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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

To read Marvin Arrington's autobiography is to be reminded of how someone in this country, combining strength of mind and resilience of character, could make of great obstacles only small hindrances and could shape adversity into possibility. As president of Emory University, Mr. Arrington's alma mater, I hope this book serves as a light of hope to all who read it. This is the story of a splendid American.

—William M. Chace, past president, Emory University

Atlanta's story is a tapestry of many threads and voices that have helped to weave the city's rich, vivid history. Marvin Arrington tells his story from his heart and it is a valued contribution to a city he dearly loves.

—Mayor Shirley Franklin, city of Atlanta

Making My Mark is a highly readable and inspiring account of Marvin Arrington's remarkable journey and the obstacles he overcame to achieve his place of success and accomplishment. On the last page of the book, Marvin hopes that a lot of young people will look at his life and see themselves. They will.

—Donald R. Keough

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

Marvin Arrington has afforded us the opportunity to share the arduous road traveled by African Americans in pursuit of political involvement. The candor and sometimes stark reflections inform people of just how difficult that road can be. He shows by his own example that, we have come far. But his exhortation to others clearly demonstrates the need to be vigilant now more that ever. It can be well said that Marvin Arrington did the best that he could with what he had.

—L. Douglas Wilder, former governor of Virginia

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's autobiography is the story of an African American who came out of an impoverished, abusive environment to become a leading political force in Atlanta politics. Marvin's success is noteworthy and worth the telling: It is a must for those who struggle against the odds and succeed; it's a must for those who seek a more complete understanding of how the civil rights revolution impacted the poor; it's a must for those black intellectuals who claim to represent the black intelligentsia; and it's a must for those at the top who do not yet understand how their policies, practices, and attitudes affect the poor and working class people of America. Marvin's experiences are inspirational because of his guts, drive, and unyielding determination to succeed!

—Clarence Cooper, US District Court judge, North District of Georgia

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 —Marvin Arrington.

—Henry “Hank” Aaron

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

Marvin Arrington’s Making My Mark is especially enjoyable and meaningful to those of us who have known and admired Marvin as a public servant, lawyer, civic leader, judge, and friend because it gives perspective to his outstanding record of leadership.

Marvin captures the unfairness and discrimination of the past, the remarkable but not yet complete changes for the better, and different but difficult obstacles faced by our younger generation. His message is both relevant and compelling to our present and our future. It comes from a judge who has himself faced and overcome many obstacles and who sees everyday the devastation to individuals and society caused by lack of motivation, lack of education, and lack of skills and self-confidence, particularly in an environment of drugs and senseless violence.

Marvin Arrington’s life story is, however, a message of hope, courage, determination, persistence, rising above expectations, and dedicated service to others. He shows us by his own experience that if you ‘make your mark,’ it makes you stronger, smarter, and more determined to succeed.

Making My Mark is an inspirational message to us all. For our young people, it can be life changing.

—Honorable Sam Nunn, former US senator

Making My Mark is both a delightful and important work. For those of us who are African American and whose ages range from fifty to the sixty, Marvin chronicles familiar circumstances segregated public places, limited educational and work opportunities, and outright discrimination,all in a very informative narrative. But, regardless of one’s background, the book is a truly inspirational read. The details of how one courageous, tenacious, talented, and wise individual overcame incredible adversity to become one of Atlanta’s most successful lawyers and powerful public figures comes alive in the book’s pages. From being relegated to Atlanta’s “colored park” to being subjected to a bruising mayoral campaign based on scandalous and false allegations, Marvin Arrington always succeeded. A remarkable story of perseverance, street smarts, political savvy, good judgment, and unfailing success unfolds in this book.

This book is also a paean to Marvin Arrington’s love of Atlanta. Friends, colleagues, classmates, places, and events are lovingly and poignantly described. And, perhaps most importantly, the book offers a glimpse of how one can achieve a life fulfilled. In the end, it is Marvin Arrington’s complete dedication to public service and his city that allows him, after many tumultuous years, to look back on his life and write with such satisfaction and fulfillment.

—Larry D. Thompson, Sr., vice president, general counsel and secretary of Pepsico

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

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