Good afternoon, everyone:
On September 12 it was great to join my friends from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta for the launch of the Level Up program at Lithonia Middle School. I was able to offer a few remarks on the importance of mentorship and the impact that having great mentors has had on my life. At the program it was also a pleasure to join my friend and colleague Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson who brought inspiring remarks. The positive energy in the building was palpable and it was a pleasure to be there.
On September 14, I was again able to join my friends from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta for their 29th Annual Legacy Awards Gala celebrating the power of mentorship. The Vegas-themed night made the evening a lot of fun! I have come to really appreciate the relationship that my office has built with this great organization. So far, my office has allocated $125,000 of my discretionary funds to support their work. And I commend and thank BBBSATL CEO Kwame Johnson and his entire team for their leadership of this very important front.
On September 16 it was great to join my friends from the Peachtree Creek Greenway for a “creek walk” along the North Fork Peachtree Creek. It was great to hear the latest and interact with citizens about PCG which is a project that I am fully supportive of. I would like to thank PCG Board Member Steve Clowse for the invitation to participate, and Executive Director Josh White for his outstanding leadership of this initiative.
That evening it was wonderful to join my friends in the Latino Community for the Noche Latina Gala celebrating 20 years of GALEO, which is an organization that is dedicated to the growth and empowerment of the Latino Community. I stand in full support of the goals of this great organization. The evening was very festive, and I even took a spin on the dance floor myself. I commend GALEO Board Chair Art Gambill and CEO Jerry Gonzalez for their outstanding leadership. And I thank my good friend Gigi Pedraza, Executive Director of the Latino Community Fund for the invitation to attend.
On September 17, it was an honor to join my friends in Stone Mountain for the 133rd Anniversary of St. Paul AME Church. As someone who grew up in the AME church, I know how important such occasions are. At the service I presented the church with a proclamation on behalf of the citizens of District 4. My good friend Pastor Vandy Simmons of Antioch AME Church brought the message at the service, and did an outstanding job. Overall, it was a joyous occasion. I commend and thank St. Paul Pastor Orea Parker for being a pillar in the community, and for the invitation to attend.
Later that afternoon it was a pleasure to attend the Ethiopian New Year celebration on the grounds of the Ethiopian Community Center on Memorial Drive. This is always a wonderful occasion and I was happy to join my friends in the Ethiopian Community. I stand in full support of the goals of this important community in District 4 and DeKalb County.
On September 19 it was great to meet with friends on the Kingsgate HOA via Zoom. Kingsgate is one of the great communities in District 4. As usual we engaged in a candid dialogue with the community on several issues of concern. I would like to thank HOA President Dawn Smith, and the entire community for always making me feel so welcome.
On September 23 it was a great privilege to return to the campus of Georgia State University at the Center for State and Local Finance to deliver a lecture on Governmental Leadership to a group of aspiring leaders. I really enjoyed this opportunity, and it reminded me of how much I enjoyed my time in the classroom during my tenure as an adjunct professor several years ago. I would like to thank Professor Sharon Hill for asking me to participate in this great series of discussions.
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.