CrossRoadsNews, February 20, 2016

SCENE

BLACK HISTORY

Fairy tale celebration

National park tributes

A poignant saga of love, hope, life and death will be told when “Once on This Island” comes to Decatur High. A6

Seven national parks are highlighting pivotal roles that AfricanAmericans have played in the history of the United States. B1

Put Litter in Its Place Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful

EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

February 20, 2016

Volume 21, Number 43

www.crossroadsnews.com

Thurmond kicks off campaign for DeKalb CEO with rally

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Former DeKalb School Superintendent Michael Thurmond is kicking off his campaign for DeKalb CEO with a rally on Feb. 20.

Thurmond, who announced his run for the county’s top office on Feb. 16, is hosting the rally from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Comfort Suites in Tucker. He said he made the decision to seek the office after much delibera- Michael Thurmond tion and prayer with his family, friends and a broad cross section of DeKalb residents.

“I have decided to offer myself again to

serve the citizens of DeKalb,” he said Tuesday.

“We need to restore confidence in DeKalb County government, and I trust my candidacy will be a step forward in uniting and strengthening our county.”

Supporters had urged Thurmond, who steadied the DeKalb School System during its most recent turbulent past, to run for the office. Thurmond, a lawyer, author and college professor, was DeKalb Schools superintendent from February 2013 to June 2015.

In two-and-a-half years, he stabilized the district amid a crisis of leadership and potential loss of accreditation. He is credited with restoring the confidence of parents and taxpayers and putting the district on a solid path to full accreditation and financial solvency.

Thurmond helped cut the district’s legal fees, eliminated furlough days for teachers, and established a $10.25-an-hour minimum wage. He also set aside $10 million to reestablish a pretax employee contribution retirement program, awarded cost-of-living increases, and set aside $500,000 for a boardapproved district curriculum – something the district has not had in 15 years.

Thurmond, who lives in Stone Mountain, is a former Georgia labor commissioner, state representative, director of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, and candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Qualifying for the May 24 primary election is March 7-11.

Interim CEO Lee May, who has been in the office since 2013, says he will serve until

Dec. 31 when CEO Burrell Ellis’ term ends.

May was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to replace Ellis, who is serving a federal prison sentence for corruption. May bowed out of the CEO race and says he is quitting politics for the ministry.

Connie Stokes, a former state senator and District 7 commissioner, and retired MARTA employee Calvin Sims have announced a run for the office. Sims was a candidate for CEO in 2004 and Commission District 4 in 2008.

Retired businessman Jack Lovelace, who has run for CEO, District 3 commissioner and tax commissioner, and Joe Bembry, who has run multiple times for state representative, CEO, and the Board of Commissioners, also say they will seek the office.

Sanders woos millennials, minorities in Atlanta College, prisons, minimum-wage reforms resonate

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders brought his “Feel the Bern” campaign to Morehouse College on Feb. 16.

By Ken Watts

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders told a rally of nearly 5,000 cheering supporters at Morehouse College on Feb. 16 that if he is elected he will work to end mandatory minimum sentencing.

The promise was just one on a long list of proposed reforms the Democratic U.S. senator from Vermont pledged as part of his outreach to African-American voters, especially millennials, ahead of Super Tuesday on March 1 when Georgia and six other Southern states will hold primaries.

Sanders is in a tight race for the Democratic nomination with former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton.

Sanders told the racially mixed crowd of students from colleges including Morehouse, Spelman, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Alabama State and Tuskegee that too often when charges are made against an individual, judges have no sentencing option because of mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

“We have got to do away with that,” he said to roars of “Bernie, Bernie!”

The sentencing pledge was a swipe at Clinton for the tough anti-crime legislation her husband, former President Bill Clinton, pushed through Congress in 1994 during his administration.

Critics say the sentencing guidelines led to a disproportionately high rate of incarceration of African-Americans for drug possession and other petty crimes.

Still Hillary Clinton has a sizable lead in the polls among African-American voters of all ages. A Landmark/Rosetta Stone poll released Feb. 5 shows of 600 likely Georgia Democratic voters, 77 percent of the African-

Ken Watts / CrossRoadsNews

American vote would go to Clinton and just 11 percent to Sanders.

The data did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd at the Morehouse rally, which was part of Sanders’ “Feel the Bern” tour of historically black colleges and universities.

The tour hits on his core issues of income inequality, social justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. He told the crowd that he is ready to fight with it.

“Together we are going to end the horrors that we have seen time and time again on TV of unarmed African-Americans being shot and killed by police officers,” Sanders said.

On income inequality, he called for an economy that works for all and not just the

top 1 percent.

“No one who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty,” Sanders said. “We should have a $15-an-hour minimum wage that would allow people to support themselves and their families.”

He said higher education is a right – not a privilege, and that it is crucial to the nation’s survival. He wants to make college tuition free and help graduates already burdened by school loan debt.

“We should make it possible for them to refinance their loans at the lowest possible rate,” Sanders said.

Morehouse senior Jerrel Lloyd, who is editor of the campus newspaper Maroon Tiger, called Sanders’ speech “insightful” but

short on specifics.

“I came away with a good grasp of his approach and direction on higher ed assistance, but I wanted to know how HBCUs fit into his plans, especially schools like Morehouse that are priJerrel Lloyd vately funded,” he said.

Other students said they are thrilled to hear social justice issues discussed extensively in a presidential campaign.

Georgia State University student Ayam Warsama said that she was impressed.

Please see RALLY, page A4

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CrossRoadsNews

Community

February 20, 2016

Twenty candidates filed reports with total contributions of more than $1 million.

Judges, DA candidates amassing hefty war chests for primary

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Qualifying for the May 24 primary election is two weeks away, but some candidates for the DeKalb bench have already amassed hefty war chests for the race.

Campaign contribution disclosures filed through Jan. 31 with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission by candidates who declared early for the 2016 election show robust early JP Boulee support for some judges.

Twenty candidates filed reports with total contributions of more than $1 million. They reported cash on hand of $790,846 as they prepare to go into the height of the campaign season.

D e K a l b Su p e r i o r Sherry Boston Court Judge JP Boulee led the pack, collecting $243,000 from nearly 600 donors. He reported having $195,000 cash on hand.

Boulee, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Nathan Deal in May 2015, said he is humbled by both the financial and Robert James community support that he has received during his short time on the bench.

“I would like to thank all of the members of the delegation, especially former state Representative Tonya Anderson and Delegation

Campaign contribution reports For the Jan. 31, 2016 reporting period for Campaign Contributions, 20 candidates for the May 24 primary election reported donations of $1,049,703, and war chests of $790,846 for the campaign season that goes into high gear after the March 7 to 11 qualifying period.

Candidate Office Being Sought Contributions Cash on Hand JP Boulee (I) Superior Court Judge $243,215 $195,437 Sherry Boston District Attorney $157,795 $100,968 Robert James (I) District Attorney $130,996 $ 97,701 Jeffrey Mann (I) Sheriff $ 68,407 $ 26,158 Dax Lopez (I) State Court Judge $ 60,384 $ 53,396 Mike Jacobs (I) State Court Judge $ 52,118 $ 41,661 Nicole Marchand Golden Solicitor General $ 50,462 $ 49,220 Jeryl Rosh (I) Probate Court Judge $ 49,164 $ 49,139 Angela Brown Superior Court Judge $43,052 $ 18,252 Donna Coleman Stribling Solicitor General $42,697 $ 39,285 Stephen Bradshaw Commission District 4 $ 32,135 $ 27,780 Gail Flake (I) Superior Court Judge $ 26,632 $ 23,678 Shondeana Crews Morris (I) State Court Associate Judge $ 25,126 $ 22,516 Keisha Story (I) State Court Associate Judge $ 23,233 $ 20,138 Lance Hammond Commission District 4 $ 16,634 $ 2,051 Ronald Ramsey (I) Associate State Court Judge $ 10,900 $ 10, 296 Roderick Bridges State Court Judge $ 8,480 $ 7,389 Irvin Johnson Tax Commissioner $ 4,600 $ 3,566 Michael Williams Sheriff $ 2,425 $ 2,091 Mereda Davis Johnson (I) Commission District 5 $1,248 $ 124 Total $1,049,703 $790,846 (I) = Incumbent Source: Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission & DeKalb Registrations & Elections

Chair Representative Howard Mosby along with the commissioners and elected officials who have all signed their name to my campaign,” he said.

Attorney Stephone Johnson, who is opposing Boulee, had not filed any disclosures

through Feb. 18. Tthe Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission website shows a “no report filed” status for him.

Filling out the top four contribution getters were Solicitor General Sherry Boston and incumbent District Attorney Robert

James, who are in a heated race to be the county’s next district attorney and Sheriff Jeffrey Mann.

Boston, who is challenging James, raised $157,795 from nearly 400 donors. She reported having $100,968 on hand.

James raised $130,996 and reported having $97,701 on hand.

Boston said she is excited at the wide support she has received.

“To outraise my opponent, who has been eligible to raise for this position for the last four years, is simply amazing to me,” she said. “It shows Jeffrey Mann that there is an urgent desire for change.”

Mann outraised opponent Michael Williams. He reported donations of $68, 407 to WIlliams’s $2,425. The other announced candidates for sheriff had not filed disclosures through Feb. 18.

State Court Judge Dax Lopez, who is facing opposition from former Recorders Court Judge Roderick Bridges, collected $60,384 in campaign donations and had $53,396 cash on hand. Bridges reported raising $8,480 and having cash on hand of $7,389.

In the race to replace Boston, the DA’s Chief Assistant Nicole Marchand Golden edged Assistant DA Donna Coleman Stribling in the collection of donations.

Golden reported $50,462 to Stribling’s $42,697; and $49,220 cash on hand to her $39,285.

Former Recorders Court Judge Angela Brown, who is challenging Superior Court Judge Gail Flake, reported contributions of $43,052 to Flake’s $26,632.

She has balance of $18,252 compared to Flake’s $23,678 cash on hand.

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February 20, 2016

Community

Candidates wishing to run for both the special and general elections for tax commissioner must qualify for each.

Two tax office elections on May 24 ballot Lovelace, Bembry seeking CEO office

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Interim DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson and his challengers will be on the May 24 ballot twice – once for a special election to serve until Dec. 31 and once for the primary election for the Nov. 8 general election.

DeKalb Registration & Elections Director Maxine Daniels said on Feb. 17 that the special election is to fill the unexpired term of Tax Commissioner Claudia Lawson, who retired on Dec. 31, 2015. Her term ends on Dec. 31, 2016.

Johnson was sworn into office on Dec. 23, 2015.

The primary election is for the Nov. 8 general election to fill a new term for the tax commissioner that begins on Jan. 1, 2017.

The DeKalb Board of Elections issued a call for the special election on Feb. 18.

Qualifying is March 7-11.

On the May 24 ballot, Daniels said that each party will have their race for tax commissioner candidates.

“At the end, the special election for the unexpired term will appear,” she said.

Daniels said candidates wishing to run for both the special and general elections for tax commissioner must qualify for each. The qualifying fee for both races is $3,282.78 each.

Daniels said the candidate who wins the special election and also qualifies and wins the party primary will be listed as incumbent on the November ballot.

If there is no clear winner on election day, the runoffs for both elections will be held July 26.

Daniels said voters who opt to vote nonpartisan on election day will only have the special election on their ballot.

Scott seeking tax office

Attorney Susannah Scott kicked off her campaign for DeKalb tax commissioner on Feb. 18.

Scott, a lifelong DeKalb resident, is seeking the office that was held by her father, the late Tom Scott. Her mother, Jacqui Scott, is a former DeKalb County commissioner.

Scott, who is a contract specialist at Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management Inc., said she wants to bring a fresh perspective to the office, grounded in her extensive experience in the private Susannah Scott and nonprofit sectors.

“Bringing new voices to the leadership in DeKalb County is the first step in reinvigorating our property values and our county as a whole,” she said in a Feb. 15 statement. “I am dedicated to ensuring that the Tax Commissioner’s Office is a model of integrity for DeKalb County.”

Scott has worked at the Atlanta law firms of King & Spalding and Alston & Bird and also at the State Bar of Georgia. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, she earned a J.D. degree from Georgia State University College of Law and a Master of Laws from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

She is a 2013 graduate of Leadership DeKalb.

Saturday vote Feb. 20, more precincts The only Saturday voting for the March 1 Presidential Preference Primary takes place Feb. 20 at three early polling stations.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are vying for the Democratic nomination, and six candidates – Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and John Kasich – are seeking the Republican nomination.

Turnout has been slow since early voting started on Feb. 8. Through Feb. 17, only 3,956 people have voted countywide.

The Saturday polls will open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gallery at South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Road in Decatur; the DeKalb Registration and Elections Office, 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur; and the Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road in Tucker.

Starting Feb. 22, six more early voting precincts will open across the county. For more information, visit www.dekalbvotes.com.

Two more candidates, retired DeKalb businessman Jack Lovelace and businessman Joe Bembry, have announced that they will seek the office of DeKalb chief executive officer in the May 24 primary election.

Lovelace, a 43-year DeKalb resident, has run for office before – against Liane Levetan for the CEO office, twice for District 3 commissioner, and once for tax commissioner.

Lovelace, who lives in Gresham Park, is a Vietnam veteran and a former police officer.

He says he wants to restore professionalism and integrity in county government and make sure taxpayer funds are spent for intended purposes.

He plans to revitalize the county’s infrastructure, implement effective Jack Lovelace programs to support the county’s youth and senior citizens, and improve public safety so residents can feel safe in their homes and on the streets.

Bembry has been running for public office since 1982. He has been on the ballot 17 times – 11 times for the County Commission, twice for the state Senate, once for state representative and Joe Bembry sheriff, and twice for CEO. Bembry said he is running again to focus on the issues facing the county.

“We need somebody who is going to take on the corruption,” he said. “I am that person.”

Lovelace and Bembry bring to five the number of candidates who have already announced for the May 24 primary.

Former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond, former DeKalb Commissioner Connie Stokes and retired MARTA employee Calvin Sims also have announced for the office.

Qualifying for the May 24 primary election is March 7-11.

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Community. Family. Justice.

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Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Graphic Design Curtis Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoads­News, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

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CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

“Having a great school system is a major catalyst for attracting new parents with children and businesses.”

‘Smart growth’ should not trump our children’s needs Editor’s Note: In the Feb. 13 Forum, former DeKalb School Board Chairman Dr. Eugene Walker took the district to task for not supporting the Tax Allocation District for redevelopment of the old GM plant site in Doraville.

Retired educator Dr. Barbara M. Lee supports the district’s decision.

“How long must we wait for equity in economic development in the other part of DeKalb? We are still suffering from depressed home values that no one will address – just give us the right value for our homes and you will have instant money for the county.”

Dr. Barbara M. Lee

By Dr. Barbara M. Lee

I respect the work and legacy of Dr. Eugene Walker. However, I must oppose his opinion at this time. I understand that Dr. Walker is no longer a citizen of DeKalb County and may have missed some financial and personnel information about the DeKalb School System.

DeKalb School System recently weathered the storm of a $14 million deficit and, as a result, lost thousands of their best teachers and leaders to neighboring counties because of furlough days and salary cuts that employees endured.

These cuts along with the tax shelter annuity that replaced the Social Security program made the system’s recruitment package less desirable to attract highly qualified talented teachers to come to DeKalb.

Through the efforts of the new School Board and highly qualified new superintendent of schools, Dr. Stephen Green, changes were implemented in good faith to restore the trust of employees and the public, to be transparent as to where the money is flowing, to strengthen the team to deliver services that will build a high quality school system where students are achieving at high levels and businesses will be attracted to DeKalb.

Therefore, they did what Stephen Covey said in one of his “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”: “Put first things first.”

They did a midyear raise for teachers and school leaders in January 2016 and restored the tax shelter annuity at a lower matching level. These steps along with the changes in the organizational chart and key personnel at the

Cabinet level are evidence that our superintendent and School Board members are serious about restoring the DeKalb School System to the level of performance that we enjoyed 30 years ago.

We all know that having a great school system is a major catalyst for attracting new parents with children and businesses. Therefore, it is imperative that the superintendent and School Board have the resources they need to make this happen.

No one can predict accurately what the costs of running the system will be in 25 years, and the School Board and superintendent cannot be fiscally responsible and take on this new commitment to a Tax Allocation District and at the same time deliver the high quality school system that our citizens and children deserve.

With the aforementioned actions and uncertainty about the future, the School Board and Green made the decision that they could not fulfill the request of them to defer the majority of the $247 million required for the Doraville project.

Kudos to Green and School Board members for remaining focused and moving forward to educate our children.

However, some citizens and elected officials do not want this because they are doing all they can to bring the school system down.

As I write, we have elected officials from DeKalb threatening to use their “power” to take $56 million from the education of the 102,000 children of DeKalb because DeKalb leaders said “no” to this TAD. We teach our children in DeKalb “not to bully,” but this is a perfect

demonstration by elected officials of “bullying” when they do not get their way.

We also face DeKalb commissioners who are constantly encouraging their North DeKalb constituents to continue to form cities and to form their own school systems. Unincorporated DeKalb is already paying a higher rate of tax upward to 21 percent.

The soccer field and headquarters that we lost because three commissioners would not agree to the $22 million to fix the land was a disappointment to many soccer moms because the school district does not have adequate playing fields for a growing sport for our children.

How long must we wait for equity in economic development in the other part of DeKalb?

We are still suffering from depressed home values that no one will address – just give us the right value for our homes and you will have instant money for the county.

DeKalb is lagging in the state and the nation in the progress of the home values in South DeKalb.

There is no sound reason for this injustice. Unfortunately Dr. Walker, what happens on the North side of town does not equate to higher property values for South DeKalb.

They have enjoyed extraordinary increases in their property values while we have seen our property values of homes we built and lived in for 30 years shrink below what we paid for them. How can this happen in America?

Dr. Walker, yes, you were on the DeKalb Developmental Authority Board and I remember the “Sember

Development” fight and the accusations you endured – you wanted to do the right thing for DeKalb, not to break DeKalb up into more cities and city schools. Each of these actions would take funds away from DeKalb County and the DeKalb School System. Your motive was different from the mind-set of certain elected DeKalb officials today and I am not talking about the DeKalb School Board.

Some of our elected officials go to certain state officials to get what they want. Gov. Nathan Deal has recruited several national companies to come to Georgia. Why has he not seen fit to bring one to the underdeveloped area of DeKalb?

Since Mr. Chris Carr has an interest in DeKalb, come let us give him a tour of the great “state and national” attractions we have to offer in Southeast DeKalb. Come see our homes that are valued at half of what we paid for them 10 to 30 years ago.

We need positive growth in all parts of DeKalb. I must applaud former CEO Liane Levetan and Commissioner Robert Lanier for not overlooking the “other part of DeKalb.”

We need somebody to want to develop all of DeKalb in an equitable way. Perhaps looking at other sites for development would not require as much of a TAD if property values are restored to their real values as the schools are improving to greater achievement levels.

Interim CEO Lee May has made some strides with a couple of companies, but in Southeast DeKalb we need some of the big companies that Deal has sprinkled all over Georgia except in DeKalb County.

These companies bring thousands of jobs to the area and we would see true economic development in DeKalb other than North DeKalb.

Mr. Carr, maybe you can help us with this concern since you have expressed an interest in DeKalb.

Dr. Barbara M. Lee is a retired principal and advocate for children and a higher quality of life in DeKalb. She lives in Lithonia.

Supporters hopeful that Sanders could get a lot done RALLY,

from page

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“What stood out for me is when he said China has four times the population of the United States, but we have more people in jail,” she said. “I believe he’ll try to reduce the prison population.”

Her cousin Yasmin Warsama said she believes Sanders has the will to make his reforms reality.

“Maybe not all at once, but I think he can get a lot of it done in a four-year term,” she said.

Georgia state Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), who introduced Sanders, told the crowd that he has switched his support from Clinton to Sanders.

“As a presidential candidate,

Bernie Sanders has turned down Wall Street cash and taken on Wall Street billionaires,” he said.

“As president he will break up the big banks so they don’t create another recession that cost so many people their jobs and their homes.”

Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike of the group Run the Jewels caused a stir on social media with his comments at the rally aimed at Clinton’s candidacy.

“A uterus doesn’t qualify you to be president of the United States,” he said, quoting a comment that activist Jane Elliott recently made to him.

“You have to have policies that promote social justice. Paying

women a fair wage, making sure that minorities have jobs, ending a [expletive] war on drugs is social justice. Making sure our children can go to college is social justice.”

The rapper, whose real name is Michael Render, was attacked on social media as sexist after a reporter live-tweeted the line without the Elliott reference.

Sanders’ spokesman, Michael Briggs, said on Wednesday that Killer Mike, who has been campaigning widely for the senator, “doesn’t believe gender should be a reason to vote for or against someone.”

“That’s the point Mike was making when he quoted Jane Elliott, the internationally known educator,”

Briggs said.

“We need to get beyond the gotcha politics and get to the issues at the heart of the election.”

Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry, who endorsed Sanders on Feb. 12, said the Sanders campaign is about bringing people together and engaging millions more people in the political process to demand that government represents all the people and not just the billionaires and large corporations.

“There is now no doubt in my mind that Senator Bernie Sanders is the strongest candidate in the Democratic primary and our best chance for winning the presidency in the general election this November,” he said.

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CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

Wellness

“For an individual experiencing a potentially fatal allergic reaction, it is crucial they receive treatment immediately.”

Heart program to screen 10,000 African-American women The Emory Women’s Heart Center is seeking to improve the heart health of African-American women in metro Atlanta through its new, free cardiovascular screening program called 10,000 Women.

Screening participants and volunteers are needed to help with the project whose mission is to screen 10,000 African-American women over the next few years for hypertension to ultimately reduce stroke and heart disease.

The program will offer free cardiovascular risk screening events throughout the metro area at local churches, community centers or other venues.

EWHC was founded in 2014 as a program uniquely dedicated to the screening,

prevention and treatment of heart disease in women.

Dr. Gina Lundberg, EWHC clinical director and assistant professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, said the project is hoping residents will respond to the call for volunteers and take part in the lifesaving, grassroots project.

Lundberg founded Gina Lundberg and directed the first women’s cardiac prevention program in Georgia in 1998 and in 2007 started the Saint Joseph’s Heart Center for Women.

More sites can stock epinephrine Restaurants, entertainment venues, corporate offices, churches and shopping malls can join public and private schools as designated organizations eligible to stock and administer auto-injectable epinephrine for immediate treatment during severe allergic reactions.

Responding to an increasing number of individuals with allergies, particularly food allergies, the Georgia Department of Public Health designated the organizations as eligible in addition to schools, which already are legally authorized to maintain a supply for emergencies.

Many people who need epinephrine may not have any known history of allergy to food, bee stings, latex or other allergens. As a result, they would not have a prescription of their own, making the need for undesignated auto-injectable epinephrine critical, the department says.

Dr. Patrick O’Neal, DPH director of Health Protection, said immediate action can save lives.

“For an individual Patrick O’Neal experiencing anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, it is crucial they receive

treatment immediately,” O’Neal said in a Feb. 5 statement. “Without an injection of epinephrine, a patient might stop breathing or their heart could stop beating before EMS arrives or before the patient reaches a hospital emergency department.”

In 2013, the Georgia General Assembly authorized public and private schools to acquire and stock a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine and to authorize trained lay personnel to administer epinephrine to students experiencing an anaphylactic reaction (GA Code Section 20-2-776.2).

In 2015, it authorized DPH to expand that legislation to include private entities such as restaurants and other venues (GA Code Section 31-1-15).

The organizations must register with DPH and each is responsible for assigning individuals to administer emergency epinephrine and for coordinating training. Individuals who choose in good faith to administer or not to administer epinephrine are granted immunity from civil liability.

For more information about registering an organization or a list of organizations eligible to stock and administer autoinjectable epinephrine, visit https://dph. georgia.gov/emergency-epinephrine.

Join us for Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

techs and other clinical staff to assist during screening events. Non-clinical staff is needed to help with intake forms, answer questions and help move patients through the screening process.

Community partners include Community Unification Initiatives Inc., American Heart Association, Phenomenal Women, WomenHeart, Healthy Heart Coalition, Emory School of Nursing, Congregational Care Ministry, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Referring partners are Grady Memorial Hospital, Mercy Care and City of Refuge.

To host a screening or volunteer for an upcoming event, visit www.emoryhealthcare.org.

Airport opens breast-feeding pods Aviation General Manager Four lactation pods are now Miguel Southwell said the pods proopen for nursing mothers passing vide an intimate, private location through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta for nursing mothers at the world’s International Airport. busiest airport.

The pods designed by Mamava “Providing a safe, clean, and offer mothers an alternative to healthy environment for our cusnursing or pumping in areas not tomers is one of our top priorities,” specifically designed for that purSouthwell said in a Feb. 10 statepose.

The stations are located beyond Miguel Southwell ment. “We are constantly listening security checkpoints and can be found near to our customers and looking to improve gates T-7, B-5, D-34, and F-5. Construction the guest experience. We found there was a will soon be under way for a pre-security real need for these pods, so we took the steps nursing room in the Domestic Terminal. The necessary to put them in place throughout suites can be locked from the inside and pro- the airport.”

For more information, visit www.atlantavide bench seating, a small diaper-changing airport.com. table, and an electric outlet for pumps.

Registration open for autism walk Companies, groups, individuals, friends, family and Greek organizations are needed as sponsors, team captains and teams in the Men of Redan’s Autism Awareness Walk at Redan High in Stone Mountain.

The deadline to register is Feb. 28.

The walk and Family Fun Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 19 at the school’s track, 5247 Redan Road.

Autism spectrum disorder and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors.

To sign up for the walk or for more information, contact Bobby Frazier at Frazierbobby99@yahoo.com or 404-291-6200.

Happy Birthday Rotary

“Come on and be a part of the vision” First Afrikan Church is an Afrocentric Christian Ministry that empowers women, men, youth and children to move from membership to leadership in the church, community and the world.

Praise & Devotion Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m.

“Studies spanning several decades have shown that as many as one-third of all individuals with hypertension remain undiagnosed, and an additional one-third are diagnosed but undertreated,” Lundberg said in a Feb. 2 statement. “With the increased incidence of hypertension among AfricanAmerican women, we are focused on reaching this population. Early detection and treatment can help save lives.”

In addition to being screened for hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, each participant in the project will receive education on the risk factors and resources for follow-up care as needed.

The project, funded by Boston Scientific, needs nurse practitioners, registered nurses,

5197 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038

770-981-2601 “We are building far beyond our years.”

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Lomax

Feb. 23, 2016

ATLANTA TUSKEGEE ALUMNI CLUB presents

A TASTE OF EUROPE

April 1-11, 2016

London, England • Amsterdam, Holland • Rhineland, Germany • Lucerne, Switzerland • Paris, France

$1850pp dbl occupancy includes hotels, guided sightseeing, included meals and transportation on tour. Call for Air Pricing or Supply Your Own. Make checks payable to ATAC or use Paypal at www.atlatac.com. Full payment due at time of booking.

Do not have to be a Tuskegee Alumni to travel

Rotary Club of South DeKalb meets Wednesdays at Noon at The Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway. www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-South-Dekalb449740371791990/

Contact: Rose Merry Brock, 770-981-8651 or atacrmb@gmail.com Journeys Club Members Get 5% Discount

Put CrossRoadsNews to Work for You!

“Service Above Self” Call 404-284-1888 for Advertising Rates & Information

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CrossRoadsNews

Scene

Dove s work is known for its lyricism and beauty as well as its sense of history and political scope.

The musical “Once on This Island” is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and Rosa Guy’s “My Love, My Love.”

Musical fairy tale at Decatur High The high-energy musical “Once on This Island,” a fairy tale celebration of love, hope, life and death, is coming to the Decatur High Performing Arts Center in March.

It is presented by the school’s Drama Department and Light 74 Productions with show times at 7 p.m. on March 3-5 and at 2 p.m. on March 6.

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty comes a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and based

on the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. A Caribbean-tinged score flavors the quest by Ti Moune as she seeks to prove that love is stronger than death.

Purchase tickets online at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/once-on-this-islandtickets-20477353315, at the box office or from a cast/crew member.

The Performing Arts Center is at 310 N. McDonough St. in Decatur. For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/events/658608630945667.

Poet laureate Dove to read at Emory Former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove will present a reading on Feb. 28 at Emory’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

The event begins at 4 p.m. in the Emerson Concert Hall. It is free to attend and no tickets are Rita Dove required.

Dove served as U.S. poet laureate from 1993 to 1995, and her work is known for its lyricism and beauty as well as its sense of history and political scope. She often writes about other art forms, such as music in “So-

nata Mulattica” and dance in “American Smooth.”

Her books of poetry include “Thomas and Beulah,” which won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for poetry, and “On the Bus With Rosa Parks,” a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She has received 25 honorary doctorates, including one from Emory University in 2013.

Dove is Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia, where she has been teaching since 1989.

The Schwartz Center is at 1700 North Decatur Road in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.emory.edu.

Pretty Brown Girl Day coming up Girls 5 and up, tweens, teens and young collegiate women can register through Feb. 20 for the 2016 International Pretty Brown Girl Day Celebration at Spelman College in Atlanta.

Parents and guardians also are required to register at https://prettybrowngirl.com/tme-events/register- Myah Davie Marley Dias Rocke Jones for-our-2016-pretty-brown-girlHonorees include Marley Dias, 11, an acday-celebration. tivist for #1000BlackGirlBooks; 14-year-old The fifth annual event aspiring fashion designer Myah Davie; and takes place on Feb. 27 Rocke Jones, 16, America’s Virtuous pageant from 1 to 5 p.m. with queen and community leader. multimedia personality There also will be activities and breakout and Sporty Girls founder sessions for all ages – crafts, natural hair Rashan Ali as host. care demonstrations, black female author The theme is “Em– and middle/high school/collegiate panel power a Girl, Empower discussions such as Purity, Colorism, Youth the World” as the move- Rashan Ali ment seeks to highlight the importance of Human Trafficking, Cultivating Confidence girls in our communities having higher levels and Embracing Who You Are. Sheri and Corey Crawley, who were of education, excellence and expectancy and to encourage girls to focus on their gifts, inspired by their daughters, sparked the talents and skills that can be used to elevate movement with the creation of their product line that carried the message “Pretty Brown humanity.

Main stage events include Dream Big Girl.”

Spelman is at 350 Spelman Lane S.W. For Award honorees and recipients, guest speakers, entertainment, and highlighting excep- more information, visit https://prettybrowntional girls and women in the community. girl.com or call 1-800-514-8559.

Women’s retreat at Messiah’s House Messiah’s House Women of Excellence is presenting “A Women’s Encounter Weekend: Selah – Finding Rest for Your Soul” on Feb. 26-28 in Stone Mountain.

There will be a time of refreshing with worship, praise and adoration on Feb. 26 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

On Feb. 27 at 10 a.m., the Ministry of Healing and Restoration offers food for the

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV12815-10++ Lastosha Shelton Plaintiff Vs. Dwayne Shelton Defendant To:

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Jan. 14, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Dec. 30, 2015, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Latosha Shelton, 2190 Raven Circle, Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 14, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 19th day of Jan., 2016.

02/06, 02/13, 02/20, 02/27

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1396-7++ Crescinta Engene-Campbell Plaintiff Vs. Trevor A. Campbell Defendant To: Trevor A. Campbell 741 Corundam Ct. Stone Mountain, GA 30083

By Order of the Court for service by

publication dated Jan. 25, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 08, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Crescintia Eugene-Campbell, 741 Corundan, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 25, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 25th day of Jan., 2016.

02/06, 02/13, 02/20, 02/27

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1748-9++ Maria Guadalyse Orozco-Carmona Plaintiff Vs. Omar Urbano Ortiz Defendant To:

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Jan. 28, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 25, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Declaration of Custody. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Rebecca Miller/Atlanta Legal Aid, 246 Sycamore St., Suite 120, Decatur, GA 30030.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 28, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Mark Anthony Scott, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 28th day of Jan., 2016.

02/13, 02/20, 02/27, 03/05

Notice of Petition to Change Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++ 16CV1994-3++ Jon Jorim Smith filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on Jan. 27, 2016 to change name from: Jon Jorim Thomas to Jon Jorim Smith. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Feb. 01, 2016 Name: Jon Smith 206 N. Claredon Ave. Avondale Estates, GA 30002 (619) 241-9584 02/13, 02/20, 02/27, 03/05

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1746-1++ Alexia Williams Plaintiff Vs. Andre Williams Defendant To: Andre Williams Intown Suite Forest Park, GA

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Jan. 27, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 25, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Alexia Williams, 5266 Mainstreet Park Dr.,

soul and includes a coffee bar, prizes and a gift for every woman.

The free three-day event culminates in a worship celebration with the ministry of Sherrie-Lynn Lilley at 11 a.m. on Feb. 28.

Messiah’s House Assembly of God Church is at 1683 S. Hairston Road. For more information, call the Rev. Hilary Findley at 770-981-4136.

++16CV1714-3++ Deshoncia A. Lane Plaintiff Vs. Denzel L. Lewis Defendant To: Denzel L. Lewis 3841 Kensington Rd., I-76 Decatur, GA 30032

Legal Notices 01/30, 02/06, 02/13, 02/20

February 20, 2016

Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 27, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 1st day of Feb., 2016 02/13, 02/20, 02/27, 03/05

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1745-10++ Honorlynn S. Macklin Plaintiff Vs. Eugene D. Macklin Defendant To: Eugene D. Macklin 101-14 Pleasant Court Newport News, VA 23602

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Jan. 28, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 25, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Honorlynn Macklin, 1736 A Salem Woods Dr., Conyers, GA 30013.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 28, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 1st day of Feb., 2016 02/13, 02/20, 02/27, 03/05

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number:

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Feb. 01, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 27, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce w/minor child. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Deshoncia Lane, 3841 Kensington Rd., I165, Decatur, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Feb. 01, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 2nd day of Feb., 2016 02/13, 02/20, 02/27, 03/05

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1757-3++ Tenisha Harris Plaintiff Vs. Edward P. Harris Defendant To: Edward P. Harris 575 Aberdeen Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Feb. 01, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 26, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Tenisha Harris, 575 Aberdeen Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Feb. 01, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 2nd day of Feb., 2016 02/20, 02/27, 03/05, 03/12

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV1365-5++ Shawandra Pittman Hill Plaintiff Vs. Robert W. Hill, III Defendant To: Robert W. Hill, III 3824 Brown Dr. Decatur, GA 30034

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Jan. 28, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Jan. 15, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Shawandra Pittman Hill, 3824 Brown Dr., Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jan. 28, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Gregory Adams, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 28th day of Jan., 2016 02/20, 02/27, 03/05, 03/12

Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: ++15CV7265-4++ Pamela R. Schana Plaintiff Vs. Antonio E. Schana Defendant To: Antonio E. Schana 5650 Strathmore Manor Cir. Lithonia, GA 30058

By Order of the Court for service by publication dated Feb. 09, 2016 you are hereby notified that on Feb. 04, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Pamela R. Schana, 5650 Strathmore Manor Cir., Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Feb. 09, 2016.

Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 9th day of Feb., 2016

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CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

People

“A wonderful preacher and teacher, Pastor Doyle has an optimistic outlook for the future of Crawfordville Baptist Church.”

Historic church installs new pastor Elder Andrew Doyle and his wife, Charri, are the new pastor and first lady of 134year-old Crawfordville Baptist Church in Conyers.

Doyle most recently served on the ministerial staff and as minister of music at Big Miller Grove Baptist Church in Lithonia under the leadership of Bishop Miles Fowler.

Fowler preached at his Jan. 10 installation.

Doyle, an Atlanta native and son of the late pastor William T. Doyle, sings as well as plays the piano, organ, keyboards, drums and guitar. He also has served as a deacon, minister and associate pastor.

“I used to hear my father preaching in the shower all the time when I was a little boy, and I would mimic him,” said Doyle, who was preaching the Gospel by age 21.

Elder Alonia Jones said Doyle has preached to audiences nationwide and is looking forward to bringing a message of love, hope, and restoration to the body of Christ.

“A wonderful preacher and teacher, Pastor Doyle has an optimistic outlook for the future of Crawfordville Baptist Church,”

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (fuels) Airman Ty Alexander Zackery, a 2011 graduate of Lithonia High, was “Sailor of the Day” aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The Rev. Andrew Doyle and his wife, Charri, are pastor and first lady of Crawfordville Baptist.

Jones said.

Doyle said he was excited about God placing him at Crawfordville, a staple in the community for more than a century.

“I know there is much work to be done as we endeavor to build the kingdom of God on earth, and I look forward to the journey.”

The church is at 2360 Lake Rockaway Road. For more information, call 770-9228711.

Zackery named ‘Sailor of the Day’ Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Ty Alexander Zackery made “Sailor of the Day” recently on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Zackery, who hails from Decatur, is a 2011 graduate of Lithonia High.

He enlisted in the Navy in September 2014.

The “Sailor of the Day” award recognizes outstanding service.

Zackery, who is the son of Keywanna Zackery of Covington, said he was happy to recognized.

“Anything is possible with hard work and determination,” he said Feb. 10. “Never settle for less.”

notices

To My Kendrick Family Practice Patients:

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elections

DeKalb County Business Men Seek Qualified Candidates to Run for House District 85 and Senate District 42.

Call 404-975-9201 or email ita2025@gmail.com

– Janet Bivens MD

770-685-1674

Messiah’s House Assembly of God 1683 S. Hairston Road Stone Mountain, GA 30088

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WANTED

dining / restaurants

I am retiring from the practice effective March 2016. Taking care of you and your families has been an honor and a privilege.

My practice will be aligning itself with DeKalb Medical Center, and Dr. Carmen Echols, who previously worked at KFP, will be returning.

home services

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A8

CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

ONE DAY SALE

SHOP SAT, FEB. 2O 9AM-1OPM ALSO SHOP FRI, FEB. 19 9AM-1OPM HOURS MAY VARY. SEE MACYS.COM AND CLICK ON STORES FOR DETAILS

FREE SHIPPING ONLINE AT $25

VALID 2/19-2/20/2016. PLUS, FREE RETURNS. U.S. ONLY.

5O%-8O% OFF STOREWIDE EXCLUSIONS APPLY; SEE MACYS.COM/FREERETURNS

DOORBUSTERS! 9AM-2PM FRI & SAT DEALS OF THE DAY ALL DAY, BOTH DAYS! OR, USE THIS SAVINGS PASS FRIDAY OR SATURDAY UNTIL 2PM EXTRA DOLLARS OFF SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE CLOTHING & HOME ITEMS

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2O OFF

YOUR PURCHASE OF $5O OR MORE. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 2/19 ’TIL 2PM OR 2/20/16 ’TIL 2PM

CANNOT BE USED ON DOORBUSTERS OR DEALS OF THE DAY Excludes ALL: cosmetics/fragrances, Deals of the Day, Doorbusters/web busters, electrics/electronics, Everyday Values (EDV), furniture/mattresses, Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, rugs, specials, super buys, Breville, Dyson, Fitbit, French Connection for her, Frye, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Kate Spade, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, Michele watches, Nespresso, New Era, Nike on Field, OXO, Sam Edelman, Samsung watches, Shun, simplehuman, Stuart Weitzman, The North Face, Theory, Tumi, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wüsthof, athletic clothing, shoes & accessories; Dallas Cowboys merchandise, designer Impulse brands, designer jewelry, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, previous purchases, select licensed depts., services, special orders, special purchases, tech watches; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: baby gear, kids’ shoes, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Cole Haan for him, Hurley, Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA, Tommy Bahama. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 2/19 & 2/20/2016, EXCEPT AS NOTED. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible.

N6010071E.indd 1

2/8/16 3:13 PM

Black History Month February 20, 2016

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

Section B

www.crossroadsnews.com

Baranco, Thurmond to get Benham Awards for service Attorneys Juanita Powell Baranco and Michael L. Thurmond have been honored with Justice Robert Benham Awards for outstanding service to their community.

Baranco, a longtime Lithonia resident, will get the 17th Annual Justice Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award.

Thurmond, who lives in Stone Mountain, will get the 17th Annual Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Juanita Baranco Service.

They are among 12 attorneys and judges who will be recognized on Feb. 23 by the State Bar of Georgia and the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism.

The Benham Community Service Awards, Michael Thurmond established in 1998, are among the highest recognitions given by the two professional organizations. They are named for Georgia’s first African-American Supreme Court justice, Robert Benham, who hails from Cartersville. Benham is the second AfricanAmerican graduate of the University of

Benham Awards honors Georgia’s first black Justice The Benham Community Service Awards, established in 1998, are among the highest recognitions given by the State Bar of Georgia and the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism.

They are named for Georgia’s first African-American Supreme Court justice, Robert Benham. He is the second African-American graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law. The awards recognize judges and lawyers from Georgia’s 10 judicial districts who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and demonstrate the positive contributions of members of the bar beyond their legal or official work.

Georgia School of Law. The award recognizes judges and lawyers from Georgia’s 10 judicial districts who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and demonstrate the positive contributions of members of the bar beyond their legal or official work.

Baranco, a leader in Atlanta’s business community for years, is well-known for her community and public service that go beyond her practice of law and her business.

A much-sought-after inspirational speaker, mentor and role model for young women, she has made a significant impact on her community’s social, political and

ful of black-owned Mercedes dealerships.

She serves as the dealership and Smart Center Buckhead’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. Before that, she and her husband co-founded the first Baranco dealership in 1978, and she was the executive vice president, COO and legal counsel of Baranco Automotive Group that included Baranco Buick Pontiac-GMC Trucks in Lilburn, Baranco Lincoln-Mercury in Duluth, Acura of Tallahassee and Baranco Acura in Morrow.

Born in Washington, D.C., Baranco was raised in Shreveport, La., where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate degrees from Louisiana State University.

She has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1977 and is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys. Before she went into business, she was as an assistant attorney general for the state of Georgia.

In 1995, Baranco became the first African-American female chair of the Georgia Board of Regents. During her tenure, she was considered a “no-nonsense leader.” She opposed dismantling educational programs that included race and affirmative action, and

economic quality. Community service and civic-minded leadership are an integral part of her life.

Baranco and her husband and business partner, Gregory, have been married for 46 years. They are the parents of four adult children and have several grandchildren.

Baranco has served on an array of local and state government agencies; educational institutions; and museum, corporate and nonprofit boards in Atlanta and across the state.

The Barancos and former Ambassador Andrew Young opened Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead in June 2, 2003. It is one of a hand- Please see AWARDS, page B4

National parks highlight black experience Tour Civil War sites, civil rights monuments

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the events, people and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was flooded with people on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

From the oldest standing black church in the United States to the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, families can celebrate Black History at seven national parks that are highlighting the integral role of African-Americans throughout February.

The parks – Boston African American National Historic Site, the Fort Davis National Historic Site, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, George Washington Carver National Monument, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail – are featured at www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/ preserving-history-culture?utm_source=goparks&utm_ medium=email&utm_campaign=goparks2-16.

From Civil War sites to civil rights monuments, the National Park Foundation says that these parks provide an essential window into our past this month and year-round.

Boston African American National Historic Site Located in the heart of Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, the Boston African American National Historic Site is dedicated to the city’s 19th-century African-American community, which played a key role in the abolition movement.

It features 15 historic pre-Civil War structures, including the 1806 African Meeting House, the oldest standing black church in the United States.

Eastern Shore, where she was born.

Fort Davis National Historic Site Founded on the West Texas frontier in 1854, Fort Davis is one of the last remaining examples of a 19th-century U.S. Army fort. It is notable for having housed the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-black cavalry and infantry regiments.

Many of the 24 historic buildings that make up Fort Davis National Historic Site have been restored and are open for Fort Davis in West Texas is notable for having housed the Buffalo Soldiers, the all-black cavalry and infantry regiments. daily tours.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Monument This new park honors the importance of the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman (circa 1820-1913), its most famous conductor, who led countless escaped slaves

Dayton Aviation Heritage Historical Park In addition to featuring sites that celebrate Dayton, Ohio, natives Wilbur and Orville Wright, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park includes the home of accomplished African-American poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906).

The Paul Laurence Dunbar House – the first house museum commemorating an African American – is open for guided tours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

George Washington Carver Monument Missouri’s George Washington Carver National Monument preserves the boyhood home of George Washington to freedom.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monu- Carver (circa 1860-1943). In addition to the 1881 Moses ment, which opened on March 25, 2013, pays tribute to her accomplishments and preserves the landscape of Maryland’s Please see PARKS, page B2

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CrossRoadsNews

Black History

February 20, 2016

“Dr. Crumpler broke so many barriers. She needs to be honored as the American original she was.”

Nation’s first black female physician blazed trails to DeKalb

By Dr. Melody T. McCloud

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler graduated from the New England Female Medical College in 1864.

In 1883, she became the first black physician to write a medical textbook and the only female physicianauthor in the 19th century.

In the 1980s, Dr. Runette Flowers, Dr. Rogsbert Phillips and I became the first black female physicians to establish medical practices in DeKalb County for our specialties: pediatrics, general surgery and obstetricsgynecology, respectively.

Being the “first” comes with responsibility – also challenges and curiosities. Sometimes there’s even jealousy and naysayers. But the courageously committed rise above it Runette Flowers all, and any challenges we faced pale to those faced by the trailblazing physician Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler.

As the Civil War raged in 1864, Rebecca Lee marked her place in history when she became the first black female to Rogsbert Phillips graduate from medical school in the United States.

She received an M.D. degree from the New England Female Medical College, now Boston University School of Medicine, which is also my alma mater.

This month, Boston University is celebrating the life of this pioneering black woman physician with the unveiling of an exhibit in her honor. Crumpler’s story speaks to the importance of role models, courage and conquering challenges.

Raised by an aunt who provided care to the sick, an imprint was made on Crumpler.

At 21, young Rebecca moved to Massachusetts and worked for eight years as a nurse.

“There must be a seismic shift of focus from what I call ‘being busy with a whole lot of nothing’ – social media, sports, hip-hop and, yes, crime – to an emphasis on science, technology, electronics and math.”

Dr. Melody T. McCloud

2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007

www.CrossRoadsNews.com editor@CrossRoadsNews.com

The Black History Month Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews, Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Graphics Editor Curtis Parker Reporter Jennifer Ffrench Parker Copy Editor Brenda Yarbrough CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers.

The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without . the written permission of the publisher © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without written permission of the publisher.

Physicians noted her dedication, skills and intellect. Armed with their letters of recommendation, Rebecca Lee applied and was admitted to the New England Female Medical College in 1860.

She graduated from medical school, married Arthur Crumpler and worked for the Freedmen’s Bureau in Richmond, Va., which was established by Congress in 1865 to help repair Civil War-torn communities.

Crumpler provided medical care to thousands of recently freed slaves who were

routinely denied medical care by white physicians.

She endured very harsh conditions, disparaging comments and intense discrimination by most fellow physicians. Some administrators would not readily grant her hospital privileges, and many pharmacists would not honor her prescriptions. Some people wisecracked that “the M.D. behind her name stood for nothing more than ‘Mule Driver.’”

In 1869, Crumpler returned to Boston

and opened her practice.

In 1883, she blazed another trail, becoming the first black physician to write a medical textbook and the only female physician-author in the 19th century. Her book, titled “A Book of Medical Discourses in Two Parts,” is a reference on women and children’s health.

Today, blacks make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, but a 2014 report of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Diversity in Physician Workforce Facts and Figures shows that only 4 percent of the more than 834,000 physicians in the United States are black.

Given that ethnic health care disparities abound and it is mostly black and other minority physicians who provide care to underserved, underprivileged patient populations, the dearth of black physicians is palpable and problematic.

It is not that today’s black youth lack the intellect to become medical professionals, but there must be a seismic shift of focus from what I call “being busy with a whole lot of nothing” – social media, sports, hip-hop and, yes, crime – to an emphasis on science, technology, electronics and math. Visible role models are important.

As a black female who grew up as a poor, latchkey kid in a single-parent home, the odds were against me. But I had another “first” black woman: my then-pediatrician, Dr. Doris Wethers.

I also had a self-determination to rise above formidable circumstances. It is possible to overcome and to blaze new trails: In 1985, I became the first black female to establish an obstetrics and gynecology practice in DeKalb County, and only the third to do so in metro Atlanta.

Crumpler’s courage and legacy continue to inspire. In 2012, 880 black women graduated from American medical schools, compared to only 517 black males, who also lag behind Hispanic male physicians (766 graduates in 2012).

“Dr. Crumpler broke so many barriers.

She needs to be honored as the American original she was,” states Dr. Douglas Hughes, Boston University School of Medicine’s associate dean of academic affairs.

We can honor Crumpler’s legacy with new, vibrant generations of black physicians.

Her legacy deserves it, communities need it, and the nation and world need to see it. It is past time.

Dr. Melody T. McCloud is author of “Living Well: The Black Woman’s Guide to Health, Sex and Happiness.” She is affiliated with

African-Americans’ integral role displayed year round PARKS,

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Carver House, the monument includes more than 200 acres of rolling hills and forests, where Carver’s early connection with nature and agriculture took root.

When it was dedicated in 1943, it was the first national monument for an AfricanAmerican and also the first honoring a nonpresident.

Tuskegee Airmen Historic Site In the 1900s, African-Americans’ struggle for equality extended to the U.S. military, where opportunities were limited by quotas, exclusion and racial discrimination. Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site offers a tribute to the nearly 1,000 black World War II pilots who were the first to enter the Army Air Corps. Activities include museum exhibits, films, more than 20 wayside exhibits, and annual aviation events.

A new park honors the The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site pays tribute to the nearly Underground Railroad and 1,000 black World War II pilots. conductor Harriet Tubman.

voting until the 1960s. On March 7, 1965, nonviolent protesters who sought the right to vote set out across the Edmund Pettus Bridge Selma to Montgomery Historic Trail and were met by brutal violence from state Jim Crow laws prevented the vast major- troopers and the local Sheriff ’s Department ity of African-Americans in Alabama from volunteers. The attack became known as

Bloody Sunday.

The 54-mile Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail was established by Congress in 1996 to commemorate the events, people, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama.

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CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

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This month, XFINITY® X1 brings you iconic Black lms and the actors behind the characters we love — those that inspire, make

us laugh and even those we love to hate. From the many vibrant characters of Oscar® winner Whoopi Goldberg to brand new faces, join us as we discover the next “Greatest Of All Time.”

Plus, watch “For the Love,” a special 5-part video that takes a personal look at what drives Hollywood’s best and brightest stars to do what they do. Catch this series, produced by the American Black Film Festival, and more, at CelebrateBlackTV.com and with XFINITY On Demand.™

X1 will change the way you experience Black film.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. © 2016 Comcast. All rights reserved.

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Black History

CrossRoadsNews

February 20, 2016

“I hope this stamp will inspire every American to learn more about this uplifting man.”

AME Church founder Richard Allen remembered forever Richard Allen, who bought his freedom from slavery, founded the AME Church and became its first bishop, now has a Forever stamp honoring him.

The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the 39th stamp in its Black Heritage series to Allen at a Feb. 2 Black History Month ceremony at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded by Allen in Philadelphia.

More than 40,000 people petitioned the Postal Service to honor Allen, who lived from 1760 to 1831.

The Postal Service launched the Black Heritage series in 1978 with a stamp honoring abolitionist Harriet Tubman. It also honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Mary McLeod Bethune, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Hattie McDaniel, Ella Fitzgerald, John H. Johnson, Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm.

The newest stamp features Allen’s portrait from an 1876 print from the Library Compa-

ny of Philadelphia’s collection titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church.”

Its issue coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the AME Church, considered one of t he mo st important inst itut ions in African-American life, and Allen’s election and consecration as the AME Church’s first bishop.

Joshua D. Colin, Postal Service vice president for Eastern Area Operations, called Allen “a man of boundless stature, courage and determination.”

“I hope this stamp will inspire every American to learn more about this uplifting

man,” he said.

Allen was in his 20s when he purchased his freedom from slavery and went on to become one of the most important AfricanAmerican leaders of his era.

After making a name for himself as a traveling minister throughout the midAtlantic, he was asked to preach to his fellow African-Americans at a Methodist church in Philadelphia.

He quickly rose to prominence as a civic leader and co-founded an organization to help blacks in need. He rallied black Philadelphians to serve as aid workers during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic and prepared the black community to defend the city during the War of 1812.

Eager to establish an independent African-American church, Allen purchased an old blacksmith’s shop and moved it to land he owned at Philadelphia’s Sixth and Lombard streets.

Bethel Church was dedicated in 1794 and soon attracted hundreds of members,

but Allen spent years in conflict with white church leaders who sought to assert their control over the congregation.

At one point, they tried to sell the building out from under him, but Allen, a successful businessman, was able to buy it back at auction. After a campaign that included sit-ins by African-Americans and a judgment by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the congregation secured its independence.

In 1816, Allen summoned other black Methodist leaders to Philadelphia, where together they founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church and elected and consecrated Allen as its first bishop.

Today, Mother Bethel stands on the site where Allen converted the old blacksmith’s shop more than 200 years ago, and the AME Church now boasts more than 2.5 million members.

For more information, visit http://amechurch.com/bishop-richard-allen-stamp and https://about.usps.com/news/nationalreleases/2016/pr16_003.htm.

Parade celebrates heritage, culture

Panel to explore ‘The Atlanta Way’

The Greenforest Christian Academy Marching Band will join entertainers, dignitaries and celebrities and corporate, civic and nonprofit groups in the 2016 Black History Month Parade on Feb. 27 in Atlanta.

Students from the Decatur-based school will be part of the parade, which celebrates the culture, heritage, history and accomplishments of black/ African-American people in the United States and Greenforest Christian Academy’s Marching Band will take part in the worldwide.

2016 Black History Month Parade on Feb. 27 in Atlanta.

The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. from the Martin Luther King Jr. spoken word artists, speakers, and vendors National Historic Site in the historic Sweet from noon to 6 p.m.

Auburn District. It will travel east along AuThe King National Historic Site is at burn Avenue to Boulevard, south to Decatur 450 Auburn Ave. at the corner of Jackson Street, west to Peachtree Street, then north Street. For more information, email info@ on Peachtree, terminating at Woodruff Park, blackhistorymonthparade.com, visit www. where a pre-parade festival and post-parade blackhistorymonthparade.com or call 404ceremony will include history, music and 478-7820.

Stone Mountain resident and Citizens Trust Bank Chief Credit Officer Frederick Daniels will discuss CTB’s impact at “The Atlanta Way” on Feb. 22 at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

CTB, founded in Frederick Daniels 1921, is the first black-owned bank in Atlanta to become a member of the FDIC

in 1934.

The 6:30-to-8:30 p.m. discussion will explore the Atlanta community’s impact in Black History.

It includes ex-mayoral aide Clara Axam; Julius Hollis, ex-vice president of Air Atlanta, the first African-American airline; civil rights leader Lonnie King; Donata Russell Major, Herman J. Russell Foundation; and Andrea Young, Andrew Young Foundation. 11Alive’s Blayne Alexander moderates.

Visit www.civilandhumanrights.org.

AAHGS Symposium on Reconstruction Historians, archivists and education specialists will discuss the years immediately following the Civil War on Feb. 27 at the National Archives at Atlanta.

The symposium, “The Enduring Chronicle: Reconstruction and the Promise of Freedom,” takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is open to the public – register at www.aahgsatl.org.

The annual program, held in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chapter of

AAHGS, celebrates documents relating to Black History held at the archives.

Joel Walker, the archives’ education specialist, said the symposium will explore a time when the hope and promise of a better life seemed within the grasp of AfricanAmericans but turned out to be a time of uncertainty, disappointment, and betrayal that led to the oppressive era of Jim Crow.

The archives is at 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow. Visit www.archives.gov/Atlanta.

Honorees rack up accolades for community and public service AWARDS,

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the board experienced increased national pre-eminence for its sweeping reforms and innovative higher education policies.

A Georgia State University Business Hall of Famer, Baranco has made the Georgia Trend magazine’s annual list of the “100 Most Influential Georgians” numerous times.

Her business and community service awards include the Dow Jones Co. award for entrepreneurial excellence, the Trumpet Award for entrepreneurial excellence, the Atlanta Business League’s Entrepreneur of the Year, the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s DECCA Award, the YWCA’s Women of Achievement Award, and the Atlanta History Center’s “Defining Women in Atlanta Life” Award. She also has been featured in Essence Magazine as one of Atlanta’s “Women on the Move.”

In DeKalb County, Baranco supports the Scottdale Child Development Center, Project Impact DeKalb County, Partners in Education, and the Pierre Toussaint House.

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Atlanta Chapter of Links Inc. and is active in Saints Peter and Paul Church, where she sings in the choir.

Thurmond’s ‘Midas touch’ Thurmond, an attorney with the nation-

ally known civil trial practice firm Butler Wooten Cheeley & Peak LLP, is also an author, lecturer and public servant.

He is a former DeKalb Schools superintendent, Georgia labor commissioner, and director of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.

Thurmond, a sharecropper’s son from Sandy Creek in Athens-Clarke County, graduated with honors from Paine College with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religion. He earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina’s School of Law. He also has completed the Political Executives program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

For more than three decades, Thurmond, who in 1986 became the first African-American elected to the Georgia General Assembly from Clarke County since Reconstruction, has made public service to Georgians his professional priority.

Supporters call him the man with the “Midas touch” because of the successes he has had in his professional and public service life.

In the Legislature, Thurmond wrote major legislation that provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgia’s senior citizens and working families.

During his tenure at DFCS, he directed Georgia’s historic transition from welfare to

work and created the innovative Work First program, helping more than 90,000 welfaredependent Georgia families move into the work force, saving more than $100 million in tax dollars that were reinvested in child care, training and other support services.

During his three terms as Labor commissioner, Thurmond improved customer service and efficiency and transformed the state’s unemployment offices into state-ofthe-art Career Centers focused on getting jobless Georgians back to work. He also directed construction of the $20 million school for youths with disabilities at the historic Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs.

Thurmond was appointed DeKalb Schools superintendent in February 2013 when the district was facing a crisis of leadership and potential loss of accreditation.

In two-and-a-half years, he helped stabilize the school system, restored the confidence of parents and taxpayers, and put the district on a solid path to full accreditation and financial solvency.

He cut the district’s legal fees, turned a $14 million deficit into an $80 million surplus, helped increase graduation rates to 62 percent from 57 percent, eliminated furlough days for teachers, and established a $10.25 per hour minimum wage for the district.

He also set aside $10 million to reestablish a pretax employee contribution

retirement program, awarded cost-of-living increases, and set aside $500,000 for a boardapproved district curriculum – something the district has not had in 15 years.

Thurmond, who received the AthensClarke County NAACP 2000 Freedom Fund Award, was named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Georgians” in 2014.

He was inducted into the Gate City Bar Hall of Fame in 2015.

Thurmond, who writes history books, is a member of the Board of Curators of the Georgia Historical Society. He is a recipient of the Georgia Historical Society’s Lilla Hawes Award, and the Georgia Center for the Book listed his latest book – “Freedom: Georgia’s Antislavery Heritage, 1733-1865” – among the 25 Books All Georgians Should Read.

Thurmond and his wife, Zola, have a daughter, Mikaya. They are members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church West of Athens.

The State Bar of Georgia is at 104 Marietta St. N.W. in Atlanta.

The Justice Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

For more information and to register, contact Nneka Harris Daniel at nneka@ cjcpga.org or 404-225-5040.