JUNE 15, 2012
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Women sport their best crowns to raise scholarships for DeKalb NCNW’s tea
By Joshua Smith
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here were hats of all sizes, shapes, colors and embellishments—from diamondencrusted head pieces to platinum, purple, pink and even leopard and zebra striped patterns crowns. The DeKalb Section of the National Council of Negro Women’s fourth annual HatTitude tea, held June 2 at the Marriott Courtyard in Decatur and drew well over 200 participants. The women’s group, originally founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935, also celebrated the 22nd anniversary of the National Council of Negro Women, DeKalb Section. “It is an honor to be here among such a beautiful rainbow of hats. This is a beautiful vision,” said NCNW, DeKalb Section President Rubie-Tolbert Williams, who was honored at the tea by State legislators for her work with NCNW. “In the spirit of Mary McLeod Bethune who fought for women to be educated, it feels great to know we come together each year for this event, not just to look pretty but to raise money for our youths to continue their education as well.” The event, hosted by CNN broadcast journalist and motivational speaker Calandra Corder, included remarks from several government officials and religious leaders, raffle giveaways, musical selections and a hat fashion show presented by Grand Diva Enterprises. Local poets also shared the stage. “They say it’s a man’s world, but the second part of that song, ‘It ain’t nothing without a woman’ really tells the truth about how things really go,” said DeKalb County CEO Burell Ellis. “It’s been said that when you empower a woman, you empower a nation and that’s exactly what you (NCNW) do. Economic empowerment, health empowerment, because of you, I am here. You make the community vibrant and I value you,
DeKalb values you for the beauty you bring.” The NCNW honored the organization’s youth group, “Black Pearls,” as well. The 18-year-old high school seniors who were honored include:
Miller Grove High School Destini Alphabet, who plans to attend Tennessee State University Jamie Graham, who plans to attend Tennessee State University
Pictured L-R: Georgia Sen. Gloria Butler, Rubie Tolbert-Williams, State Reps. Earnest “Coach” Williams, Rahn Mayo and Michele Henson.
Chamblee High School Chloe’ Bradshaw, who plans to attend Valdosta State University Carver High School Lanadia Leneon, who plans to attend Savannah State University Shiloh High School Camelia Bell, who plans to attend Albany State University. The tea served as a celebration to commemorate the late NCNW President and Chair, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who would have turned 100. “Another year has gone by and we’ve got Hattitude in DeKalb County. When you wear your hat, you represent 75 years of great service and a group of women that did and do everything with dignity and class,” said Congressman Hank Johnson, who attended the event. “Your founder, Dorothy Irene Height, wore many hats and as grandmothers, mothers, aunts, care takers, community activists and all that you do, I know you will continue her legacy with both dignity and class.”
Stabilization programs are helping provide affordable homes, combat foreclosures in DeKalb, Rockdale
New homeowner Elonda Dixon shows off her new deck in Ellenwood.
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By Joshua Smith
londa Dixon was just sitting on her couch watching television and eating potato chips when she flipped to a channel that changed her life. “I just happened to turn to DCTV (DeKalb County Television) and saw a man who was unable to find a home until getting in the Get Home Now program and I figured, ‘Hey, I should try that,’” said Dixon, a single mother of three. Dixon has become part of DeKalb’s success story. This month, county officials recognized her for becoming a homeowner through DeKalb’s Get Home Now program. The program is among the initiatives in the metro Atlanta area providing affordable homeownership to working people as a way to combat blight caused by foreclosures. Dixon was able to purchase the foreclosed home where she now lives in Ellenwood for $40,100 under DeKalb’s Get Home Now program. She received a loan with a 4.25 percent interest rate and went from paying $710 for an apartment to $560 for a mortgage. Under the program, the county spent $11,550 to renovate the 1,444-square-foot home, which was built in 1997, after it sat vacant for at least a year. “The whole process for me to get my home took about nine months, but it was well worth it. To come by and see people replacing the appliances and fixtures, laying down carpet, repairing the A/C and restaining the deck was just amazing,” said Dixon. So far, DeKalb’s Neighborhood Stabilization
programs have purchased 90 foreclosed homes, renovated and re-sold them and restored 88 rental units for occupancy by low-income families. DeKalb received $18.5 million to launch the program in 2009 and another $5.3 million in 2010 to tackle blight in the depressed Hidden Hills golf course community in Stone Mountain. County officials have been working with ADP Solutions and other agencies to chip away at the problem. In neighboring Rockdale County, 28 buyers have become homeowners through the year-old Neighborhood Stabilization program there. Rockdale launched its program in May 2011 with a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county has been buying foreclosed homes in several communities, re-selling them for between $65,000 and $140,000. Get Home Now uses federal funds to buy and renovate the foreclosed properties. As repairs are completed, the houses are marketed and sold through participating local real estate professionals. Buyers who are approved for the program receive lowinterest loans to buy them. “Successful applicants must meet maximum income guidelines, be credit-worthy with one of the program’s participating lenders, participate in home ownership pre-purchase counseling and plan to purchase a home anywhere in DeKalb County,” said DeKalb NSP Coordinator Barry Williams. Officials in both, DeKalb and Rockdale, have been working with ADP Solutions and other agencies to chip away at the problem. “Our partnerships with APD Solutions, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Obama administration are making the American Dream a reality,” said DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis. “This is more than just homes. We are building, restoring hope for our working families.” Rockdale had 1,041 foreclosures through May of this year. The largest number—263—was advertised in January, with the smallest number—153—in April. “This program isn’t the end-all, be-all to foreclosures in Rockdale, but it is definitely helping. Foreclosures are going down. A sense of pride trickles down, too,” said Rockdale NSP Coordinator Tanesha Lanier. “When we move someone in a foreclosed home, the neighbors around them seem to take
more pride in their property, which then makes the neighborhood as a whole improve in value.” DeKalb currently has 2,716 foreclosed properties, according to RealtyTrac. The number of foreclosures in DeKalb has hovered around 10,000 for the last two years: In 2010, there were 10,557 foreclosures compared to 10,079 in 2011, according to Equity Depot.
DeKalb County’s Get Home Now program At A Glance • The program offers flexible credit to people with scores as low as 580. First responders—police, firefighters, paramedics and military personnel— may have credit scores as low as 550. • There are no income limits for those seeking to buy a home through the program. • Those who have filed bankruptcy may apply. • The program provides mortgage coverage in the event of job loss after homeowners have obtained a mortgage through the program. Homes prices run up to $160,000. For more information, call 404-286-3308 and 1-877484-6669 or visit http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/ onedekalblives.
Rockdale County’s NSP highlights • Eligibility for NSP varies based on a multitude of family situations, including families as small as one person with an annual income of up to $25,100, to larger families with annual salaries of over $110,000. • Persons residing either in or outside of Rockdale County who meet the criteria in the application are encouraged to apply for assistance through the NSP. • Receive up to $14,500 in homebuyer assistance, plus five percent in closing costs on “move-in ready” inventory homes. • NSP invests an average of $25,000 in repairs and improvements per home as an added benefit to the buyer. For more information, call 770-278-7141 or visit www.rockdalecounty.org.