Good afternoon, everyone:
On September 28 I completed my tour of duty as a board member of the DeKalb County Board of Health. My two years of service including the last year as Vice Chair has been a tremendous educational experience. The scope of duties that the Board of Health is responsible for is truly astounding. And the employees of the agency are dedicated and professional.
I am grateful to my fellow board members who afforded me both patience and kindness as we worked together on some of the issues facing the agency and DeKalb County. I would like to thank DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond for demonstrating confidence in me by appointing me to the position. I would also like to thank our Board Chair, Dr. Sonia Alvarez-Robinson for her friendship and wisdom. And I would like to thank our Health Director, Dr. Sandra Valenciano for stewardship of this critical agency.
The DeKalb County Board of Health is in great hands, therefore the citizens of DeKalb County are in great hands. And I will continue to be a strong advocate for the agency in the future.
Earlier that morning I had the pleasure of meeting with the board members for Prospera which is an economic development, non-profit organization providing assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs which is based here in DeKalb County. I am supportive of driving economic development in all communities of color. To that end, earlier this year my office made a $50,000 ARP allocation to support the work of this great organization. I would like to thank Prospera Market Lead Anibal Torres and his entire team for their work in our community.
Also that day, it was a pleasure to attend my first special program at the newly opened East Central DeKalb Community & Senior Center. The event was a Housing and Heath Symposium, hosted by our DeKalb County Human Services Department, Division of Aging. The program was well-attended and it was great to see our seniors enjoying the new facility and receiving important information. I would like to commend and thank Division Director, Darryl Blackwell for putting the program together.
On October 29 it was a great honor to join my friends with the East Memorial Drive Revitalization Foundation (EMDRF) for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for their new location. This group is one of the Community Action Groups (CAGs) that was derived from the Memorial Drive Revitalization Study that was adopted in 2021. My office has provided $50,000 to the CAGs as they continue to work on improvements in the corridor. And the EMDRF has led by example. I am so proud of their diligence and commitment to this project. I would like to commend and thank Group Chair, Shanta Lana Hereford and her entire team for the great work that they are doing.
The next day, September 30, this group followed up the ribbon cutting ceremony by hosting a Good Neighbors Day Out and inviting the entire community to participate. The event was wonderful with great music, great food, great vendors and activities for the kids. Once again the EMDRF deserves tremendous recognition for making this happen.
On October 2, my Chief of Staff and I had the great pleasure of visiting a jewel in District 4 and DeKalb County which is the OnStage Atlanta Theatre. Founded in 1971, this is an organization of professionals who are passionate about the impact that the arts have on their community. It is truly a wonderful facility, and if you have not had the opportunity to visit or see a show there I urge you to do so. I would like to thank Managing Director, Angie Short and the entire team for maintaining this wonderful place in our community.
On October 3 I was able to celebrate National Night Out in two great communities in District 4, Les Chateaux and Safari Woods which both hosted great events. National Night Out is a community building campaign that promotes police–community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. These events also provide a great opportunity to stay connected. I would like to thank representatives from our police and fire departments for participating. And I want to commend Chandra Robinson in Les Chateaux and Rozella Pringle in Safari Woods and all the respective event organizers for their community engagement and leadership.
On October 6 my wife Diane and I attended Jazz on the Lawn at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, which is another jewel in DeKalb County. Despite a little rain we enjoyed some great music and great company. I would like to thank Executive Director, Andrew Keenan for the invitation, and commend him for his stewardship of this wonderful facility.
On October 7 it was great to attend the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Decatur Alumnae Chapter’s 50th Anniversary Signature Ball at the Emory Conference Center. It was such an amazing event acknowledging the achievement of an amazing group of women and their work in our community. I was honored and humbled to be in their company and bear witness at this wonderful celebration. I would like to commend Chapter President, Angela Sanders for her tremendous leadership. And I would like to thank my dear friend and chapter member Bettye Davis for the invitation to attend.
Finally, on October 9 it was great to play in the MedCura Health Annual Golf Classic at the Mystery Valley Golf Club. All proceeds from this event go to deserving patients in our community who might otherwise not have access to quality health care. MedCura is a wonderful agency which fulfills a critical mission in serving uninsured and underinsured residents in our community. Over the past few years my office has supported their mission with over $150,000 in Cares Act and American Rescue Plan Funding. Therefore, it was an honor for me to participate in the golf tournament.
On the golf front, I can’t say that I played that well. But, my playing partners were patient with me and we all had a great time. I want to thank MedCura President and CEO Jeff Taylor for his tremendous leadership of this great organization.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may call my office at 404-371-4749, or visit my website at commissionerbradshaw.com. Follow me on all the major social media platforms for updates between the meetings, too.
As always, I will conclude my remarks by thanking the citizens of District 4 and DeKalb County for affording me this opportunity to serve. It is indeed an honor.