Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Terry Oatts was recently distinguished as part of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Who’s Who in Education” for 2020. This special section honors the top men and women leading the way in K-12 and postsecondary education in metro-Atlanta. “I am honored to join those of my colleagues who have been duly recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a top educational leader,” said Oatts. “What I am most proud of is the progress we have made as a district during the last two years. While we certainly have more progress to make, we have already…

The murder of George Floyd, the unarmed black man, who was killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota sparked protests, a number of them violent, across the U.S. Photographer Joshua Smith captured these scenes in downtown Atlanta on Sunday, May 31, around 6:30 p.m.  Protestors and authorities face off during a peaceful demonstration. A convoy of the National Guard rolled through the streets. Police, dressed in riot gear, were ready to enforce the 9 p.m. curfew set for demonstrators to be off the streets. Just two days earlier, protestors had clashed with the police and vandalized…

DECATUR—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and Dairy Queen on Flat Shoals Parkway celebrated the frontline medical staff at Emory Hillandale Hospital with an ice cream social. Dairy Queen donated 200 blizzards to the staff to say “thank you” for their tireless efforts and to help brighten their day. Johnson said the real heroes are the frontline workers who are putting in long hours daily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are excited to partner with Dairy Queen to make things happen in our community. It is all about giving back.  This small token of appreciation made an already sweet staff, even sweeter,” Johnson said. Johnson was joined on…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today, June 1, that his 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for middle and high school students is officially open. The CAC accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.). The Challenge’s submission portal is now open and students may register entries here. All apps are due by Oct. 19 but students are encouraged to register online by Sept. 10. “The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience,” said Rep. Johnson, chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), chaired by State Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), issued the following statement  today, June 1, in response to the weekend protests against racial and police violence: “While our country is trying to stave off the threat of one disease, another disease continues to plague our communities. America has to find the courage to confront its racism and how it undermines our greatness and corrodes our soul. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus prays and advocates on behalf of victims who have died for no other reason than being black in America. During the…

The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred today, June 1, at the Walmart store at 24727 Gresham Road, Decatur. Officers responded to the scene around 2 p.m. in reference to a person shot, police said. The incident began as a dispute between two men, in which in his mid-60s was shot inside the store. That man later died on the way to the hospital. A man in his late-50s has been detained. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Rev. Robert C. Wrigh and George Floyd ATLANTA—The Right Rev. Robert C. Wright, 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, issued the following statement in response to the killing by police of George Floyd: “From the founding of our country we have had a white supremacy problem. In three vivid and tragic incidents this week, this founding flaw has been revealed again. What looks like the behavior of a few bad actors is actually a system producing what it was designed to produce, the denial of dignity and safety to black and brown people, specifically black men. My heart…

By Orrin C. Hudson Founder and CEO Be Someone Inc. Bad things happen when people stay on the sidelines and do nothing, we must make boss moves. This is one of those times. As I watch the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, I’m moved to raise my voice calling for peace and brotherhood. What you sincerely desire for your others will happen for you. I want and seek both justice and peace. In  my 6+ years of being a law enforcement  officer, everyone I stopped -color mattered not –  I treated like they were the most important…

STONECREST—Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant repurposed New Birth’s planned drive-in worship service to a peaceful demonstration for justice on Sunday, May 31. Bryant decided to hold the demonstration on Pentecost Sunday following the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd as well as demonstrations across the country were held by angry protestors. Rioting ended in damaged property and disorder in Atlanta over the weekend. Pictured: (L-R) CEO Micheal Thurmond and Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant “What we are seeing from some is the unbridled rage and disappointment from a system that has repeatedly failed to protect them and unjust treatment at the hands…

NAACP DeKalb In addition to the marker being installed, NAACP DeKalb is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for The DeKalb Remembrance Project Essay Contest. DeKalb students were invited to write an essay on this subject. There were more than 30 students who participated in the essay contest. “The marker stands as a tool to educate, equip and empower the students in our community,”  said Teresa Hardy, president of the NAACP DeKalb The historical marker lists the names of documented lynching victims in DeKalb County. The NAACP DeKalb congratulates these essay winners.