The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, March 09, 2023, Image 3

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Newspaper Page TextLOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, MARCH 9 - 15, 2023 • PAGE 3 Federal funds to go toward signs, gateways along Memorial Drive BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM More than $1 million in funding is coming to the Memorial Drive Corridor to assist with developing and placing signage as well as gateway structures. Officials, including DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw and Congressman Hank Johnson, made the announcement during a recent bus tour of the corridor, which stretches from the Kensington MARTA Station in Decatur to James B. Rivers Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. The proposed signage and gateway structures are intended to help with revitalization efforts along Memorial Drive and showcase the area as a destination to travel to, not travel through, stated officials. SEE GATEWAY ON PAGE 8 Officials recently joined DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw and Congressman Hank Johnson on a tour through the Memorial Drive Corridor. The area received funding for signage and a gateway project. Photos by Christine Fonville Michael Julian Bond presents a resolution from Atlanta City Mukasa is also crediting with coining Council declaring Feb. 18 as “Mukasa Dada Willie Ricks the “Black Power” phrase. Day.” Photos provided Soweto Street Beat also performed at the event. Civil rights activist honored in Stonecrest BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM Hundreds of community members and several family members celebrated legendary activist Baba Mukasa Dada—formerly known as Willie Ricks—at The New Black Wall Street located in Stonecrest on Feb. 18, Mukasa's 80th birthday. Event organizers said Mukasa is an activist, community organizer, and leader in the struggle for rights for African people worldwide. Mukasa began his work by participating in sit-ins in Chattanooga as a teen. He was recruited to be an organizer in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). When the 1960 sit-in movement began against segregation in the South, he became involved in the protests, and he played a role in organizing the 1966 "March Against Fear." According to SNCC's website, Mukasa was also "known for his significant contribution to the rhetoric, mobilization and emergence of Black Power." The Civil Rights Digital Library adds that Mukasa coined the phrase "Black Power" at March Against Fear. The library's entry on Mukasa states he originally became known for his work with SNCC, much of which was completed alongside John Lewis and included campaigns in Georgia. Mukasa also helps register Black people to vote and continues to travel the world with his wife and co-organizer Mama Maimuna Dada "promoting Pan-African unity and self- determination," according to a news release. Radio personality and former city councilman SEE HONORED ON PAGE 8 (NMLS#796712) Dallas (TX) LPO* Philadelphia (PA) LPO* HQ/Loan/Mortgage Duluth Branch Doraville Branch Johns Creek Branch Sugarloaf Branch McGinnisBranch Houston (TX)Branch (678)892-7020 (678) 385-0800 (678) 385-0840 Bayside (NY) Branch 'Loan Production Office Tody's Special More than a bank. Your good partner. SBA Loan Commercial Loan Mortgage SB* —— f —> Member ESI W FDIC PromiseOneBank good people, smart banking www.promiseone.bank

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The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, March 09, 2023, Image 3