Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA– Attorney General Chris Carr announced Feb. 9 that his office has entered into a settlement with Rent-A-Center. The settlement resolves allegations that the company engaged in deceptive sales and marketing tactics and violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the course of its rent-to-own sales of furniture, electronics and appliances. “Our office takes seriously allegations of deceptive business practices, and companies that take advantage of our citizens will be held accountable,” said Carr. “Through our Consumer Protection Division, we work daily to protect our fellow Georgians and will continue to pursue businesses that promote unlawful marketplace activity.” In…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Health, in partnership with DeKalb County Government, MARTA, and our testing partner, Viral Solutions, opened a new COVID-19 testing site on Feb. 5 in the parking lot of the Brookhaven MARTA station. The new, larger location, located on the Apple Valley Rd. side of the station (1238 Apple Valley Rd., NE), provides space for additional vehicles to line up without affecting traffic flow and will replace the testing site currently located in the North DeKalb Health Center parking lot. The North DeKalb Health Center parking lot testing site will close…

NEW YORK—On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Georgia NAACP will celebrate Founder’s Day by conducting a round table discussion in New York on Medicaid Expansion, voting rights, affordable housing and other critical issues. The nation’s oldest civil Rights organization will host several dynamic speakers at the round table including the Rev. Al Williams, District 168; Georgia Sen. Elena Parent, District 42; State Rep. Debra Bazemore, District 63; and State Rep. Derrick Jackson, District 64. This virtual event will be held 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   The Zoom link: us02web.zoom.us/j/83923283638  Meeting ID: 839 2328 3638 Passcode: 778297

WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson voted to pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation to end forced arbitration for sexual harassment and assault survivors nationwide. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, H.R. 4445, will void forced arbitration agreements in any contract if a sexual assault or harassment claim is brought. According to the Economic Policy Institute, for employment contracts, more than 60 million Americans would be impacted alone. That estimate grows exponentially when considering other contracts and terms and conditions where forced arbitration clauses are typically found, such as in nursing homes, property leases, ride-share…

  CONYERS, GA—The Conyers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) recently presented the 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award to Jim Gomez and Andrea Darden for their efforts in renovation and beautification at the Celtic Tavern, 918 Commercial Street in Olde Town Conyers. Owners of the Celtic Tavern since 2020, Gomez and Darden committed to carrying on the Irish pub tradition that originated with Walt and Holly Sammons upon the restaurant’s opening in May 2000 and its most recent owners, Greg Burch and Jim Speed, before Gomez and Darden purchased the restaurant. Capitalizing on his background as an independent contractor, Gomez…

NEW YORK –BLACK ENTERPISE, the No. 1 multimedia resource for African American entrepreneurs and business leaders, will present the latest installment of the BLACK ENTERPRISE Economic Equity & Racial Justice Town Hall Series: “Criminal Justice Reform – Developing A Fair and Equitable System for All” on Thursday, Feb. 10, 7– 8:30 p.m. EST. The virtual town hall series is produced in partnership with The Executive Leadership Council.  CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers will serve as moderator. Prudential and Walmart are presenting sponsors of the Criminal Justice Reform Town Hall. Panelists for the Criminal Justice Reform Town Hall session include…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting a live virtual hiring event. The question-and-answer session will begin at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, Zoom. Attendees will hear from a recruiter who will explain the department’s hiring process and answer questions during the live webinar. “We are excited to be able to bring real-time answers to those interested in becoming part of our family,” said Chief Ramos. “We hope that many candidates will take advantage of this great opportunity to serve their community.” The event is free and open to anyone interested.

STONECREST, GA—New Birth Senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant relaunched The King’s Table food pantry on Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. after a brief hiatus. The King’s Table, which has served more than 850,000 people since its inception, partnered with PETA, Slutty Vegan and others for a vegan-inspired food distribution that served hundreds of families in metro Atlanta. Bryant was joined by Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole to give out 300 free Chik’n Head and PLT burgers, 500 cartons of JD’s Vegan ice cream donated by producer Jermaine Dupri, and 1,000 vegan starter kits—packed with fresh…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the height of the pandemic, records were broken as millions of Americans filed claims for unemployment benefits. As demand soared, the U.S. Department of Labor provided instructions to states to administer payments under several programs authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. As guidance evolved, states paid benefits – in some cases – to individuals who were not entitled to receive them, although the individuals were not at fault. Today(Feb. 7), the department issued an Unemployment Insurance Program Letter to states to address overpayments under the CARES Act’s Unemployment Compensation Programs when the claimant is not…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the appointment of Judge Ronald B. Ramsey Sr. to serve as the chair of the DeKalb Charter Review Commission. “Judge Ramsey’s judicial and legislative experience will be invaluable as we continue reviewing the county charter to ensure that we are responsive to needs of current and future residents of DeKalb,” CEO Thurmond said. Thurmond’s executive order, signed in March 2021, charges the Charter Review Commission with identifying potential enhancements and improvements in service delivery or operational structure; and ensuring DeKalb County will be able to respond to any future state of emergency.…