Clyde Mize, who chairs the State Bar of Georgia’s Diversity Program, is setting new goals for 2018, and announcing a new executive director for the organization.

“We’re excited about our programs and are still going strong,” said Mize, who has chaired the group since 2016.

The Georgia Diversity Program, or GDP, conducts events including business development and CLE symposiums, a reception where summer associates can network with judges, and the High School Pipeline Project for minority students interested in law school. Applications for the pipeline program are now being accepted. Click here to apply.

The GDP added Rebecca Christian Smith as Executive Director. She holds the post Marian Cover Dockery vacated when she retired from the Bar in January.

“GDP will benefit from Rebecca’s new and fresh ideas – plus her own history of volunteerism,” Mize said. “She is also very high-energy, which is important for this job.”

Smith’s goals include highlighting what law firms and organizations are doing to encourage diversity and actively work with them to support their efforts.

“We want to show that we are top-notch in Georgia, staying on the forefront of what’s trending in society,” Smith said. “Issues of diversity, inclusion and equality are really important right now.”

Smith was previously a sole proprietor who donated considerable time to pro bono and community efforts. She is past president of the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers and former chair of the Attorney Injury/Illness Helpline Committee. She is a member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the Gate City Bar Association. She earned her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law and did her undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Mize is a Partner in the Morris, Manning & Martin’s Real Estate Group. He also chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee and serves on the board of its corporate social responsibility outreach, MMMPact. He is also the 2018 President of the Gate City Bar Association.