FEBRUARY 13, 2016
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FEBRUARY 13, 2016
Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Black History Parade set
H
ead to downtown Atlanta for one of the largest Black History Month parades in the country, along with a daylong celebration that will feature music, speakers and vendors. The Sweet Auburn Area Coalition is hosting the event on Feb. 25, from noon until 6 p.m. in the Sweet Auburn Avenue District. The parade will begin 1 p.m. at the corner of Jackson Street and Auburn Avenue and end at Woodruff Park, 94 Peachtree St. A host of marching bands, entertainers, dignitaries, civic groups, unions and corporate groups from throughout the metro Atlanta area are expected to participate. Additional festivities include live entertainment, a voter registration drive, public speakers, and family-oriented programs in the Sweet Auburn District. Auburn Avenue is also home of the late Dr. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, The King Center and many other AfricanAmerican historic sites and attractions. For more information, call 1-866-5515666 or visit www.blackhistorymonthparade. com.
SALUTING LIVING LEGENDS REV. JOSEPH E. LOWERY
Dean of the Civil Rights Movement Formed the SCLC with Dr. M. L. King, Jr.
The Clerk of Superior Court
Celebrates Black History Month
AMBASSADOR ANDREW YOUNG
Former Atlanta Mayor, U.S. Congressman
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” -Carter G. Woodson
CEO Richard Oden
Rockdale’s County’s First Black BOC Chairman
U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS
One of the “Big Six” Civil Rights Leaders
We Honor Those Who Dared To Dream
DEBRA DEBERRY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT DEKALB COUNTY
Please join me in celebrating Black History Month as we recognize the critical role of African-Americans in U.S. history and the role of Carter G. Woodson’s vision that began 100 years ago.
FEBRUARY 13, 2016
Rockdale NAACP to present Black History & Heritage Celebration The Rockdale County Branch of the NAACP will present the 2016 Black History & Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers. “Black History month is a time for celebrating the many accomplishments of Black Americans. This is our first time organizing a program of this magnitude,” said Gary King, Rockdale County NAACP President. “We are partnering with local churches to bring everyone to the Rockdale Gary King Auditorium to witness the extraordinary talent Rockdale County NAACP President that will grace our stage. We appreciate our Black History and Heritage Celebration committee that is chaired by Dwight Wicks.” The mistress of ceremonies will be veteran radio professional and Georgia Lottery host Carol Blackmon. Spoken word will be performed by Tony, Emmy and Peabody Award winner Georgia Me and youth leader, Chelsea Williams. You will experience African culture in motion with the Uhuru Dancers. Nita Lee will perform a monologue and gospel singer Monica Hoskins will give a spirit-filled performance. “We have many other great talents in store for our audience,” said King. Tickets for the event are $10. Call Jackie Johnson-Dickson at 410-9601662 or email Lyn Gibson at clgibson@bellsouth.net.
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Our Heritage Is Rich, Our Nation Is Stronger
W.E.B. DuBois Civil Rights Activist, Orator
RJ Hadley Rockdale County’s First Black Tax Commissioner
Frederick Douglass Abolitionist Leader
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Activist Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
Jackie Robinson First Black MLB Player
We Celebrate Our Inspiration
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FEBRUARY 13, 2016
Teresa Totten, assistant director Nancy Guinn Library, stands beside the exhibit.
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
Nancy Guinn Library to host “One Day in January” photo exhibit The Conyers-Rockdale Library System is hosting a photo exhibit in celebration of Black History Month titled “One Day in January.” The exhibit will be displayed throughout the month of February during regular business hours at the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864
Green St., Conyers. This photo exhibit chronicles the first celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Jan. 15, 1969, nine months after his death. This celebration received little national attention, but was attended by many notables in the
Civil Rights Movement including Ralph David Abernathy, Andrew Young, Harry Belafonte, Rosa Parks and many others. Horace Henry, a young college student attending Clarke College, just happened to have his camera that day and took over 40 black and white photographs. The “One Day In January” photo
exhibit is now part of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Henry will discuss the exhibit on Feb. 20, 2 to 3:30 p.m. and sign copies of his book. For more information, contact the library at 770-388-5040, ext. 118, or visit www.conyersrockdalelibrary.org.
Celebrating Law Trailblazers HONORABLE PHINIA ATEN Rockdale Chief Magistrate Judge Rockdale’s First Black Female Judge
Hon. Leah Ward Sears First Black Female Georgia Justice
Elected November 6, 2012 Serving 2013 - Present
Hon. Robert Benham First Black Male Georgia Justice
Hon. Thurgood Marshall First Black U. S. Justice
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
_ The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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A Screening and Discussion of Selma The Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) and the Graduate Association of Student Psychologists (GASP) will host a screening and discussion of the film, “Selma,” on Feb. 23, 5:30 p.m. at the Cinefest Film Theatre. The film documents the march from Selma to Montgomery lead by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. A discussion will follow the film. The event is free and open to all Georgia State University students. All students attending the event must RSVP by using Eventbrite. A voucher for a small popcorn and drink for the first 50 guests who RSVP will be provided. A scene from the movie “Selma”
The Past, Present and Future of African American communities The Metropolitan Library, in collaboration with the Auburn Avenue Research Library, will host a community discussion “The Past, Present and Future of African American communities,” on Feb. 28, 3 p.m., 1332 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta. The discussion will be facilitated by Richard Moriba Kelsey, highlighting the collaborative work of scholars, educators and community residents in preserving the collective memory and communal history of black communities and neighborhoods in Atlanta. For more information, call 404613-5722.
How do we talk about race? How can we have productive conversations about differences? Please join a panel discussion on “How Do We Talk About Race in the 21st Century?” on Feb. 27, 12 p.m., at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. The conversation will be presented by True Colors Theater. Panelists include State Rep. Stacey Abrams and Doug Ammar, executive director of the Georgia Justice Project and other established and emerging voices in the community. David Vigilante, senior vice president of Legal for CNN, will serve as moderator. The free program is open to the public. For more information, visit the True Colors Theater website at www. truecolorstheatre.org.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2016
DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson to host Black History Forum: Does Race Really Matter? Join DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson as he presents a Black History Month forum, “Does Race Really Matter?” on Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Dr. Leroy Davis, an African American & American History Professor from Emory University, will moderate the forum. The community is invited to engage in meaningful discussion. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free.
Commissioner Larry Johnson
Emerging Voices Family Storytelling: Black History and Folk Tales Callanwolde Fine Arts Center will showcase some of the South’s best stories and storytellers during its Black History and Folktales on Feb. 18, 7 p.m., 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. The program, which celebrates history and culture through storytelling, is open to all ages. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children general admission. Callanwolde members receive half off admission. Tickets are sold at the door, cash or check only. For more information, call 404-872-5338 or visit www.callanwolde.org.
Genealogy Basics 101: How to Get Started Are you interested in tracing your family’s history? Have you started but aren’t sure what to do next? Join members of the Wesley Chapel Genealogy Group who will teach you how to get started. The workshop will be held Feb. 20, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Feel free to bring your laptop. This is a hands-on session where you can do research on the spot. The session is open to the first 12 participants. To register, please visit the branch or call 404-370.3070.
As the Sheriff of Rockdale County, I ask the citizens to stand with me and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office in celebrating Black History month. This is a celebration to recognize the many accomplishments and achievements of black Americans in history.
Sheriff Eric J. Levett
We thank the people of yesterday and today for taking us to where we are and to the young people who will lead us in the future. I will always require my staff to treat citizens fairly and without prejudice.
Book signing and discussion with Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. Meet the descendant of two of America’s most important history makers. Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., the great, great, great grandson of Frederick Douglass and great, great grandson of Booker T. Washington, will discuss his lineage and sign copies of his book on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Herndon Home Museum, 587 University Place N.W., Atlanta Morris, president of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI), and his mother Nettie Washington Douglass, who united the two famous bloodlines, will greet those who attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Morris’ book and have it signed by him and his mother. The event is free. For more information, call 404-581-9813.
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“Nest of Eagles” Tuskegee Airmen Exhibition The Aviation Community Cultural Center, 3900 Aviation Circle NW, Atlanta, celebrates the legacy of the illustrious Tuskegee Airmen with weekend events to celebrate their historical significance and the closing reception of Nest of Eagles. The weekend begins on Friday, Feb. 26, with a screening of the HBO film, Tuskegee Airmen. After the film, audiences will enjoy a panel discussion moderated by historian Zellie Rainy Orr. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. The celebration continues on Saturday, Feb. 27, with the closing reception for the Nest of Eagles exhibition and the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Atlanta Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. Conductor John Peek will set the mood with his vintage Big Band concert. The reception and concert will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. The free events are presented by the Fulton County Department of Arts and Culture. Seating is limited. For more information, visit www.fultonarts.org or call 404-612-8600.
Roots of Friendship: African Americans and Jews in Atlanta, 1900 - 1950 The DeKalb History Center will present a symposium entitled Roots of Friendship: African Americans and Jews in Atlanta, 19001950. The symposium will be held March 5, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur (Second Floor). Roots of Friendship is a history symposium featuring author Melissa Fay Greene and other scholars who will explore the unique relationships that formed between the African American and Jewish communities in Atlanta during the first half of the twentieth century. Topics include the immigration of European Jews to Atlanta, the Leo Frank case, Jewish and African American experiences after World
Pop-Up 5K to celebrate movie of Olympic icon Jesse Owens
War II, the interdependence, empathy and understanding among these communities, and more. Registration includes a catered buffet lunch. Moderators for the program are Dr. Charissa Threat (Spelman College) and Dr. Jelani Favors (Clayton State University). Other speakers and panelists include: Sandy Berman, Danielle Wiggins, David Goldwasser, and Hershel Greenblat. Advance tickets are $35/$45 (discount for DHC members – prices increase March 1). For more information, contact Jenny Goldemund: 404-373-1088, ext. 20.
Historic Oakland Cemetery offers guided tours Throughout February, the Historic Oakland Foundation and City of Atlanta will host guided African American History walking tours at Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave., S.E., Atlanta. The tours are free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. Stops along the tour include the final resting place of some of Atlanta’s black history pioneers, including Carrie Steele Logan, founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for African American children; William Finch, one of Atlanta’s first African American city councilmen; and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African American mayor.For more information, contact Marcy Breffle at mbreffle@oaklandcemetery.com or 404-688-2107 ext. 16.
Black Men Run and Time Bandit Racing will host the I Am #LikeJesse Pop-Up 5K to celebrate the release of the upcoming Focus Features film, “RACE,” the incredible true story of Olympic icon, Jesse Owens, which opens in theaters on Feb.19. The free 5K event will take place in historic Grant Park on Saturday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m., and is open to all runners/walkers who will have the option to be chip timed. All finishers will take home an exclusive “Race” t-shirt for completing the race. Special celebrity guests have been invited to participate. WHERE: Grant Park 840 Cherokee Ave., SE Atlanta, GA 30312 WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 7:30 A.M. Registration/Check-In 8:45 A.M. Warm-Up 9:00 A.M. Race begins for chip timed participants 9:05 A.M. Race begins for non-chip timed participants Race ends and trophies awarded to top male and female runners at 10 a.m.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2016