Author: On Common Ground News

Pictured: Glenda Glover, AKA international president and chief executive officer  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® set a new record and raised more than $2.1 million in one day to benefit the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Alpha Kappa Alpha’s annual HBCU Impact Day on Sept. 20 far exceeded the goal, as the country’s first Black sorority received online donations and checks from local AKA chapters, private donors, and corporate matching dollars from across the globe. “In the fourth and final year of our HBCU Impact Day Initiative, I am pleased, honored, and excited to report that we…

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” I believe that now is the time for all people of goodwill and benevolence to seize this moment and do what is right to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We must act immediately to protect our school-aged children, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. We must start talking to each other about the importance of vaccination. And we must be courageous and use our roles in our communities to bring forth change. As someone who was taught to think logically and rationally in…

Restore DeKalb and Educated DeKalb are co-hosting a hybrid meeting with the DeKalb County School District Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris  today, Sept. 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m. The purpose is to  provide the full membership of both organizations the opportunity to ask questions or make comments regarding our three focus areas:   Restore Financial Integrity  Fast Track Cultural Change  Build Stronger Public Engagement and Trust   The community is invited to join the in-person meeting at  The Covenant Church, 1700 Corey Blvd, Decatur.   Join the Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3633861525?pwd=eTNWUG1SZmIvWjUwMCtxbFBRQWd2UT09 Meeting ID: 363 386 1525, Passcode: 376649

Crews to upsize existing sewer lines   DECATUR, GA—Efforts to improve sewer service throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, Oct. 4, with the launch of the Tilly Mill Sewer Realignment Project. The Tilly Mill Sewer Realignment Project will include installation of new, larger sewer lines. Contractors have begun assessing and preparing the impacted areas. More than 4,500 feet of sewer lines will be upgraded. The Tilly Mill Sewer Alignment Project is part of DeKalb County’s $1.345 billion capital improvement program. More information about the Tilly Mill Sewer Realignment Project is available on the “Capital Improvement Projects” section of the DWM website…

STONECREST, GA–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a second pull-up worship service on Sunday, Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the ministry’s campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest. The outdoor worship service will feature Stellar Award-winning artist Pastor Mike Jr. with a special appearance from Praise 102.5’s Darlene McCoy. Earlier this year, Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant pivoted the church’s initial reopening plans and shifted efforts to periodic in-person parking lot experiences in addition to ongoing online services. The drive-in theatre-style celebration will allow attendees to gather outside with options to remain…

CHAMBLEE, GA—Two people are dead after an early morning domestic violence incident that happened today (Sept. 22) in Chamblee. A Chamblee police officer fatally shot a man who was attacking a woman with a knife when police responded to the call at 6:30 a.m. at the Chamblee Heights Apartments, 136 Wiggins Way, authorities said. Investigators said. Both, the suspect and the woman, died at the scene, authorities said. Officers identified the suspect as Irlin Paz, age 40, of Chamble. Paz was actively attacking the woman when police arrived and immediately intervened, authorities said. At least one officer discharged his firearm,…

Gwinnett County is celebrating the contributions of its Hispanic and Latino communities during Hispanic Latino Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15. The festivities include a Heritage Night celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m., at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. Registration is required for this event, which will feature food, music, and a proclamation from the Board of Commissioners recognizing Hispanic Latino Heritage Month in Gwinnett County. RSVP on Eventbrite by Thursday, Sept. 28. Guests will be required to wear masks during the celebration.

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is launching a mobile classroom equipped with resources, supplies and staff  to travel to marginalized communities. District officials say the Mobile Impact Learning Hub, which was launched today(Sept. 22), is designed to remove barriers of getting to a school campus for students and adults who don’t have access to transportation or have linguistic challenges. The bus will be equipped with a library, computers, internet access, desks, and study nooks that will be open free of charge to students and their families.  The bus will go out in the daytime for students who are participating…

ATLANTA –A group of Georgia legislators are speaking out about reports of U.S. border patrol agents allegedly using horse whips and cages to round up Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Thousands of Haitians and other migrants have converged on the border of Del Rio, Texas and other communities in hopes of crossing into the U.S. to seek asylum. Many of them trudging in the heat carrying  supplies and children. State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Rhonda Burnough (D-Burnough), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra Scott (D-Rex) blasted the mistreatment of migrants, calling on Congress to take swift action. “Border patrol…