Author: On Common Ground News

Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers honored Elisabeth Williams-Omilami, CEO  of Hosea Helps, during the church’s Black History Month program on Feb. 24. Springfield presented Omilami with the Icon Award, which recognizes living legends who have made exceptional contributions toward African American excellence and advancement. Omilami was honored for her contribution in the area of Human Rights and Humanitarianism. Hosea Helps (formerly Hosea Feeds the Hungry and Homeless) was founded by her parents, civil rights icons the Rev. Hosea and Juanita T. Williams. Since 2000, the year her father passed, Williams-Omilami has operated Hosea Helps along with her husband, Afemo Omilami.…

DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department announces the recent hiring of Jonah McDonald as the county’s parks naturalist. McDonald will provide programming for the public, serve as a safety presence on the trails and assist with the maintenance of greenspace. Programming will be designed for all ages and will focus on environmental education, history, storytelling and physical fitness. McDonald has managed outdoors programs at several metro-area independent schools, founded Sure Foot Adventures and co-founded the Peacebuilders Camp. He is also a professional storyteller who has been featured on WABE 90.1 FM and has performed at elementary and middle schools across…

Notaries Public have long been relied upon to deter fraud. The Notary process dates back to ancient Rome and continues to be a staple of personal, government and business transactions as a means to certify that the signatures are valid. Notarized documents are required for a wide range of legal filings and financial transactions. The proper performance of notarial duties is essential to the effective operations of government and commerce. As a Notary, you are exercising the sovereign authority delegated to you by the State of Georgia. Why do we need Notaries? To deter document fraud To ensure the integrity…

  Transforming Faith Church will host a child abuse prevention workshop on Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Southwest DeKalb High School, 2863 Kelly Chapel Road(Performing Arts Building) The workshop is being held in light of the most heightened conversation around the topic of child sexual abuse. Transforming Faith Church is hosting an interactive and practical training focused on helping parents, educators, ministry leaders and anyone who loves children learn the strategies to prevent and respond to abuse in our community. “We don’t want to simply respond to the needs of our children after the abuse, we…

Local students and their parents are invited to attend the upcoming Probe College Fair featuring recruiters from more than 50 colleges and universities from across the country. The fair will be held March 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Georgia State University’s Perimeter Campus, 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur. College recruiters will be on site to discuss admissions, financial aid, student life, and other issues. DCSD students will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives from across the country. College recruiters will be on site to discuss concerns involving admissions, financial aid, student life, and more. There is no…

A winning ticket worth $50,000 was sold in Covington for Georgia’s Feb. 23 Powerball drawing. Winning numbers for the drawing were: 4-6-14-20-32 and the Powerball was 13. The winning ticket was purchased at Potts Store, located at 15524 Highway 36. The winner claimed the prize on Tuesday. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot has rolled to an estimated $322 million to a single annuity winner. The Powerball jackpot has grown since Dec. 29 and has rolled 17 times. Powerball offers two jackpot payment options: the $322 million jackpot prize paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments; or the cash option, which is…

Today, Fair Fight Action submitted over 200 signed declarations from Georgia voters who faced burdens when attempting to cast their ballots during the 2018 General Election and December runoff to opposing counsel and sent summaries to the court, the organization said in a news release. “Today, Fair Fight Action releases our first wave of sworn statements by Georgia voters detailing the many forms of voter suppression. These declarations highlight the depth and reach of voter suppression in Georgia,” said Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight. “Georgians, particularly Georgians of color, faced a myriad of issues: They were turned away without…

The Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program, Inc. and its partners will host “Let’s Talk: Sex Trafficking, HIV, and Healthcare” on Thursday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Stonecrest Library Auditorium,  3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The event will feature DeKalb elected officials, prosecutors, sororities and concerned citizens. Speakers include: Gilead Science, Ed Duda and Saving Our Children And Families, Inc. Dequanda Sanders. Panelist will include: Bob Rodgers-Minor, Sex Trafficking; Adriane Brown, Sex Trafficking; Shante Miller-Regional HIV Educator; Harralyn Rawls, Sex Trafficking survivor; Kim Moon,HIV survivor; William Francis-HIV Survivor, Cynthia Allen-HIV Survivor. Moderator: Diamond Lewis, executive producer, DeKalb County Television Host: Deborah…

“As President of Morehouse College, I would like to congratulate Spike Lee on his historic Oscar win,” said Dr. David A. Thomas. “Spike is an outstanding Morehouse Man. His collective work has touched millions of movie audiences around the world. His expertise as a filmmaker and storyteller uplifts the progression of black men and black culture at a global level. We are humbled each time he returns to his alma mater to reconnect with alumni and students who recognize his status as a living legend. We are educating men of Morehouse to follow in his footsteps.”

The Rockdale Career Academy’s 9th annual RUN RCA 5K/1-Mile Run will be held on Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. – noon. The annual tradition raises funds to help RCA students participate in career pathway-related competitions and real-world projects. The course, which tours nearby industries, starts and ends at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. The moderate terrain is family-friendly, stroller-friendly and a great way to achieve a great course time. This year’s race also involves a professional challenge between local first responders participating in the race.  Free health screenings by RCA healthcare pathway students, snacks, and a fun warm-up…