Author: On Common Ground News

Photos by William Thomas Georgia AME Sixth District Bishop Reginald T.  Jackson along with faith and community leaders rallied on June 15 at the Georgia State Capitol, calling for passage of Hate Crimes legislation. The rally was held as Georgia lawmakers reconvened to complete this year’s Legislative Session, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “When I was assigned in 2016 as Bishop of more than 500 African Methodist Episcopal Churches in Georgia, I was stunned to discover the state did not have a hate crimes law,” Jackson said in a statement. “Speaking before the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus…

ATLANTA—The funeral for Rayshard Brooks will be held at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 23. Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, was fatally shot outside of a Wendy’s restaurant in southeast Atlanta on June 12. He had fallen asleep in the  drive-thru, gotten into scuffle with two white police officers after resisting arrest and was shot in the back as he ran from them. Brooks’ death sparked protests nationally. Brooks’ family asked that his funeral be held at Ebenezer and the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, the church’s senior pastor, welcomed them. “Ebenezer is a parish for all people,…

DECATUR—The DeKalb County Board of Health is delaying the previously planned June 22 opening of a COVID-19 testing site at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur. The site at 3250 Rainbow Drive will now open on Monday, June 29. Testing continues to remain available at the following locations: Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
2340 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur, 30034 Former K-Mart Store Parking Lot (at I-285 and Buford Hwy.)
5597 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville, 30340 Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church
1879 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, 30316 Kingswood Church
4896 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody, 30338
(Note: This site is only open on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today (June 18) that he has hired former Judiciary Committee Oversight Counsel Charles R. Gayle as his new chief of staff. Gayle replaces Arthur D. Sidney, who after 11 years as Rep. Johnson’s chief, left to work at a non-profit in the tech sector. “I wish Arthur the very best and thank him for his tremendous service,” said Johnson. “He helped me and our office achieve great things, and he will be missed. But we are excited to have Charlie on board. Behind his leadership, I expect great things and the continued…

DeKalb County is allocating $1 million program to fund nonprofits to assist residents who have an immediate need for overdue rent, mortgage assistance, utility assistance, food or other unforeseen financial emergency needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofit organizations that serve the county are encouraged to apply by the June 24 deadline. “The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the health and economic wellbeing of many of our citizens,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “With support from the Board of Commissioners, we have established a program to work with local nonprofit organizations to provide vital necessities to our citizens.” Funding for this…

Rep. Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, is being honored as a recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America award. The Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award recognizes members of Congress who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership  to advancing policies that support America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. “I am happy to accept this award, and pledge to continue fighting for good fiscal policy that lifts everyone up not just the privileged few,” said Johnson. “President Lincoln once said: ‘Don’t worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition.’ I appreciate this recognition,…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated these construction projects as part of ongoing maintenance to  repair approximately 100,000 linear feet of aging sewer pipe countywide. Beginning June 22, a portion of the southbound lane near 3490 Memorial Drive will be closed from  8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while crews work to repair approximately 230 feet of aging sewer pipe. This section of Memorial Drive will reopen on Friday, June 26. Also, Kingswood Drive, between Heathmoor Place and Cheviot Drive, will be closed on June 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while 100 linear feet of crumbling infrastructure…

100 complimentary haircuts, 500 free meals to be provided for fathers STONECREST—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating local dads with free meals and haircuts as part of its Father’s Day activities. Five local barbershops are partnering with the Stonecrest congregation to provide 100 complimentary cuts for fathers on Saturday, June 20. Spacing is limited and appointments are required. The participating barbershops are located in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Lithonia. On the same day, 500 fathers will be treated to a free steak dinner at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Signage and greeters at the church will direct fathers…

The Rockdale County Tax Commissioner’s Office will begin servicing customers in the lobby by appointment on Monday, June 22. Appointments can be made by calling 770-278-7600 and selecting prompt 5 to speak with an agent, or by texting 678-964-4712. In preparation for reopening, the office will be closed on Friday, June 19. Online services and the kiosk will be available on Friday. In a continued effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, residents are encouraged to contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office by phone or via text. Transactions can also be completed by mail, online, via the dropbox or at a kiosk.…

DeKalb County Schools Athletics is set to begin Phase 1 of the return to conditioning for varsity fall sports on Monday, June 22, under provisionS implemented by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and the District. Coaches for football, cross country, softball and volleyball have been versed in online meetings on the guidelines set up by the GHSA and the DCSD Athletic Department/District Handbook (posted online at https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/athletics/files/2020/06/DCSD-Return-to-Conditioning-Handbook-2020.pdf) to keep all athletes and coaches as safe as possible during the Covid19 pandemic. The principals and Athletic Liaisons at the individual schools have been informed of the protocols for this first…