Author: On Common Ground News

   Three organizations will benefit from a $30K donation made by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Clarence F. Seeliger. The recipients include the DeKalb Lawyers Association, which provides scholarships to African-American students attending law school; the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, which provides legal training and counsel services for the indigent and victims of domestic violence;  and Atlanta Legal Aid, which has provided legal counsel to the indigent for nearly 100 years. “What better way to honor Black History Month than to invest in the dreams of others.  Judge Seeliger’s generous contributions have established…

Soulidifly Productions, a company founded in 2017 with a mission to produce uplifting stories that are entertaining and beautifully told, has created SoulVision.TV https://soulvision.tv/, a new digital streaming network with an emphasis on authentic and positive human stories. Launching on Valentine’s Day – Friday, Feb. 14 – with more than 200 hours of content, SoulVision.TV will be accessible from all leading streaming platforms – Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire – and on all mobile platforms, tablets and other devices including smart TVs and home computers. “We live in a 500-channel world, and all too often it’s the same thing:…

Stonecrest resident and business owner Angela Zimmerman, owner of Chicken, Wings & Waffles, passed away on Feb. 11 at DeKalb Medical at Hillandale. City of Stonecrest officials who had frequented Zimmerman’s restaurant at 6768 Browns Mill Road had few details about her death. Stonecrest Communications Director Adrion Bell said he and other city officials were shocked and saddened by her sudden passing. “Angela suffered from a heart condition and we believe this is what caused her death at around 10:30 today (Feb. 11). Last September, Mayor Jason Lary, Councilman Jimmy…

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host the District 5 Black History Program on Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. This one-woman, one-act monologue entitled “Interrupted Motherhood”is a passionate and engaging story drawn from personal experiences and specifically written to overcome obstacles in motherhood and celebrate life. “This event is free and open to the public,” Davis Johnson said. “We welcome everyone to come out and experience this dynamic program.” Groups of 10 or more should contact Commissioner…

The Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D., senior pastor, and the Music and Worship Arts Department at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, 240 Candler Road, SE/Atlanta, will present its 4th Annual Black History Month Negro Spiritual Concert on Sunday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. This free concert will feature Negro spirituals hosted by Saint Philip’s Choir #1 and includes the following invited choirs:  Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church Inspirational Voices; Cascade United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir; Greenforest Community Baptist Church Choir; North Decatur Presbyterian Church Choir; Ray of Hope Christian Church’s Voices…

  The DeKalb History Center’s February Lunch & Learn will be presented by culinary historian Akila Sankar McConnell on Tuesday, Feb. 25, noon to 1 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse(2ndfloor), 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. For nearly 100 years, the single-biggest industry in Atlanta was the food industry, and African Americans played a huge role in defining what was sold, eaten, and cooked in this city. Join McConnell to learn how food entrepreneurism propelled the rise of Atlanta’s black middle class and contributed to the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Learn about early black…

Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, was honored as a “Living Legend” at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Feb. 9. Dr. Jamal Bryant honored the 87-year-old civil rights leader as part of the church’s Black History Month celebration. Young, who worked as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, served as a United States congressman and later, the 55thMayor of Atlanta. Noted for his role in drafting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights…

The Conyers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) recently presented the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award to Keish Momin for his efforts in the renovation and beautification of Iron Skillet Southern Kitchen and 908 Special Events located at 908 Commercial Street in Olde Town Conyers. Built in 1900, 908 Commercial Street formerly housed an agriculture emporium, insurance office, furniture store, and retail space before the restaurant side that is Iron Skillet Southern Kitchen opened in June 2019. Momin purchased the propertyin 2017 and began making renovations to the restaurant and special events facility.  Keish Momin and Sonia Momin “The Conyers Downtown Development…

Piedmont Rockdale Hospital’s Volunteer Auxiliary has donated $4,000 to the hospital’s newly opened heart failure clinic. The auxiliary’s donation will assist the clinic in expanding its ability to care for patients, and purchase much-needed equipment for the new clinic. The Heart Failure Disease Management Clinic at Piedmont Rockdale opened in December and provides outpatient services such as patient education, lab monitoring, intravenous diuretic medications, and disease management support. “Hearing the term ‘heart failure’ can lead people to believe that their heart has stopped working and there’s nothing they can do to get better,” said Kelly Fairbrass, NP-C. “Heart failure is…

Rockdale County High School and Heritage High School were named 2020 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, a distinction RCPS high schools have achieved for more than 10 consecutive years. “I congratulate our AP Honor High Schools for their commitment to expanding AP course offerings and participation across all disciplines while simultaneously increasing AP exam achievement among all students,” said Rockdale Schools Superintendent Terry Oatts. “As a district, we are expanding our AP course offerings at each of our high schools as we are committed to facilitating optimal student learning, achievement, and growth, in…