Copyright © 2010 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
May 22, 2010
Volume 16, Number 4
www.crossroadsnews.com
NAACP state convention coming to Stonecrest By Carla Parker
More than 1,500 NAACP delegates and supporters are expected to descend on the Stonecrest area in October for the civil rights group’s 68th annual State Convention and Civil Rights Conference. The DeKalb NAACP is hosting the Oct. 6-10 convention, which will be held at the four Stonecrest hotels – Hyatt Place, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Comfort Suites, and the Hilton Garden Inn – in Lithonia. The hotels are located next to the 1.3 million square foot Mall at Stonecrest, which has shopping, dining and an AMC cinema. They also offer easy access to the Arabia Mountain trails. Organizers say the convention will be Stonecrest’s first major convention. Yvonne Hawks, president of the DeKalb NAACP, said the convention will be a major economic boost. “We’re hoping this convention will be the kickoff for future conventions in the mall area,” she said at a May 20 press conference announcing the chapter’s selection as host.
Bettye Davis, executive director of One DeKalb, who represented DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis at the press conference, said Ellis is excited about the convention which will bring additional revenue to the county. “This is our stimulus package,” she said. “Bringing this statewide convention to DeKalb County and to this area is our stimulus package and we appreciate it.” During the fall convention, delegates will evaluate health, education, criminal justice, and veterans issues. Dubose said there are more than 700,000 veterans in Georgia. “We want to make veterans the centerpiece of this civil rights issue,” he said. With the this being an election year, the NAACP will host Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews forums to discuss the political empower movement. NAACP’s Edward Dubose and Yvonne Hawks at the press “We are more prepared than ever to help in the outcome conference announcing that DeKalb is hosting fall convention. of the election,” Dubose said. The convention will include a morning run/walk that Edward O. DuBose, president of the Georgia Confer- will focus on health, and a golf tournament. It is open to ence of the NAACP, said they are expecting more than 500 the public. delegates from across Georgia and more than 1,000 visitors For registration and more information, call the Convento attend the convention. tion Planning Committee at 678-476-1428.
Graduation season in full swing this week
Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Nearly 6,000 DeKalb seniors will be getting diplomas this weekend, capping 12 years of education. Many will head off to colleges and universities in the fall to pursue further studies. Above, Martin Luther King, Jr. High graduates wait to enter The Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur on May 16 for their Pre-Commencement program. On Saturday, they will don cap and gown again for their graduation ceremony at the Georgia Dome. For a look at the graduating class’ top students and other news, and their upcoming graduation ceremonies, see Section B inside.