About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2025)
LOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2025 • PAGE 8 Mural unveiled at Bethune Middle School BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM A mural now greets students, staff members, and visitors at Mary McCleod Bethune Middle School, a DeKalb County School District (DCSD) middle school in Decatur. The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) DeKalb Section partnered with the National Black State Troopers Coalition and Mary McCleod Bethune Middle School staff in August to paint the mural, which depicts the school's mascots—a lion and baby lion— and a quote from Mary McCleod Bethune. The quote states: "We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends." Bethune founded NCNW and was a civil rights pioneer and activist, a champion of Black women's rights and advancement, and an advisor to presidents of the United States, among other accomplishments, according to Bethune Cookman University. In addition to the mural, 25 book bags with supplies were donated from the spouses of the Black State Troopers Coalition to students at Mary McCleod Bethune A mural showing Mary McCleod Bethune Middle School’s mascots and a quote from the school’s namesake was painted in the school’s halls. Photos provided Middle School. During the mural's unveiling and the book bag donation event, a $1,000 check from attorney Saundra Davis Forrest-who is also married to a state trooper—was presented to Bethune Middle School and accepted by assistant principal Corey Sapp, according to a news release. SBA Loan Commercial Loan Mortgage (NMLS#796712) FDIC FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U S Government Duluth Branch 678-385-0800 McGinnis Branch 678-892-7040 HQ/Loan/Mortgage 678-385-0826 Philadelphia (PA) LPO* 484-686-8467 Doraville Branch 678-385-0840 Johns Creek Branch 678-892-7000 Sugarloaf Branch 678-892-7020 Suwanee Branch 678-892-7030 Houston (TX) Branch 713-821-3570 Bayside (NY) Branch 347-428-9090 Annadale, VA 713-354-4310 Centerville, VA 571-321-6272 *Loan Production Office PromiseOneBank good people, smart banking McLeod Bethune in our courage is and practices so that r power toward good ends” to change is may c ‘We have youth, X^s During the mural’s unveiling, 25 book bags and a $1,000 check were also donated to the middle school and its students. National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) DeKalb Section, National Black State Troopers Coalition, and Mary McCleod Bethune Middle School staff painted the mural. DeKalb County Georgia Water Rate Assistance Program "Ensuring Water Affordability For All DeKalb Residents." 10% Water Rate Increase August 2025 COUNTY Urban League of Greater Atlanta Click To Learn More SORT & RECYCLE YOUR WASTE THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
