Author: On Common Ground News

The King Center will host its 37thSalute to Greatness Awards Gala in celebration of the annual King Holiday Observance on Saturday, Jan.18, 2020, 7 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Street, NE in Atlanta. The annual signature fundraiser is a preeminent gala awards ceremony honoring individuals, corporations, humanitarians, activists and other organizations whose leadership has demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, The King Center is proud to salute: Cathy Hughes, founder and chairwoman, Urban One, Inc.,Salute to Greatness Individual Award Kellogg Company, Salute to Greatness Corporate Award…

DeKalb’s Chief Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson, Deputy Solicitor General Kenya Johnsonand substance abuse counselor Original Michael. The Davis Bozeman law firm honored community three leaders on Dec. 7 at its annual holiday affair, which was held at the Gathering Spot. Fox 5’s Portia Brunerserved as master of ceremonies for the Community Service Awards program. This year’s honorees included DeKalb’s Chief Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson, Deputy Solicitor General Kenya Johnsonand substance abuse counselor Original Michael. “As a socially conscious law firm, we are proud to honor individuals and organizations that help build our community. The three honorees this year for…

Rockdale State Court Judge Nancy Bills presents check to Vickie Stevenson, executive director of Project ReNeWal. The Race Against Violence (RAV) 5K capped off its 10thAnniversary by making a donation to the local shelter for victims of family violence, Project Renewal. Judge Nancy Bills of the Rockdale County State Court and chair of the Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence, presented Vickie Stevenson, executive director of Project Renewal, with a check for $16,000.  Stevenson said the annual donation is extremely helpful every year with expenses that are not normally covered by grants. The donation is a result of the…

Pictured left to right: GSBA Sponsor Tom Kamierski, Rockdale County BOE Chairwoman Katrina Young, Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Terry Oatts, Rockdale County BOE member Sandra Jackson-Lett, GSBA President Frank Griffin receives inaugural Leading Edge Award. The Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) was recently honored by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) with the inaugural “Leading Edge Award,” which highlights school districts that are leading the way in ensuring students are competitive in an ever-changing global market. The board was recognized for its innovative college and career readiness efforts during the Georgia School Boards Association / Georgia School…

Photo Essay by Mackenzie Morgan The Conyers Christmas Parade presents “Christmas in the South” Students from Rockdale County High School marching band played holiday tunes while marching through Downtown Conyers at theConyers Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7. Local step team dancers pranced down the streets of Olde Town Conyers during the Christmas parade. Left to right: Newly-elected City Council members, Connie Alsobrook and Valyncia Smith  greeted Conyers residents with smiles and candy during the annual Christmas parade. Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett and his entourage waved at the crowd. Crowds of people…

Photo Essay by Mackenzie Morgan The “Real Black Santa” comes to City of Stonecrest From left to right: Stonecrest Parks and Recreation staff Tamieka Porter, Sean Depalma and Sheldon Fleming pose for a picture at the Real Black Santa holiday bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Browns Mill Recreation Center in the City of Stonecrest. Santa Claus was on hand for family Christmas portraits at the Real Black Santa community event. Children eagerly await their turn to sit with St. Nick during the holiday party which featured inflatable bounce houses, a vendors market, music and…

The holiday spirit of generosity has arrived early at LifeLine Animal Project, thanks to a generous gift from Anisa Telwar Kaicker and her team at Anisa Internationa. Anisa International is supporting LifeLine with matching holiday donations for the eighth consecutive year. The organization has pledged to l match every dollar donated – up to $50,000 – through Dec. 31.  The campaign will feature some very special stories of adoption matches made possible by the donations. “We are so grateful for the continued support of Anisa and her team at Anisa International,” said Rebecca Guinn, CEO of LifeLine Animal Project.…

Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) is hosting the 18th annual Totes to Tots drive to collect backpacks and suitcases for foster children in Georgia. Donations of new backpacks, duffel bags and suitcases will be accepted at locations across the state. More than 14,000 children, from infants to teenagers, are currently in the foster care system in Georgia. Many of these children shuffle their belongings in garbage bags when they are removed from their homes. Totes to Tots aims to change that by giving every foster child in Georgia a new backpack, duffel bag or suitcase. Since Totes to Tots launched in 2003,…

The City of Stonecrest held its inaugural Christmas tree lighting at City Hall on Dec. 12. Dozens of citizens joined Mayor Jason Lary and the city’s First Lady, Debbie Lary, as well as other city officials for the historic event., which included holiday music and refreshments. The celebration marked a three-year milestone. Mayor Lary is considered the founder of the city, which has 54,000 residents. Lary spent years pushing for the city’s incorporation. Citizens voted to incorporate Stonecrest as a municipality in 2016.

The Stonecrest City Council approved its general operating budget for Fiscal Year 2020 at its Dec. 9 meeting in a 5-0 vote. In a separate 4-1 vote, the council approved the contract with Jacobs, (formerly CH2M), which was hired to manage the city’s administration. Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble cast the dissenting vote, after raising several questions about a 1.4 percent increase in the lump-sum contract for services with Jacobs. The council passed a proposed budget of $10,460,900, a 7.2 percent increase over the 2019 budget of $9, 704,911. The budget includes an average 3 percent cost-of-living raise for staff employees and…