OCG News Jan. 17, 2020

VOLUME 25, NUMBER 40

JANUARY 17, 2020

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY – MONDAY, JANUARY 20

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Community activist Josie Dean says she was blocked from having MLK parade in Conyers

Dr. Jamal Bryant hugs a grateful Dorothy Malcome, whose medical debt was paid by New Birth. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News

New Birth donation wipes out medical debt for 1,200 South DeKalb residents Dorothy Malcome fought back tears as she talked about the blessing she received in the mail from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church a few weeks ago. The letter stated that the Stonecrest, Georgia church had paid her outstanding medical debt— no strings attached.

“At first, I thought it was a hoax.

I didn’t believe it,” said Malcome. “I opened it and read it and I said, Oh, my God, these people done blessed me! And I just went around the house thanking God. I was so happy…

I’m just thankful to the New Birth family.”

Malcome, who is not a member of New Birth, recently contacted the church to personally thank Dr. Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor, for the good news she received in her mail. She said she and her husband

Dorothy Malcome

are disabled, and getting help with her medical bills was a “miracle.”

Malcome has faced several health issues including spine problems, carpal tunnel surgery in both hands, a tumor and a hernia. The former housekeeper and elevator operator said she still is in need of double knee

surgery.

Malcome isn’t the only person who received a letter from New Birth.

The church wiped out the debt of more than 1,200 South DeKalb residents, thanks to a partnership with RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based nonprofit organization. Pastor Bryant directed the relief efforts to individuals residing in the 30038 ZIP code, which includes Stonecrest and Lithonia. He said people received the help, even if they were not members of New Birth’s congregation as was the case with Malcome, who attends another South DeKalb church.

“We are blessed to be a blessing and this effort has truly help families start the New Year without the stress, worry and concern that

SEE DEBT page 7

Nine candidates qualify for DeKalb sheriff’s special election DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox is in a crowded race to keep her job as DeKalb’s first female sheriff. Nine candidates, including Maddox, put their bid in for sheriff after the qualifying period ended on Jan. 8.

Maddox, who served as the former Chief of Police for Georgia Piedmont Technical College, will join her competitors in a special election set for March 24 that will fill the unexpired term of Jeffrey Mann. The election will determine who serves the last nine months of Mann’s unexpired term, which ends in December 2020.

Mann announced his retirement last November after unsuccessfully fighting the revocation of his certification following his arrest for public indecency and obstruction in 2017. Maddox was chief deputy at the time that Mann announced his departure and was subsequently appointed as the new sheriff. Although she was sworn in on Dec. 1 as the first female sheriff, one of her opponents, Ruth Stringer, is contesting the caveat on her Facebook campaign page in a post stating: “History always reveals itself I was Sheriff in 2017 and I am now running in 2020

SEE ELECTION page 4

Melody Maddox

Adam Gardner

Antonio Johnson

Ruth Stringer

Carl Mobley

Geraldine Champion

Ted Golden

Harold Dennis

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Kyle Jones

M

artin Luther King, Jr. will not be honored with a parade in Rockdale County this year.

Community activist Josie Dean, who organized the first-ever parade to honor the civil rights leader in Rockdale, says Conyers city officials have blocked her from having the annual event that she has coordinated for the last three years.

Dean said the city is retaliating against her for being outspoken on community issues.

“It’s sad that here it is 2020 and Conyers just elected the first two blacks to the City Council and there is no parade to honor Dr. King in the City of Conyers,” said Dean.

“The city and the county didn’t want me speaking out against them for the things they were doing and they refused to issue me a permit for this year’s parade.”

Dean says she started the MLK parade on Parker Road in 2017 and successfully pushed for it to be held in Conyers on Main Street in 2018, commemorating the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination.

In 2019, however, she got into a squabble with Conyers and Rockdale officials who demanded that she pay for police officers, insurance, and the venue to host a program following the parade.

In previous years, there was a partnership between Dean and officials. Dean said that partnership, however, deteriorated when she began to speak out on a number of issues. She said holding the parade on Main Street marked a milestone for Rockdale. No parade honoring any black, she said, had ever been held on Main Street until she organized the MLK parade.

“The parade was a way to bring blacks and whites together but they are using Dr. King as a way to tear us apart,” said Dean. “We’ve gone backwards. You could see that from the swearing-in ceremony (on Jan. 8) for Conyers’ first two black women on the council: A white swore in the white councilman and a black swore in the black women.”

Mayor Vince Evans defended the city’s stance on denying Dean a special permit for the 2020 parade,

SEE DEAN page 7

PAGE 2 • JANUARY 17, 2020

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City of Atlanta, Hartsfield Airport to host exhibit remembering victims of “Atlanta Child Murders”

A

n exhibition memorializing the victims of the “Atlanta Child Murders” was unveiled during an opening reception on Jan. 16 at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. S.W. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Office of Cultural Affairs and the Atlanta Children’s Memorial Taskforce are hosting the “Atlanta Children’s Memorial Portraits” exhibition through Feb. 6 at City Hall, officials said.

In addition to selected artwork from more than 100 submissions by Atlanta visual artists who memorialized the victims of the child murders, portraits by Dwayne Mitchell, the winning artist, will be displayed in atriums at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport May 28 - July 22, 2020.

At least 28 children, adolescents and adults were slain during the series of murders that took place in Atlanta from July 1979 to May 1981.

Wayne Williams, who was 23 at the time of the last murder, was arrested, tried, and convicted of two of the adult murders and sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Police subsequently have attributed a number of the child murders to Williams, although he has not been charged in any of those cases, authorities said.

The exhibitions are the result of the Atlanta Children’s Memorial Task Force, which was established by Mayor Bottoms in 2019. The task force, comprised of mayoral appointees from the community, was charged with determining an appropriate acknowledgment of the lives cut short during the Atlanta Child Murders. The Atlanta Children’s Memorial Portraits was one of two projects determined by the task force to acknowledge the memory of the lives lost. The second project, the Atlanta Children’s Memorial Eternal Flame, is currently under review and will be installed on the grounds of Atlanta City Hall.

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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties.

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JANUARY 17, 2020 • PAGE 3

Bishop Quincy Carswell remembered as one of Atlanta’s most beloved and influential pastors Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, overseer of The Covenant Church in Decatur, is being remembered as one of Atlanta’s most beloved and influential faith leaders.

The prominent pastor passed away on Jan. 11, two days after suffering a stroke. He was 66 years old.

Public viewing will be on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 12 to 8 p.m. at The Covenant Church, 1700 Corey Blvd, Decatur.

The celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Bishop Carswell will lie in state at The Covenant Church from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and the funeral will begin at 11 a.m. at the church.

Bishop Carswell had been in ministry for more than four decades. In December, he celebrated his 44th pastoral anniversary during a special worship service at The Covenant Church. His son, Quincy Carswell, II was installed seven years ago as pastor of The Covenant Church.

Bishop Carswell was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He and his twin sister, Quitina LaJune, were born on their mother’s birthday. Their parents, the late Elijah and Othessa Carswell, had five children

strategists and leaders for the 1984 and 1988 Presidential bids of Rev. Jackson.

Bishop Carswell served on several local, regional and national boards, task forces and commissions. He was a member of the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons (Plymouth Rock #86).

The recipient of many awards, Bishop Carswell Bishop Carswell held the distinction Feb. 4, 1953-Jan. 11, 2020 and honor of being a 1995 inductee into the and the twins were the Morehouse College Board youngest of the siblings. of Distinguished Preachers.

In 1968, Carswell He also received the highly and his family moved to acclaimed Benjamin E. Providence, Rhode Island, Mays Award, given annually where he graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. in Atlanta for outstanding religious, community and Bishop Carswell went on social activism. to receive degrees from Bishop Carswell served Bethune Cookman College on several local, regional and (BA); Interdenominational national boards, task forces Theological Seminary(master and commissions. of divinity); University Bishop Carswell of California (doctor of traveled extensively. His ministry); and post graduate travels included Austria, education from Harvard Russia, Yugoslavia, Poland, University, along with Hungary, Czechoslovakia, multiple honorary degrees.

In 1982, Bishop Carswell and other European was named by the Rev. Jesse countries. He was chosen Jackson as the first president by the Association of Colleges and Universities of the Atlanta Chapter of Operation PUSH, hosting the for International and Intercultural Studies largest national convention (A.C.U.I.I.S.) to be “Scholar in PUSH history. He also served as one of the national in Residence” at the University of Austria.

DeKalb’s Board of Commissioners elect 2020 leadership Steve Bradshaw elected as presiding officer, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson as deputy presiding officer The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to elect Commissioner Steve Bradshaw as the board’s presiding officer on Jan. 14. Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was elected deputy presiding officer.

Bradshaw began his term as DeKalb Commissioner DeKalb Commissioner the District 4 Commissioner on Steve Bradshaw Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Jan. 1, 2017. He has served as the deputy presiding officer since January 2018 and was also elected to that position by unanimous vote of his colleagues.

“I would like to thank my esteemed colleagues on this Board of Commissioners for your vote of confidence,” Bradshaw said in his remarks today. “I am indeed honored and humbled by your demonstration of support. As we move forward, I will work hard to prove myself worthy of your vote of confidence.”

Since taking office, Bradshaw has served on several committees. He began serving as chair of the Public Works & Infrastructure committee in January 2019. He also served as chair of the County Operations Committee (2017 and 2018) and as a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Committee (2017, 2018 and 2019). Commissioner Bradshaw also served on the Procurement Ad Hoc Committee (2018 and 2019) and the Executive Evaluation Committee (2019).

Cochran-Johnson took office in January 2019. She currently serves on the Planning, Economic Development and Community Services Committee and is the incoming chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. She also served on the Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee in 2019.

“I am honored to serve alongside Commissioner Bradshaw,” CochranJohnson said. “I will work hard to represent DeKalb and I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my role on the Board of Commissioners.”

“Collectively, we, as the Board of Commissioners, will continue to work diligently on behalf of the citizens of DeKalb County,” Bradshaw said. “And we thank you for affording us the opportunity to serve.”

Bishop Carswell pastored the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta for 17 years (1975 – 1992).

In July 1993, Bishop Carswell organized The Covenant Church, one of the fastest-growing ministries in metro Atlanta and the U.S. In a 2005 article, the Atlanta Journal & Constitution cited Bishop Carswell as one of Atlanta’s most effective and influential Pastors: “A Ministry that is touching the lost, the least, and the left-out; and making an unparalleled impact across this nation.”

Bishop Carswell was consecrated to the sacred office of Bishop on Feb. 4, 2001.

Bishop Carswell is survived by his wife, First Lady Gwendolyn Jones Carswell, to whom he was married for 39 years; and their children, Quinae Aresia Ford and Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell, II; and three grandchildren, Matthew Alexander and Miya Allison Ford; and Quincy Lavelle Carswell, III. The celebration of life service is entrusted in the care of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc.

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 17, 2020

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Stonecrest City Councilmembers George Turner, Rob Turn sworn in to second terms Stonecrest City Councilmembers George Turner and Rob Turner (who are not related) were sworn in to second terms on Jan. 13 at City Hall chambers. Both men were re-elected in unopposed races.

Stonecrest Municipal Judge Michael Sheridan performed the swearing-in ceremonies. A crowd witnessed the event, which took place at the first City Council meeting for 2020.

George Turner also was unanimously reelected by council members to serve a twoyear term as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem chairs the meeting in the absence of the mayor. The number of successive terms an individual may hold the position of mayor pro tem is unlimited, according to the city’s charter.

Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble nominated Turner for the position.

Stonecrest Library Friends seeks volunteers for bookstore The Stonecrest Library Friends group is seeking volunteers to donate time and energy at its bookstore and book sales drives.

Volunteers are needed on Fridays, 3 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 4 to 5 p.m., to help with organizing and putting out used books and other materials that are sold to raise money to support library programs funded by the Friends group. Volunteers also are needed to sell books at the bookstore during library hours.

“We especially need males who can help lift boxes of books that have been donated,” said Louise Ellen Alexander, who serves as vice president of the Friends group.

To volunteer and for more information, contact Alexander at 770-668-3060 and leave a message.

“Talking With Tammy” Grimes set Jan. 28 Stonecrest City Councilwoman Tammy Grimes will host her first community forum as the newest member of the City Council.

Grimes, who represents the city’s District 5, announced at the Jan. 13 council meeting that she Councilwoman-Elect plans to host “Talking With Tammy Grimes Tammy” on Jan. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. Grimes said she would provide more details about the meeting later. For more on the meeting, visit www. ocgnews.com.

Stonecrest Councilman Clanton sets community meeting Feb. 1 Stonecrest City Councilman Jimmy Clanton, District 1, will host his monthly community meeting on Saturday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m., at the AEI Startup Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, Stonecrest.

Jimmy Clanton

Admiration Lodge No. 25 to host career fair, JABY Inc. offers free career clothes for interviews Admiration Lodge No. 25 will host its 6th annual career fair in partnership with DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and JABY INC. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community Achievement Center, 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

JABY INC. is opening its clothing closet Jan. 20-23 to provide free career attire for those who would like to attend the job fair and something to wear. Clothes are also available to anyone who already has a job but still needs work clothes. The clothing closet, located at 5684 Redan Road, Stone Mountain, will be open Jan. 20: noon to 4 p.m.; Jan. 21: 9 a.m. 3 p.m.; Jan. 22: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Jan. 23: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to meet employers from a variety of industries including the U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Disease Control, Waffle House, Georgia Department of Transportation; registered nurses, Certified Nurses Assistants, Personal Care Assistants, 511 operator trainees, EMTs and paramedic, construction workers, , wellness professionals, multiple staffing agencies, engineers, educators, firefighters, law enforcement, sales, accounting, engineers, logistics, data entry, forklift drivers, production employees, machine operators, maintenance, customer service and others will be in attendance.

Candidates should come to the event dressed in interview-appropriate attire and resumes.

Be prepared to speak directly with employers.

Information also will be available regarding record restrictions.

Genealogy symposium to highlight black family history research The community is invited to attend a family history symposium on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2 to 5:30 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3355 Georgia 155 North, Stockbridge.

Workshops will include tips on how to get started on your family history, how technology is impacting family history work and how to reclaim one’s heritage. Attendees will get the opportunity to explore familysearch.org.

For more information, call Janice Jones at jlj1992@yahoo.com

ELECTION continued from page 1 I am the FIRST female sheriff in DeKalb County With 30 years of law enforcement experience, I know what it takes to help and change the community of DeKalb County for the better.”

Stringer served as DeKalb’s interim sheriff in 2017 during Jeff Man’s suspension stemming from his arrest for alleged indecency.

All nine candidates hail from law enforcement and public official backgrounds. Four of the challengers previously ran against Mann in 2016.

The full list of qualified candidates, as posted on the Georgia secretary of state’s website include: • Geraldine Champion (Non-Partisan), Decatur, Retired Atlanta Police homicide detective who also ran for sheriff in 2016 • Harold Dennis (Non-Partisan), Stone Mountain, Former DeKalb deputy who ran for sheriff as a Republican in 2016 • Adam Gardner (Democrat), Stone Mountain, homicide investigator for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office • Ted Golden (Democrat), Decatur, Retired Drug Enforcement Administration special agent who also ran for sheriff in 2016 • Antonio “Block” Johnson (Democrat), Military veteran, former jailer, currently serving as Marshal for Fulton County Government • Kyle Keith Jones (Democrat), Stone Mountain, Retired law enforcement officer and businessman who also ran for sheriff in 2016 • Melody Maddox (Non-Partisan), Incumbent), current DeKalb County sheriff • Carl Mobley (Democrat), Retired DeKalb County police officer • Ruth “The Truth” Stringer (Democrat), Tucker, Marine Corps veteran who briefly served as DeKalb’s interim sheriff in 2017 March’s special election is nonpartisan and will be the first of several elections this year involving the DeKalb sheriff’s position, coinciding with the presidential preference primary.

In the event that no candidate gets 50 percent plus one of the votes cast in the March 24 special election, a runoff election will be held on April 21 between the top two vote-getters. The winner of that election would assume the role as sheriff until the end of 2020, when Mann’s unexpired term ends.

Candidates seeking to run for a full term as sheriff will be subject to another qualifying period in March for the 2021 term. The general primary election will be held May 19. The general election will be decided on Nov. 3.

Director of Voter Registration and Elections, Erica Hamilton, said it is not unusual for several candidates to run for the office of sheriff.

“I think the sheriff’s race is one of those races that generates a lot of attention when we do have a vacancy. It’s not unusual for candidates to run in a race they’ve run in before. I want to encourage all eligible voters to look at the sample ballot, go out and vote and engage in the electoral process,” said Hamilton.

Hamilton advised that Feb. 24 is the last day for the public to register and be eligible to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary, Special Election and Special Election Runoff if one should occur.

CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH 2020 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD, SUITE 155 STONECREST, GA 30038 CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH 2020 AT 7:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD, SUITE 155 STONECREST, GA 30038 The following petition(s)/amendment(s) within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above: LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:

RZ-19-010 / SLUP-19-009 Browns Mill Enterprises Corporation c/o Battle Law, P.C. 3332 Turner Hill Road R-100 (Residential Med Lot) Zoning District Requesting to rezone subject property from R-100 to NS (Neighborhood Shopping) and Special Land Use permit for the development of 16,000 square foot retail center with convenience store with accessory fuel pump and alcohol outlet.

Hillcrest Church of Christ

1939 Snapfinger Rd, Decatur, Ga 30035 | hillcrestcoc.net WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Mornings 10am to 12pm Sunday Evenings 5pm to 6pm

BIBLE CLASSES: Sunday Mornings 9am to 9:45am Wednesday Nights 7pm to 8pm Thursday mornings 10 am to 11am

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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JANUARY 17, 2020 • PAGE 5

City of Stonecrest welcomes new semi pro basketball team

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer

Hank Johnson, left, talks about community servants whom he honored. Glenn and Valerie Morgan, right, thanked Johnson, saying On Common Ground News is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

Rep. Hank Johnson hosts Unsung Hero Awards to honor outstanding community leaders Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted his inaugural Unsung Hero Awards at the Black Box Theatre in Conyers on Jan. 12.

Johnson honored 20 leaders from DeKalb, Rockdale Gwinnett and Newton counties who go above and beyond their job descriptions to give back to their communities and assist the constituents of Georgia’s Fourth District.

On Common Ground News was one of five recipients honored with the Congressman’s inaugural “Diamonds of the District” award.

The newspaper’s publishers, Glenn and Valerie Morgan, thanked the Congressman for his support over the years, stating that receiving the award was especially significant as On Common Ground News marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Johnson told the audience that that it is important to thank those who are dedicated in making a difference in their communities.

“The world today is in a very difficult situation,” said Johnson.

“It seems like wrong has been winning over right and lies have been winning over truth. In times like this, it is critical for us to come together as a community and recognize the efforts of the unsung heroes of the community that give us a sense of joy of where we are and where we can be. These unsung heroes don’t do it for the thanks or for the accolades but today we stop and tell them how important they are.”

The Unsung Heroes program was developed by Congressman Johnson and his District Outreach Director Eric Hubbard to recognize people in the community making a difference in the lives of constituents and to give them a small token of his appreciation.

“Together, we can continue to strive for greatness each and every day,” said Rep. Johnson.

AWARD RECIPIENTS DIAMONDS OF THE DISTRICT: Ann Mills, CEO of Overcomers House Inc.; Mera Cardenas, former Executive Director of the Arabia Mountain

National Heritage Area; Charles Sperling, Executive Director of STAND, Inc.; Glenn and Valerie Morgan, publishers of On Common Ground News; Tolbert and Janice Morris, founders of Helping Hands Outreach Clinic in Rockdale Co. CHAMPIONS OF THE FOURTH: Tommy Clack, Chairman of the Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial; Janel Green; co-founder of the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice and the Atlanta Women’s March; Antonio Molina, chairman-elect of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Hank Stewart, poet laureate and community leader.

PILLARS OF POWER: Debra DeBerry, DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court; Linda Hays, Newton County Clerk of Superior Court; Ruth Wilson, Rockdale County Clerk of Superior Court; Richard Alexander, Gwinnett County Clerk of Superior and State Court.

BEACONS OF LIGHT: Carolyn Collins, DeKalb County Schools employee and student advocate; Sheila Bussey, DeKalb County educator; Lori Crews, Gwinnett County educator; Dametria Williams, Rockdale County educator.

COMMUNITY CORNERSTONES: Pastor Aldren Sadler Sr., pastor of Church of New Beginnings; Mary Lou Waymer, former political director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1996; Debbie Hillman, president of the Newton County NCNW; Wendell Muhammad, volunteer pastor.

Full event photo album: https://www.facebook. com/pg/RepHankJohnson/ photos/?tab=album&album_ id=10156890142177006&__tn__=UC-R Full video coverage: https://vimeo. com/384542565/5e8a7054e1

The city of Stonecrest is now home to one of Georgia’s newest semi-pro basketball teams, the Georgia Kangaroos. The team, which has been seeking a home since early last year, will play its inaugural basketball game against the Augusta Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 19, 3 p.m., in the gymnasium at the newly renovated Browns Mill Recreation Center in Stonecrest.

Founder, head coach and former Parkview High School basketball player, Brian Caswell, said he is ecstatic about bringing semipro sports to Stonecrest. Caswell thanked city officials and Stonecrest Parks and Recreation for assisting in securing a home for the Kangaroos’ future sporting events.

“From the beginning, Stonecrest was 100 percent supportive. We got down to business immediately and it literally happened overnight. I look forward to being a part of making the City of Stonecrest the best city in America,” said Caswell.

The Georgia Kangaroos is a private entity operating under the Kangaroo Sports Club. The club, Caswell said, will eventually grow to include multiple teams, sports and a youth division. The Kangaroos team name is a tribute to the TOPSTAR Kangaroos Club Caswell worked for while living in Germany.

“We want to be an ambassador

for the city and attract things that are going to add value to the Stonecrest economy. Although we know it’s going to be the local families and kids that make us a success, it is our hopes that out-of-state teams and fans will stay in, shop and eat in this community and we hope to be a main attraction that will make Stonecrest the best city,” said Caswell.

Caswell said after the NBA selects its players each year, thousands of players are left without a way to utilize their talent in a professional environment.

“The real challenge is there are so many great basketball players but there are not enough jobs for them.

Semi-pro sports allow people to continue doing something they are good at and that they enjoy. We’re helping 12 more players live their dreams.”

While the players don’t rely on basketball for a full-time income,

SEE BASKETBALL page 7

PAGE 6 • JANUARY 17, 2020

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Celebrating MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

DeKalb NAACP sets 18th Annual MLK Parade, Barbara Cross named grand marshal

Georgia NAACP State President James Woodall to deliver DeKalb’s MLK Day charge

The DeKalb NAACP’s 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade will be held on Jan. 20. The kick off ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Green Pastures Christian Ministries Church, 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur at 11:30 a.m. The parade will start promptly at noon.

The annual parade is held on the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday and Barbara Cross commemorates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would have been 91years old this year.

“We continue to honor Dr. King so that he is always remembered for his sacrifice for all people,” said DeKalb NAACP President Teresa Hardy.

The parade route begins at Green Pastures Christian Ministries heading east on Flat Shoals Parkway, then south on Snapfinger Road (Ga. Hwy. 155/ Martin Luther King Junior Parkway) and ending at the Martin Luther King High School, 3991 Snapfinger Road, Stonecrest.

The 2020 parade grand marshal is Barbara Cross, survivor of the 1963 bombing of the16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama where four young girls were killed in the attack on the church.

The DeKalb County School District, the DeKalb County Public Safety Department, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department, Green Pastures Christian Ministries Church, John Miles auto dealerships, Boost Mobile, and other community organizations are partnering with the NAACP DeKalb in conducting this year’s parade.

Attendees will be able to register to vote and receive information about the upcoming 2020 census following the parade.

Groups and individuals wishing to participate in the 2020 parade must arrive by 10 a.m. on the day of the parade. Participants must be preregistered. Registration forms are available by calling the NAACP office at 404-241-8006, emailing info@naacpdekalb.org or by going online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/18th-annual-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-paradetickets- 42729348632.

The Rev. James “Major” Woodall, state president of the Georgia NAACP, will deliver the charge during DeKalb County’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

At age 25, Rev. Woodall became the youngest state president in NAACP history when he was elected to lead the Georgia NAACP in 2019. He serves as an associate minister at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Marietta. Rev. Woodall also is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Rev. James “Major” Woodall An alumnus of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in religious studies, Rev. Woodall currently is enrolled at the Interdenominational Theological Center pursuing a master of divinity degree through the Morehouse School of Religion.

The celebration, “King’s 2020 Vision: The Beloved Community – The Fierce Urgency of Now,” will be held Friday, Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

The 2020 tribute marks the 52nd anniversary of King’s death and the 36th consecutive year DeKalb will host the employee-planned event honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.

The celebration is free and open to the public.

Al Sharpton to commemorate MLK at New Birth’s Jan 19 worship service The Rev. Al Sharpton will be the guest speaker at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s preKing Day Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19, ahead of the national holiday on Jan. 20.

Sharpton will speak at the 9:30 a.m. service at New Al Sharpton Jamal Bryant Birth, which is located at 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest.

Dr. Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor, said he invited the icon civil rights/human activist, who is his mentor, to not only commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but because Rev. Sharpton’s healthy lifestyle ties in with New Birth’s health initiatives.

“He has lost over 100 pounds through diet and exercise—no surgery.

He is the model of both worlds for us: civic engagement and health,” said Bryant.

New Birth held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 12 for the re-opening of its Samson Fitness Center. Bryant said the fitness center has undergone renovation and now offers state-of-the-art equipment as well as “radical, cutting-edge trainers,” who demonstrated some of their workout routines during the re-opening.

“I was out of breath,” said Bryant. “It’s what we need. I wanted New Birth to model a holistic ministry and not only be concerned about people’s souls but also the health of their bodies.”

Bryant said he is encouraging his church members to not only exercise but to choose more healthy eating options as a lifestyle.

“We’re encouraging our church members to do a plant-based diet for the month of January with the hopes that people will continue it thereafter,” said Bryant.

Bryant praised Sharpton for his continued healthy habits. Sharpton, who once weighed more than 300 pounds, has shed more than half of the weight.

He follows a workout regimen and diet that has helped him to maintain his weight, according to several news outlets. Page Six celebrity news reported that Sharpton’s daily menu includes a banana at 4:15 a.m., followed by protein powder, one salad and a slice of toast between 11 a.m. and noon; two more slices of toast around 6 p.m.; and fish once a week.

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JANUARY 17, 2020 • PAGE 7

DEBT continued from page 1

DEAN continued from page 1

often accompanies looming medical bills and calls from debt collectors,” said Dr. Bryant. “When a medical issue occurs, the subsequent bills can wreak havoc on a family’s finances leading some down a path of bad credit or left with reservations about even seeking medical attention for fear of the costs for services.”

Church officials said nearly $1.3 million in medical debt was erased through its partnership with RIP Medical Debt. The average resolved medical debt was $1,065.

RIP Medical Debt, which was founded by two former debt collectors, has been featured nationally for eradicating more than $1 billion in medical debt by taking donations generated from individual donors, faithbased organizations and other establishments and buying medical debt at a greatly reduced discount. Medical relief participants must meet requirements outlined by RIP Medical Debt.

Bryant said he learned about the initiative during his travels and decided that New Birth should step up.

Said Bryant: “As I traveled around the country, I heard about other churches making this initiative to eradicate medical debt and none of them were African American congregations. When you see the inequity of health concerns and health care, there’s an overwhelmingly minority black and brown issue. I thought that our church should really be on the forefront of lifting that up. So we are not the first church to do it but we are the first church at this level to meet the needs within a minority community New Birth launched its medical debt relief efforts in December, just in time for a Christmas surprise.

“Thanks to the generous donations from the New Birth congregation, we were able to surprise families around the holidays with news that their medical bills have been totally forgiven,” said Dr. Bryant. “We wanted this effort to specifically impact those in the Stonecrest area and provide some needed relief as we enter into an exciting new year and decade.”

According to national statistics, 66% of bankruptcies are related to medical debt issues with 25% of credit card debt in the United States being attributed to medical bills and fees.

Recently, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, through the Trae Young Foundation, partnered with RIP Medical Debt to erase $1 million in medical debt.

For more information on RIP Medical Debt, visit ripmedicaldebt.org.

saying she endangered participants by not providing enough police officers for the 2019 event.

“She created a dangerous situation that could have been disastrous,” said Evans.

The mayor also suggested there was no racial divide at the swearing-in ceremony, though several who witnessed the ceremony whispered about the appearance of division during the reception following the event.

Evans explained that Magistrate Judge Phinia Atten swore in Council members Connie Alsobrook and Valyncia Smith at the two women’s request. He said he swore in Council member Gerald Hinesley.

City Attorney Michael Waldrop said in a letter to Dean that her actions on “Monday, Jan. 21(2019), were both reprehensible and criminal. To think that you would be willing to jeopardize the safety of the students and adults that participated in this event as well as jeopardizing the safety of those traveling on Rowland, Pine Log Road, and their side streets that afternoon for your own personal recognition and glory is unfathomable.”

Attorney Mawuli Davis disagrees with the city’s assessment, saying Dean filed all of the necessary paperwork and paid all of the fees associated with having enough law enforcement officers required to have the parade last year. He said the roads were not unsafe due to the negligence of Dean but “due to the negligence of the City of Conyers officers who were paid to direct the parade...

The sheriffs from Rockdale County did the job they were paid for correctly and the police from the City of Conyers did not,” Davis stated in his letter to the city’s attorney.

Davis said Dean’s relationship with the city changed with her involvement in seeking justice for the deaths of Shali Tilson and Jaime Henry, two inmates who died under suspicious circumstances in the custody of Rockdale County Jail. Davis said Dean challenged Mayor Evans for making contradictory statements at a town hall meeting when addressing the African-

American and white communities in the City of Conyers.

“We are concerned that this is retaliation by the City of Conyers towards Ms. Dean for exercising her First Amendment rights,” Davis wrote in his letter to the city attorney.

Davis said he requested an appeal on Dean’s behalf after city officials approved a special permit application for the 2020 parade and then yanked it several days later.

“The city never responded at all (to my letter). It was very demeaning the way that they addressed her (in denying the permit), especially to one who has worked so hard in the community,” said Davis. “They would rather have nothing at all than to help her and allow her to put on a parade to honor Dr. King.”

Dean said community residents are the real losers. They only have a paid event to celebrate the King Holiday.

“People have been calling asking about the parade and I just tell them we’re not having one,” Dean said.

Rockdale County officials hosted a major program at the Rockdale Career Academy last year that included student performances and other community groups. The county, however, decided not to host anything this year to avoid competition with the Rockdale NAACP’s fundraiser breakfast, said Jorge Diez, said the county’s director of public relations.

The Rockdale NAACP had applied to host a parade but President Thomas Brantley said there was not enough time to pull off the event. He said although the NAACP applied in early 2019, there was a lot of confusion and dissension after Dean’s permit was denied.

“We’re just going to work on having one next year,” Brantley said.

The Rockdale NAACP breakfast will be held on the King Holiday, Jan. 20, 7:30 a.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive S.W., Conyers. Tickets are $15 per person.

BASKETBALL continued from page 5 the team does offer other incentives in addition to compensation such as housing, healthcare and other perks.

Many of the players have full- or part-time jobs in various fields ranging from mental health to public safety, retail or are self-employed.

Some have families, wives and kids.

The team is sustained by sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise. Georgia Kangaroos’ sponsors include the City of Stonecrest; Chris Seabrooks of Country Financial; Emory Healthcare; Players Health Insurance; OD Nutrition; Tax Geaks;

and Firefly.

“One of our team’s strengths is that all of our players are strong.

Our challenge is choosing who will play first because we don’t rely on one person. Everybody has the opportunity to be the player of the game because we really are that

strong,” said Caswell.

Tickets are $10 per person.

Games will take place on Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Brownsmill Recreation Center gymnasium, 5101 Browns Mill Rd, Stonecrest. For s season schedule and updates, visit georigakangaroos.com.

ON COMMON GROUND NEWS MARKETPLACE TAXES

HELP WANTED DIRECTOR - ACUITY BUSINESS SYSTEM (Conyers, GA) is an individual contributor role reporting directly to the VP ABS. The DirectorABS will demonstrate leadership skills through the facilitation of a variety of cross-functional kaizen/value-stream improvement teams. The Director – ABS, in conjunction with Acuity’s senior leadership team, has responsibility for the continued development, promotion, and strategical alignment of the company’s business system with focus on lean/tips tools, specifically standard work, Kanban, 5S, TPM, Transactional Process Improvement, Value Stream Mapping, Accelerated Product Development, Funnel Management, Value Selling, etc. Resume to: Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. Attn: Erica Chmielewski, Senior Legal Counsel, 1 Lithonia Way, Conyers, GA 30012. job #AT021787.

CASTING CALL Open Casting Call for Stage Play POPS in May at Porter CASTING CALL Sanford Center, Decatur. Singers, musicians for juke joint scenes.

Actors: Dixie Queen ( 5-6 y/o AA girl who can sing). Mother to Child Dixie Queen 30ish AA. Dixie Queen 1213 y/o. Vibe 12-13 y/o AA female.

Little Junior 5 y/o AA. Grady 8-10 y/o AA. Dixie Queen 30ish. Vibe 30ish.

Grady 30ish. Many more roles. Minors must have parents present. Jan. 25,11am to 5 pm., Streeds Ent./ Productions LLC Studio, 3030 Miller Road, Stonecrest, GA. strdetpro@att. net. 404-983-1044.

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PAGE 8 • JANUARY 17, 2020

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