2025 Leadership Luncheon

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About Robert Avery, Sr

Robert was born and reared in the City of Gadsden. He was educated in the Gadsden City Schools. He is a 1967 graduate of Carver High School, and attended Gadsden State Community College.

Robert retired from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Gadsden Plant, in 2001 after 30 years of service. He has been married for over 56 years to his high school sweetheart, Jan, and they have 2 children, Kimberly Avery-Rollins and Robert (Bobby) Avery, Jr. They have twin grandchildren, Avery and J’Una Rollins, Other grandchildren are Robert III, Samantha and McKayla Avery. Robert now has four great-granddaughters, Meleah, McKenzie, Maree, Monlaya and great grandson Mason.

Robert currently serving as president of the Northeast Alabama Black Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the 3rd Congressional District of Alabama New South Coalition.

Consultant with GJA Consultants Inc. Robert served 6 terms as a member of the Gadsden City Council, representing District 3. He was the first black to be elected to a public office in the City of Gadsden.

Robert was also the first City Councilman from Gadsden to become a Certified Municipal Official (CMO), completing the certification period and receiving a diploma. He was first to complete additional training and receive the designation of Advanced CMO.

Robert has also been very active in advocating for local cities and towns on the State and Federal levels. He work for the U. S. Census Bureau, He served as Chair of the National League of Cities FAIR (Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations) Committee. He was a member of the Alabama League of Municipalities FAIR Committee, having served as Vice-Chair and Chair. He also serves on the Committee on State and Federal Legislation, and is a past member of the Executive Committee. Robert participates in constituency groups and has served as President of the Alabama Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. He served on the board of directors for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.

Robert has extensive involvement in the community and has served in leadership roles of many organizations. He served on the board of Trustees of Alabama A&M University, He served on The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB of ATLANTA) Housing Advisory Board. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Etowah County Community Action Agency and achieved certification as a Certified Director for Community Action Agencies. His other affiliations include Vision, Inc., Hope Unity Board, RSVP, 21st Century Leadership, Inc., Association of Community Development Corporations of Alabama, Alabama New South Coalition (Past State President, Past President of the Etowah County Chapter and on (the State Board of Directors), the NAACP, the Etowah County Chapter of the SCLC, Brethren in Politics, and the Etowah County Voters League.

Robert has been involved in the civil rights movement for over 60 years. He and two other young men hitchhiked to Washington from their homes in Gadsden, Alabama, on August 18, 1963. They were the first to arrive in Washington for the march on August 21, 1963. They were given jobs in the March on Washington headquarters for a week prior to the march, For his participation in the 1963 march, Robert was also featured in a Time Magazine (August 2013) article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the march and another Time Magazine article on civil rights in America (May 2014). He was also featured in a CNN television documentary entitled “We Were There” that chronicled the historic event. President Barack Obama, in a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus annual awards banquet in September 2013, recognized Robert’s dedication to the civil rights movement.

Robert’s past activities include serving in the Gadsden Jaycees, the Alabama Jaycees (5 years on the State Executive Committee), the National Jaycees, Vice-President of the March of Dimes Board of Directors, President of the Board of Directors of Mount Pilgrim Homes, Inc., Gadsden High School Band Booster, Director for many years of the Etowah County Summer Food Program, President of the Gadsden Saints Football Team Booster Club, Commissioner of the Under 8 League and Coach for the Etowah County Soccer Association, Gadsden Tenant Association, ANCHOR/RSVP Board of Directors, and the Gadsden High School Athletic Booster Club. He has served on the boards of Etowah Country Extension Services, Gadsden Community Services Council, Vice-President of the Gadsden Tennis Patrons Association, and the Etowah County Extension Service.

The Avery family are members of the Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church (950 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, Alabama) where the Rev. Charles Posey is Pastor.