Author: On Common Ground News

Steve Bradshaw elected as presiding officer, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson as deputy presiding officer The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to elect Commissioner Steve Bradshaw as the board’s presiding officer on Jan. 14.  Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was elected deputy presiding officer. Bradshaw began his term as the District 4 Commissioner on Jan. 1, 2017. He has served as the deputy presiding officer since January 2018 and was also elected to that position by unanimous vote of his colleagues. “I would like to thank my esteemed colleagues on this Board of Commissioners for your vote of confidence,” Bradshaw said in…

CONYERS — On Sunday, Jan. 12, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted his inaugural Unsung Hero Awards at the Black Box Theatre. Johnson honored 20 leaders from DeKalb, Rockdale Gwinnett and Newton counties who go above and beyond their job descriptions to give back to their communities and assist the constituents of Georgia’s Fourth District. “The world today is in a very difficult situation,” said Rep. Johnson. “It seems like wrong has been winning over right and lies have been winning over truth. In times like this, it is critical for us to come together as a community and recognize the…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest,  held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-grand opening of its  Samson Health & Fitness Center on Jan. 12. Dr. Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor, led the ceremonies. The state-of-the-art fitness facility features 80,000 feet of workspaces featuring four full basketball courts, speed and agility areas, weight room, cardio area, group class space and snack bar. This month, Bryant is focusing his weekly sermons and online messages on topics of health and wellness. “We are in a serious health crisis across America where far too often we find African American’s…

State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) received the Dream Forward Elected Official Award, sponsored by The King Center, on Jan. 14 at the kickoff reception for the King Holiday Observance. Jones was among several who were honored at the event, which was held at The King Center in downtown Atlanta. “It is an honor to be recognized with this award as we kick-off our observance of Dr. King’s legacy,” said Jones. “It is especially exciting to be honored alongside other community leaders making a difference in their respective fields. Despite working across a broad spectrum of jobs, we are…

Rev. James “Major” Woodall The Rev. James “Major” Woodall, state president of the Georgia NAACP, will deliver the charge during DeKalb County’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. At age 25, Rev. Woodall became the youngest state president in NAACP history when he was elected to lead the Georgia NAACP in 2019. He serves as an associate minister at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Marietta. Rev. Woodall also is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. An alumnus of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in religious studies, Rev.…

Stonecrest City Councilmembers George Turner and Rob Turner (who are not related) were sworn in to second terms tonight (Jan. 13) at City Hall chambers. Both men were re-elected in unopposed races. Stonecrest Municipal Judge Michael Sheridan performed the swearing-in ceremonies. A crowd witnessed the event, which took place at the first City Council meeting for 2020. George Turner also was unanimously reelected by council members to serve a two-year term as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem chairs the meeting in the absence of the mayor. The number of successive terms an individual may hold…

By Candice Guthrie Mason Mill Park will be more beautiful, thanks to volunteers who plan to roll up their sleeves and join park staff members and master gardeners to spruce up the park. DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is hosting its first Volunteer Day of 2020 on Jan. 12, 1 to 4 p.m., at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Volunteers will assist park staff and Georgia master gardeners in beautifying the park by removing weeds and invasive species from the park, county officials said. “Mason Mill Park hosts a volunteer day almost…

(Left to Right) Stonecrest Library’s first branch manager Theresa Totten, Louise E. Alexander, Vice President of The Friends of Stonecrest Library, Jennifer Moore, President of The Friends of Stonecrest Library and Stonecrest Branch Manager Michael Strong. Photo provided by The Friends of Stonecrest Library. By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer A host of supporters and patrons showed up to welcome Stonecrest Library’s newest branch manager, Michael Strong, on Jan. 6 at a meet-and-greet reception held at the library. “It was truly an overwhelmingly awesome experience being welcomed into the Stonecrest family. I am looking forward to getting to know…

Pictured left to right are Charles West,of CW Network Studios; actor Lou Gossett, Jr.; Mayor Jason Lary; and actor John Amos.   Photos provided by Adrion Bell/City of Stonecrest. Actors John Amos and Louis Gossett, Jr. were among the guest attendees at Stonecrest’s Development Authority meeting at City Hall on Jan. 9.  The actors were present to endorse the efforts of Charles West, of CW Network Studios, who is considering Stonecrest as the location site for a $50 million state-of-the-art animation facility. West as joined on the agenda by Brian Livesay, founder of Soanes Consulting, which helped launch Atlanta…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is accepting enrollment for its School Choice programs for the 2020-2021 school year Open enrollment, which began on Jan. 7, ends on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Families who live in the DeKalb school district can apply for DCSD’s many diverse programs, such as the dual immersion language programs and distinguished magnet programs. The School Choice Programs are available at the elementary, middle, or high school level. Students currently enrolled in DeKalb County schools will need their student ID number and a parent’s email address. New, private- or home-schooled students need a…