Celebrating You!

Johnnie L. Clark CPA, MBA, Ph.D.A Champion for Diversity & Inclusion

January 8, 2015

Event Sponsor guide

Legacies. Leaders. Luminaries.

AWSCPA of Georgia Honors

Please join the AWSCPA in honoring Dr. Johnnie L. Clark for her years of accomplishment and leadership!Johnnie L. Clark, CPA, MBA, Ph.D. is one of Atlanta’s great women: a leader in accounting, business and education. She is a founding member of the AWSCPA of Georgia and a lifelong champion for diversity and inclusion. We invite you to share in a special celebration of Dr. Clark’s life, work and accomplishments.

This elegant event will be held at the National Center for Civil & Human Rights on January 8, 2015. The evening will feature a reception, dinner and program honoring Dr. Clark and will include the awarding of scholarships and recognitions to rising stars in accounting.

At the age of 83, Dr. Clark has seen immense changes in her lifetime. She endured rigid segregation and prejudice. “That was life as I lived it.” Through her struggle she became a fierce advocate for fairness and opportunity, striving to ensure equal rights and inclusion for all. She is a true leader and shining example.

Married for 60 years, Charles and Johnnie’s relationship developed while taking Business Law at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) where he earned his MBA. “We were on the same page regarding what we wanted to accomplish for ourselves and our family and we did what it took.” Through persistence, determination and sheer hard work, she later earned the distinction of being the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Georgia. Dr. Clark was required to wait until 1964 to receive her CPA Certificate even though she had met all the experience requirements prior to passing the CPA exam in 1962. While the tradition was to award the Certificates at a celebration luncheon, she received hers in private. She then began her CPA practice – one that continues to this day.

• Professor positions at Morris Brown College, Atlanta University and Kennesaw State University

• Dean of the Graduate School of Business Administration at Atlanta University

• Citizens Trust Bank President and Board Member

• Entrepreneur

• Real estate developer

• Southwest Hospital and Medical Center Board Chair and Member

• Marta Board Appointee

• City of Atlanta Audit Committee Member

• Carrie Steel-Pitts Home Advocate and Supporter

With her vast accomplishments, when asked what she enjoyed the most Dr. Clark replies that it was “the students and helping them succeed.” In fact, her example and her words have inspired countless legions of students to achieve more than they ever knew they were capable of.

Diverse & inclusive of race, culture, age, career paths, seasons of life, career & lifestyle.

“You can come with gaps in your education, but it’s up to you to fill them in with the opportunities available to you.” - Dr. Clark to her students

Please Help

Why This? Dr. Johnnie L. Clark is a role model – a Trailblazer, Legacy, Leader, Luminary, and Friend. Dr. Clark’s story is one of a Trailblazer – strategic & persistent. She was a first in many pursuits, climbing over one obstacle just in time to begin the hurdle over the next. Dr. Clark’s Legacy is a strong one. Creating opportunities for her students was a priority for Dr. Clark; she helped some gain the experience they needed to become a licensed CPA when that experience seemed unavailable. Her influence was often described as life-changing. Dr. Clark served as a Leader and a Luminary in every endeavor she undertook. She assessed a situation and did whatever it took to master it. To know Dr. Clark is to be inspired by her determined spirit. Her story is also one of a friend. She is a loyal, committed supporter, and for the AWSCPA of Georgia that support has been unwavering for over 30 years! From our beginning in 1982, she’s been there, with us and for us.

Why Now? The AWSCPA of Georgia is committed to our rising stars in accounting. As we honor Dr. Clark, we pass her story down to future generations. To emulate Dr. Clark’s passion for her students – in addition to sharing the awe inspiring story of one of our greatest role models – we are developing more student-focused opportunities and experiences - designed to go beyond the

classroom and into the field of accounting! As we continue providing mentoring opportunities and monetary scholarships, we are developing new relationship and career building events, one-on-one career coaching, diverse internship opportunities, conferences and more.

Why Us? Offering a culture of diversity & inclusion coupled with the coveted intergenerational experience, AWSCPA of Georgia is more relevant today than ever. We are there to support our members at each of their critical career touch points. We find that students are looking for mentors; CPA candidates are looking for emotional support; those asking “Now what?” mid-career are looking for answers; and those aspiring to be entrepreneurs are searching for the “Secret Formula.” We have successfully cultivated a supportive, collaborative and nurturing environment for over 30-years. Our People are there – in those moments and beyond.

Please help us further her wishes to‘‘...provide resources to assist our young people in the profession.”

Invited attendees include:• C-Suite Level decision makers• Mid/Large CPA Firms• Sole Practioners• Atlanta Universities

• Congress and the House of Representatives• Broadcasting• Banking• Public Figures

Sponsorship Opportunities

Please help us support the scholarships and programs that nurture today’s students and professionals, as they become tomorrow’s leaders. This event is a great opportunity to make new industry contacts.

When Dr. Clark became Dean of the Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) Graduate School for Business Administration, she discovered that there were unmet needs and she knew she had no immediate access to funding. Dr. Clark assessed the situation and then, as Charles, her husband of 60 years, puts it, “she became a professional beggar.” She immediately reached out to the Atlanta accounting community and raised approximately $100,000 from what were known at the time as the Big Eight accounting firms.

In that spirit, as we honor Dr. Clark, we are reaching out to you to join us in championing the cause of diversity and inclusion.

As an Event Sponsor at the Trailblazer, Legacy, Leader, Luminary or Friend level you will automatically be included as Champions in the Souvenir Program and displayed as Champions on the AWSCPA of Georgia Website throughout 2015.

Expected Attendance – 130-150

TrAiLbLAzEr AT $5,000

• Double-page advertisement in program• Recognition in the pre- and post- press• Corporate identity displayed throughout the event and in printed materials• Recognition from the Podium• Dinner & Reception Tickets for 10 Guests• 2 Beverage Tickets per Guest• Logo displayed on Website with hyperlink to Corporate website• Exposure on AWSCPA of Georgia Facebook Page• Sponsor provided literature to all attendees via Exhibit Table & Favor Bag• Sponsor provided promotional items for Favor Bag

LEgAcy AT $3,750

• Full-page advertisement in the program• Recognition in the pre- and post- press• Corporate identity displayed throughout the event and in printed materials• Recognition from the Podium• Dinner & Reception Tickets for 8 Guests• 2 Beverage Tickets per Guest• Logo displayed on Website with hyperlink to Corporate website• Exposure on AWSCPA of Georgia Facebook Page• Sponsor provided literature to all attendees via Exhibit Table & Favor Bag• Sponsor provided promotional items for Favor Bag

LEAdEr AT $2,500 • Half-page advertisement in the program• Corporate identity displayed throughout the event and in printed materials• Dinner & Reception Tickets for 6 Guests• 2 Beverage Tickets per Guest• Logo displayed on Website with hyperlink to Corporate website• Exposure on AWSCPA of Georgia Facebook Page• Sponsor provided literature to all attendees via Exhibit Table & Favor Bag• Sponsor provided promotional items for Favor Bag

LuminAry AT $1,500

• Quarter-page advertisement in program• Corporate identity displayed throughout the event and in printed materials• Dinner & Reception Tickets for 4 Guests• 2 Beverage Tickets per Guest• Logo displayed on Website with hyperlink to Corporate website• Exposure on AWSCPA of Georgia Facebook Page• Sponsor provided literature to all attendees via Exhibit Table & Favor Bag• Sponsor provided promotional items for Favor Bag

FriEnd AT $500

• Corporate Identity displayed throughout the event and in printed materials• Dinner & Reception Tickets for 2 Guests• 2 Beverage Tickets per Guest• Exposure on AWSCPA of Georgia Facebook Page• Sponsor provided literature to all attendees via Exhibit Table & Favor Bag• Sponsor provided promotional items for Favor Bag

The American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA) is a national organization dedicated to serving all women CPAs and those actively pursuing the designation. The AWSCPA provides a supportive environment and valuable resources for members to achieve their personal and professional goals through various opportunities including leadership, networking and education.

AbOuT THE gEOrgiA AFFiLiATE OF AWScPA www.AWSCPA-GA.org

The AWSCPA of Georgia Affiliate is committed to Supporting Women and Enhancing their Success. We believe that because we embrace and celebrate our differences we are stronger, we can go farther, and we can do more! We are proud of our diversity in race, culture, age, career paths, and seasons of life, career & lifestyles.

For more information aboutAWScPA of georgia

Please contact: Kim Schaeffer, 2014-2015 President

About AWSCPA

Sponsorship FormIf you cannot be a sponsor, please don’t be left out. We invite you to claim your spot as a 2015 Advocate with a donation in any amount made payable to the “AWSCPA Foundation.” Please complete and include the sponsorship form with a reference to “GA-Initiatives” in the memo line of your check.

Contact Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Company Name (as it will appear): _________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________

I/we join you in championing the cause of diversity & inclusion:

Trailblazer at $5,000 Luminary at $1,500

Legacy at $3,750 Friend at $500

Leader at$2,500 Advocate at $ ________

You will begin receiving your applicable sponsor recognition upon receipt of payment. Details and specifications regarding artwork and corporate identity will follow via email. Please note that payment and any accompanying artwork must be received by november 15, 2014 to be included in the Souvenir Program.

Thank you for becoming a Sponsor! Please select one of the following payment options:

For a business deduction:

Make your check payable to “AWSCPA of Georgia” which is organized as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization. Accordingly, sponsorships are only deductible as ordinary & necessary business expenses (and not as charitable contributions) to the extent allowed by law.

For a charitable deduction:

Make your check payable to “AWSCPA Foundation” which is organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Please include “GA-Initiative” in the memo line. Your donations to the AWSCPA Foundation are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. Under this option, any food & beverage tickets will be donated back so that no goods or services are provided. Donated tickets will be used to encourage student participation.

For combination Qualified & nonqualified Sponsorship Payments:

Please make one check payable to “AWSCPA of Georgia” for the Nonqualified Sponsorship Food & Beverage portion at $135 per person. For the remaining Qualified Sponsorship Portion, including any portion representing tickets that you are donating back, make a another check payable to “AWSCPA Foundation” and include “GA-Initiative” in the memo line.

Mail your check(s) to: gloria Lewis, Event chair c/o The Lewis cPA Firm, inc.115 Perimeter center Place, nE Suite 435Atlanta, gA 30346

Legacies, Leaders & Luminaries Celebration2015 Celebrating You!

For more information about the:

Please contact: Gloria S. Lewis, Event Chairgloria@LewiscPAFirm.com