The City of East Point Cultural

Enrichment Commission Presents

Literary Café

Saturday, February 27, 3-5 pm

Barnes and Noble at Camp Creek

3685 Marketplace Boulevard

East Point, GA 30344

Featuring a special book signing by noted author:

THE HONORABLE
MARVIN S. ARRINGTON, SR.

THIS EVENT IS

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!

ABOUT Making My Mark: The Story of a Man Who Wouldn’t Stay in His Place

Lawyer, judge, public servant, trailblazer: these are only a few words to describe the remarkable accomplishments of the Honorable Marvin S. Arrington, Sr., of Atlanta, Georgia. This autobiography is a testament to what happens when childhood lessons, hard work, and perseverance meet determination and optimism. It’s the story of a dedicated man, born in to the segregated South who went on to break down racial barriers and build walls of inclusion and harmony. Judge Arrington was the first African American to become partner at an all-white Atlanta law firm and then, later, established one of the largest and most successful minority law firms in the country.

In 1969, through his own courage, vision, and determination, Arrington became the youngest person ever elected to the Atlanta Board of Aldermen, which later became the Atlanta City Council. During Judge Arrington’s nearly thirty-year tenure on the Atlanta City Council, he served as city council president numerous times and remained fiercely devoted to being a voice for the voiceless: the elderly, the disadvantaged, the homeless, and others. He changed the landscape of Atlanta.

Today, Marvin Arrington is a distinguished judge on the Fulton County Superior Court who continues now to address the great challenges of the 21st century.. In his seventh decade, Arrington continues to mentor, educate, and inspire future generations. Judge Arrington credits his life to God’s grace and mercy, and to his loving parents and supportive family and friends.

MARVIN S. ARRINGTON, SR., attended Clark College, Howard University School of Law, Emory University Law School, where he was awarded his JD in 1967. From there, he went on to become a founding partner of Arrington & Hollowell.

Praise For Making My Mark

This book is a fascinating and rewarding look into an important period of Atlanta’s history as well as into the mind of Marvin Arrington. In this book, Marvin has conveyed the essence of his being complex yet simple, confident yet often insecure, calm yet sometimes angry. It is a story of how a loving mother, good role models, passion, and hard work enabled a young black man from humble roots to grow into a respected lawyer and community leader with many friends—poor and rich, black and white, uppercrust and everyday. The autobiography of Marvin Arrington is an interesting read.

—President Jimmy Carter

In reading Making My Mark, I couldn’t help but reflect on the parallels of the paths traveled by Marvin and me. And while my road lead me to continue the struggle that was started by Jackie Robinson, and Marvin’s road lead him to be a warrior in the political and civil rights struggles of Atlanta, neither of us would have been successful if we had not developed the courage to make our marks. Without that courage, both of us could easily have been the victims of a caste system among our own people. Without the courage and determination to make our marks it’s doubtful either of us would have risen above humble backgrounds in segregated Southern cities. Making My Mark is a story about courage and character. It’s a story about a fight for dignity and integrity. It’s a story about a common-sense approach to good government. Making My Mark is a story about a real winner.

—Henry “Hank” Aaron

Making My Mark is the personal memoir of Marvin Arrington’s rise from humble beginnings to political prominence. He is a man who made his mark.

—Tom Wolfe, author

Reading Making My Mark I was not surprised that Marvin was one of the first two African-Americans to graduate from the prestigious Emory Law School. As a student of the 60s, Marvin was part of the generation that blazed America’s conscience on civil rights through the taunts of black power and the courage of sit-ins. Marvin literally stared the Klan in the face. Although he never forgot the insults they hurled at him, Marvin developed the capacity to love his enemies as he matured. He learned to make his mark. I strongly suspect that the boys around Ashby and Simpson Streets in northwest Atlanta taught Marvin a few things that also gave him the courage and determination to make his mark.

—Andrew Young, former US ambassador

Marvin Arrington has written a story that epitomizes the American dream. Making My Mark is about overcoming adversity in a South that was a different place than it is now. Marvin overcame every obstacle in order to become one of the premier lawyers of our time and a leader in the field of civil rights. The South is different today because of a handful of people like Marvin Arrington. I am pleased that Marvin has taken the time and effort to share with all of us his struggle. I am honored to call him my friend.

—Roy E. Barnes, former governor of Georgia

Making My Mark tells the story of a remarkable Emory alumnus,one of the first two African Americans to enroll in Emory Law School, the first black administrator at Emory, a long-serving trustee and advisor to Emory presidents, parent and uncle of Emory law a alumni, and public servant extraordinaire. Marvin Arrington’s inspiring story is a fascinating account, one that is rich with adventure and accomplishment.

—James W. Wagner, president, Emory University

For more information on this free event contact: Kim Green – 404.270.7041 or kgreen@easpointcity.org

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