current position as the State and Local Coordinator, she is responsible for the yearly administration of GCEO’s contract with the EEOC, the review of employment discrimination investigations conducted by the GCEO and the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC) and, engages in joint outreach activities with the GCEO to educate the public on employment discrimination laws. 

The 2019 GCEO Freedom Award for Fair Housing was awarded to Joyce Catrett. Ms. Catrett is an experienced attorney, researcher, and trained mediator working for over 30 years in the enforcement of environmental, disability rights, and fair housing laws. She currently serves as the Director of Enforcement for Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. In the last four years, Ms. Catrett has filed over 40 administrative complaints with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and has facilitated agreements to resolve a greater number of housing issues without litigation.   She is licensed in both Georgia and her home State of Alabama.  Her first decade in law was served as Associate Regional Counsel with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV.