Author: On Common Ground News

The  DeKalb County Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (100BMOD) welcomed a new class of members at its 2021 Spring induction in March: Jeremy Abernathy, Muddessar Ahmad, Omari Crawford, Joshua Davis, Reginald Fortson, Roger Harris, Johnston Pope, Art Roman and George Shealey, Jr. Family, friends and other 100 members witnessed the swearing-in ceremony during the socially distanced event, which was held at Fernbank Museum. Also recognized during the ceremony were members of the Fall 2020 class including: Phillip Battle, DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw,  Pastor Jamal Bryant, and Roderick Cunningham. The board of directors spoke highly…

By Lance Hammonds Chair of the Rockbridge Coalition The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement produces an annual “Report Card” that tracks several factors that impact student achievement in Georgia. The report card is designed to provide information to educators, parents, students, and all stakeholders with valuable information and challenges us to improve education for all the children in our community. I struggled with this information because I do not believe it properly reflects the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. But this is the information that the state of Georgia posts on their website regarding…

South DeKalb County community activist Ann Brown, who was fondly nicknamed the “Mayor of Belvedere,” has passed away. “We lost a great community leader this weekend,” said DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson. “She was an advocate of the people and loved her neighborhood, Belverdere. She helped get Avondale Mall torn down and revitalized by bringing the Wal-mart in, 400 new jobs, and the Healthy Belverdere Project with Kaiser that focused on healthy eating and active \living.” Johnson said Brown also pushed for improvements at Shoal Creek Park, the streetscscape on Memorial Drive and successfully fought to have a strip…

The Gwinnett Newton Rockdale (GNR) Health Department has announced that COVID-19 vaccination appointments are now being administered by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). To schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Rockdale residents can visit https://www.gnrhealth.com/covid-vaccine-scheduling/ or https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine. Residents can also text ‘VAX’ to 1-844-554-4024 to be notified of any appointment openings nearby. When using the web links or the text function, there will be a series of questions to answer. If using the GNR website, computer users will be automatically forwarded to the DPH website. For residents who prefer to make an appointment by phone,…

DECATUR, GA—Mental health, racial equity, strengthening the community, and rebuilding the public health workforce are just some of the focus areas for this year’s observance of National Public Health Week , April 5-11. As the COVID-19 pandemic passes its first full year, it has revealed significant challenges and opportunities in public health in DeKalb County, the district’s health director says. “The pandemic has simply magnified issues that have plagued public health for several decades,” said District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford, M.D. “For many years, we’ve worked with a reduced workforce and reduced funding, not only locally, but across the country. The inequities in access…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr and the Georgia Department of Health are again warning Georgians that scammers have been trying to exploit the vaccine rollout by calling, texting or emailing consumers asking for payment for the promise of getting the vaccine, scheduling an appointment or getting on the waiting list. “Scam artists are attempting to take advantage of people’s sense of urgency about getting the vaccine,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “Remember that the vaccine is free, and hang up on any caller who asks you for money or personal information related to the vaccine.” The Attorney General’s…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance encourage visitors to enjoy the springtime at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and to park in additional designated areas.   When visiting the Davidson- Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, located 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, patrons are encouraged to “Leave No Trace” during trips to the nature preserve by treading lightly and staying on the bare granite.   The trails are an important part of the community and well-designed to create a family friendly environment for thousands of joggers, walkers, bikers, and skaters from all walks of…

DECATUR, GA — On Wednesday, April 7, 3p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding an American Rescue Plan (ARP) “Teach-In” event to highlight the life-saving resources contained in the new law.  The virtual event will help people understand how they can benefit from the various provisions of the bill by connecting constituents with resources under the plan. Johnson will bring together experts from federal, state and local agencies to speak with Fourth District residents about what the American Rescue plan means for them, their families and small businesses – and how the ARP has empowered these agencies to help…

PINE LAKE, GA— “Pandemic Porch Portraits,” a photo wall created by Cindy M. Brown, will open on April 11, at the tennis court beside the Western wetlands, Lakeshore Drive, in Pine Lake.  The public is invited to a socially distanced outdoor opening reception on Sunday, April 11, 4 to 6 p.m., and to view the exhibit when visiting Pine Lake Park this spring.   Admission is free.  Masks are required. Featuring portraits of Pine Lakers posing with their families, pets and creative projects, this outdoor installation documents how one community has survived and thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The project, which began as photographer Brown’s way…

Photo cutline: Flat Rock Archives Johnny Waits teaches children about agriculture in Flat Rock, one of Georgia’s oldest Black communities, as part of a previous year’s Junior Ranger Day. Photo provided by AMNHA STONECREST, GA– Starting with Park Rx Day on Saturday, April 17, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA) will participate in National Parks Week, eight days of celebration of different aspects of the National Park System in general and the AMNHA in particular. The week will culminate with a National Junior Ranger Day scavenger hunt on April 24, an outdoor exploration of the nature and history found throughout the National…