By Beth Alston

ATLANTA — Bobby L. Fuse Jr. of Americus has been recognized as a “Soldier of Justice” by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. The award is designed to recognize community leaders who stand on the vanguard in developing remedies for growing social and economic problems within our community and state.
Fuse was unable to accept his award at the Annual Heritage Dinner in the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta due to illness but he was recognized at the event.
Fuse is a long-time inspiration to the local community and state. Through his dedication to sustained and selfless service, he has exemplified the virtue of good citizenship. He is admired for his inspirational initiatives that have made a difference not only in Southwest Georgia but in the entire state of Georgia.
Fuse is the convener of the South Georgia Voters’ League, a nonprofit organization network dedicated to the increased education and voter participation of Georgia citizens. He is the sole owner of Muckalee South and Associates, a data-driven strategy firm consulting and advising in the areas of education and political affairs. He’s a trained voter participation trainer by the National Democratic Party of Georgia and a trainer in Kingean nonviolence philosophy. He is the Second Congressional District chair, Democratic Party of Georgia and a member of several state Democratic committees.
A respected retired school system administrator, Fuse served as director of the Safe Schools-Healthy Students Program for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as well as principal of the Howard Luke Academy in Fairbanks, Alaska.
A highly sought after consultant, Fuse possesses skills in governance, organizational management, school accreditation, school improvement, voter education, and voter efficacy. His personal qualities include being a visionary leader with experience, skills, loyalty, and the ability to design, develop, and implement comprehensive projects. He has proven instructional and promotional strategies that work and has devoted a lifetime commitment to serving a diverse community of young people and their families.
Fuse was born and raised in Americus. His mother is Pearl Linder Fuse Wilborn, and his father the late Bobby L. Fuse Sr. He attended the Americus City School System, graduating as the only black student in the Class of 197, Americus High School. He was a school integrator during the failed Freedom of Choice tactic. He is a 1974 graduate of Morehouse College with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, a 1975 graduate of Michigan State University with the master of arts degree in secondary education and curriculum development. He has done additional study at Georgia State University in school leadership.
Professionally, Fuse has had a distinguished as a classroom teacher, school principal, assistant to a superintendent, adjunct instructor and system program director. He was the first director of Youth Programs at The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Inc., a contributor to the Detroit Mini-Station Community Police Project, has lead first-time accreditation of several school systems and served on many advisory educational committees.
Fuse has or currently participates actively as chair and facilitator, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; chair, AdvancEd Quality Assurance Review Team; chair, Sumter County Board of Equalization; Advisory Council Sumter County Youth Detention Center; Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Affairs Committee member; Housing Authority of the City of Americus, board chair; Martin Luther King Jr. Institute Nonviolence Trainer; and on the Jimmy Carter Center Atlanta Project, Housing and Education Committees. He also serves as a member of the Americus Times-Recorder’s Reader Advisory Committee.
Fuse was or currently is devoted to community and civic activities including Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, deacon; General Missionary Baptist Convention, Third District Layman Assistant Teacher; St. John Lodge #17, Prince Hall Masons of Georgia; Chapter #26, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Lodge of Georgia; Atlanta Consistory #24, United Supreme Council 32nd Masons; Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, advisor/trustee; Democratic Party of Georgia State Committee member; Sumter for Change Political Action Committee; Sumter County Movement Remembered Celebration Committee; King Week National Celebration Steering Committee; Morehouse National Alumni Association; Michigan State University National Alumni Association; National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; My Vote Matters Fund; and Black Voters Matter Fund.
He is also featured in: CivilRightsMovementVeterans.org/rollcall/bobbyfuse/