Author: On Common Ground News

President Donald J. Trump was found not guilty on Feb. 7, bringing an end to the Senate’s impeachment trial, clearing the path for him to seek re-election and emboldening opponents to defeat him at the ballot box. Trump was acquitted 52-48 on abuse of power, the first article of impeachment. He was acquitted 53-47 on obstruction of justice, the second article of impeachment. The U.S. Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate (67 senators) to convict in an impeachment trial. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, while Democrats hold 45. Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District…

DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office has been selected to participate in the Vera Institute of Justice’s Reshaping Prosecution program, a national initiative focused on criminal justice reform. The program produces ideas, analysis, and research that inspires change in the systems people rely upon for safety and justice. Along with DeKalb, two other counties, including Ingham County in Michigan, and Boulder County in Colorado, were selected for the Vera partnership after demonstrating a strong commitment to working to transform policies, practices, and office culture to address disparities, promote racial equity and increase transparency and accountability…

DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson is inviting the community to the “District 5 Greek Day & Voter Education Symposium” on Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest. The District 5 Greek Day and Voter Education symposium will feature presentations by the historically black Greek organizations referred to as the “Divine Nine.” The organizations include: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, founded 1906, Cornell UniversityAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, founded 1908, Howard University Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, founded 1913, Howard University Phi…

Xernona Clayton and Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant pose during the Feb. 2 “Living Legends” recognition. Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and United States Ambassador to the United Nations , will be honored as a “Living Legend” at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Feb. 9. The 87-year-old civil rights leader will be recognized during a special portion of the 10 a.m. worship service by Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant as part of the church’s Black History Month celebration. Each Sunday, during the month of February, the New Birth congregation will recognize the contributions of notable African-American icons whose contributions…

The DeKalb County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) has relocated its office and all operations to 2300 Parklake Drive, Atlanta as of Monday, Feb. 3. The previous location, 178 Sams Street, Decatur, permanently closed its doors on Friday, Jan. 31. DeKalb County residents now will need to apply for all services at the new location: 2300 Park Lake Drive, Atlanta.Operating hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to walk-in customers – except holidays. The new 113,000-square-foot office building houses over 500 DFCS staff, and is expected to serve more than 100,000 DeKalb families. DFCS, which provides…

The deadline to RSVP for The Pastor’s Table has been extended to Friday, Feb. 21. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is hosting The Pastor’s Table, an event where local clergy in Rockdale County can network and speak with the Chairman and other religious leaders, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about opportunities to serve the community. Senior-level ministry leaders in Rockdale are strongly encouraged to attend. Space is limited to only one senior level religious leader or associate religious leader per house of prayer. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The chairman says the theme is “Fish and Grits.”…

South DeKalb trailblazer Juanita Johnson’s most famous students  were “Little Richard” and Sam Moore of the duo, “Sam and Dave.”                  Decatur resident Juanita Johnson, a retired missionary, evangelist and musician with a long list of accomplishments, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a host of family and friends. Johnson, who has been teaching private piano lessons and voice since 1950, counts Rock ‘n’ Roll artist Little Richard and Sam Moore of the soul and R&B duo, Sam and Dave, among her most famous students. “I worked with Little Richard on playing the…

Mayor Jason Lary poses with DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos at the Prevention of Violence Awareness Day A discussion on the safety and well-being of youths in the community was one of many topics discussed on Feb. 1 at the Jared’s Heart of Success, Inc’s. Prevention of Violence Awareness Day.  The event, held at the Stonecrest Library, was a part of an ongoing national awareness program that educates youth on violence prevention through programs on bullying, suicide prevention, social isolation, gun violence, and teen dating. Mayor Jason Lary and members of the law enforcement community were guest honorees and…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer Over 80 preschoolers and elementary school students at Voices of Faith’s Christian Academy in Stone Mountain and Conyers took learning out of the classroom during a special program to celebrate School Choice Week. The national initiative educates students and parents about various education options available – from public to private schools, charter, magnet, Montessori and even ways to get started with homeschooling online. Voices of Faith’s Christian Academy Principal Sabrina Hayes said this was the schools’ first time participating in the national education campaign. She said she wants parents to know there are…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is accepting entries from high school students who live in or attend school in Georgia Fourth Congressional District to enter the Congressional Arts Competition. Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Since 2007, more than 700 Fourth District students have competed in Rep. Johnson’s annual event. Last year’s winners in the 2019 competition were awarded four college scholarships worth a…