VOLUME 22 NUMBER 28
FREE
OCTOBER 15, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
“Martin’s”Actor Tommy Ford remembered for legacy of laughter By Mackenzie N. Morgan
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tlantans are mourning the death of actor Tommy Ford, who appeared in over 100 productions including co-starring in the 1990s Fox sitcom, Martin. Thomas Mikal Ford played the role of “Tommy Strawn,” one of Martin’s best friends on the show. The actor was placed on life support and hospitalized in Atlanta for an aneurysm that ruptured in his abdomen, several media outlets reported. Ford died on Oct. 12. He was 52 Ford was involved in several projects in Atlanta including serving as a faculty member at Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s growing film and television program. The college’s president, Dr. Jabari Simama, stated in a note to faculty: “In the short time that Mr. Ford was a part of the Georgia Piedmont family, he made a deep impression. He developed an innovative 12-week workshop in digital media, television and film specifically for high school and outof-school African American men to teach them about the television and film industry and provide mentorship opportunities. He will be missed.” The program Ford developed for Georgia Piedmont was in partnership with DeKalb and Fulton County Workforce Development agencies.
David Manuel, executive director of the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur, said he has been praying for Tommy Ford’s family. Photo via Facebook
Facebook and other social media lit up with condolences for Ford’s family and memories of him were shared by those who had the chance to meet or work with Ford. Comedian and actor Martin Lawrence posted several messages on his social media accounts lamenting the loss of Ford. Lawrence said Ford
Consultant Shivern Jones-Jeter poses with Tommy Ford. Photo via Facebook
possessed “a positive attitude and so much joy. GPTC Police Chief Melody Maddox said in a Facebook post: “RIP Tommy Ford! So glad we See Tommy Ford page 9
Governor appoints Carr as Attorney General
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ov. Nathan Deal has named Chris Carr, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner, as Attorney General, filling a vacancy created by the departure of Attorney General Sam Olens. Carr will take office on Nov. 1, when Olens transitions into the role of president of Kennesaw State University. “Carr’s experience as an attorney, job creator and public servant make him the ideal candidate to fill the role of Georgia’s attorney general,” said Deal. “He is a leader with common sense, brilliant intellect and a wide range of experiences at the global, federal and state levels. That perspective will allow Chris to support and defend the laws of Georgia and the interests of our people. This role is a hybrid one of attorney, manager and public servant, and Chris is well qualified for it.” Deal appointed Carr in 2013 to lead GDEcD, the state agency charged with helping to create jobs and generate investment in Georgia. During his tenure, GDEcD
helped facilitate 1,055 projects across the state that represent $14.1 billion in investment and created more than 83,000 jobs. In 2015, GDEcD was recognized as the top economic development agency in the country. Carr has also served on the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), the body charged with reviewing and recommending judicial appointments, since January 2011. To date, the JNC has filled more than 100 judicial vacancies statewide. “I am truly honored and humbled that Gov. Deal has placed his confidence in me,” said Carr. “As I take on this new responsibility, I believe there is no more solemn duty than to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the state of Georgia, and the interests of the people of our great state. The seriousness of this work requires focus on a smooth transition and a readiness to tackle our state’s challenges and opportunities—and that’s what Georgians should expect to see from me.”
“LIVING with Breast Cancer” forum examines racial health gaps in African Americans
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By Mackenzie N. Morgan
reast cancer patients, medical professionals, business leaders and lawmakers convened on Oct. 11 at the Loudermilk Center in Downtown Atlanta to discuss shaping legislation and resources to better support patients, especially African Americans, facing long-term cancer care. A recent report by the Avon Foundation for Women found that the disparity between breast cancer mortality rates for black and white women in Atlanta is greater than any other major U.S. city. “It’s a travesty that in the Atlanta area the mortality rate for African American women is 50 percent higher than their white counterparts and even more so the disparity for breast cancer death rates between black and white women is higher in Atlanta than any other city in the nation,” said Kimberly Williams, PhD, who serves as Executive Director of the Georgia State Medical Association and served
as a panelist at the LIVING with Breast Cancer symposium. “It’s very sad and inappropriate that we have as much education and intelligent and well-educated individuals, hospital systems, Emory University, yet we have such a large proportion of African American women dying of cancer. The event, sponsored by the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology and the Kimberly Williams, PhD State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler State Sen. Gloria Butler Georgia Center for Oncology Research & Education (Georgia CORE), highlighted Although treatments now offer better the challenges patients and providers face in the symptom management and enhanced quality of life, cancer care industry, particularly with those batwomen with metastatic breast cancer are faced with tling “stage four” breast cancer or what’s known battling the disease for the rest of their lives while as metastatic breast cancer — meaning that cancer still being productive family members and employcells have metastasized or spread to other parts of ees. the body. The goal of the event was to recognize Georgia’s One-third of women who have had a breast can- distinct population of metastatic breast cancer cer diagnosis will at some point develop metastatic See Breast Cancer page 9 breast cancer, according to event organizers.