Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County NAACP will host its 2017 Black History & Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers. “We invite all to come out and celebrate the cultural contributions that African Americans have made to this country”, said Rockdale NAACP President Thomas Brantley, Jr. “The Black History & Heritage Celebration committee, chaired by Dwight Wicks, has worked to bring extraordinary talent to our county.” The mistress of ceremonies will be media professional Carol Blackmon.   The program will include performances by producer, singer and songwriter Derrick Monk; Tony, Emmy…

Dr. Steven Dial and Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur, invite the community to celebrate the church’s 143rd anniversary. On Saturday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m., a Musical Extravaganza will be held at the church, and on Sunday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m., a celebratory worship service with a dinner following the service will be held. Both events are free and all are welcome. For more information about the 143rd Church Anniversary, email sdialn64@gmail.com or contact the church office at 404-288-1910.

State Rep. Michele Henson (D- Stone Mountain) and the DeKalb County Homeland Security Unit will host an active shooter response workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 to 8 p.m., at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Highway, Decatur. During the workshop, the DeKalb County Homeland Security Unit will discuss the importance of emergency preparedness through a whole community approach and provide products, resources and tools to help individuals prepare in the event of an active shooter incident. Attendees will learn about the integral role that they and other bystanders can play in mitigating the impacts of an event involving an active…

The Decatur/DeKalb chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. invites the community to the “Living Healthier in 2017” community. The free event t will be held March 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p .m., at Welcome Friend Baptist Church, 3198 Bouldercrest Road, in Ellenwood, which is co-sponsor. The health fair will offer participants blood pressure, prostate and BMI screenings, and the opportunity to engage in discussions on heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and nutrition. There also will be exercise sessions for men and women, information on holistic remedies and a healthy meal demonstration. The health fair is…

Gov. Nathan Deal has announced the creation of Georgia’s Older Adults Cabinet, a committee working to enhance the state’s capacity to serve older adults. The Older Adults Cabinet seeks to identify ways for Georgia to improve the well-being of its older residents by bringing together state agency heads whose work supports older Georgians, as well as stakeholders in the business, philanthropic and education communities. “Georgia has one of the fastest-growing populations of older adults in the country — a statistic we expect to continue to rise as baby boomers reach the age of retirement,” said Deal. “The members of this…

ATLANTA – Mayor Kasim Reed delivered his seventh annual State of the City address on Feb. 2, touting economic development, a residential building boom, the ongoing success of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the city’s strong record of reducing crime and improving public safety. “Atlanta is the most vibrant, culturally significant and international city in the Southeast, the anchor of the ninth-largest metropolitan area in America, centered in the eighth-largest state in the union,” Reed said during his speech at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Atlanta’s business, civic, faith and non-profit leaders attending the address. “We are an emerging global force with…

Students and faculty at Georgia Piedmont Technical College were among the fans who have shown their pride for the Atlanta Falcons’ NFC Championship win and the 2017 Super Bowl LI. Every since Atlanta learned the Falcons were going to the Super Bowl in Houston, the city has been awash with red and black and happy fans cheering on the Dirty Birds to “Rise Up” in the big game against the New England Patriots. Even Gov. Nathan Deal has gotten in on the act. Deal proclaimed Feb. 3 as Falcons Friday at the state capitol. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond declared…

DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green issued the following statement regarding diversity and students: “We are hearing a lot of conversation right now—some of it extreme—about how residents originally from outside our country should be treated. As your leader, I want to make sure all our principals and teachers clearly understand the position of the DeKalb County School District on this issue. “We have 102,000 students here. They come from more than 180 countries, and they speak 140 languages. We value them, we love them, and we respect what their presence here says about the goodness and generosity…

Clergy in Rockdale County gathered on Jan. 30 to pray for newly-elected Chairman Oz Nesbitt and leaders of Rockdale to move the county forward. Pastor Eric W. Lee, Sr. of Springfield Baptist Church led the group of 17 clergy members off in the “hour of power” prayer. The prayer was held in Nesbitt’s office. Photos by Glenn Morgan | On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for numerous seasonal summer employment opportunities including summer food monitors, camp counselors, recreation assistants and bus drivers. The deadline is March 27. Applicants must be 18 or older, unless applying for lifeguard or pool manager positions. Lifeguards and pool managers, who must be 16 or older. Proof of current certification from American Red Cross or other nationally recognized aquatic training programs is required for all aquatic positions.  All applicants selected will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check prior to employment. …