The October 8, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights property-tax guidance, community engagement, public safety and planning for DeKalb’s future. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden about how tax bills move from assessment to collection, available exemptions and payment options, and introduces Nicole “Nicky” Marilia Herranz as District 4’s new Community Outreach Specialist. The newsletter also previews the year’s final Community Connection Breakfast, featuring AMR leader Antoine Meadows, a mini health and resource fair, and free pet services. Readers will also find updates on Stone Mountain community engagement, DeKalb’s Parks Master Plan, services for residents experiencing homelessness, the 2055 Unified Plan, MARTA leadership, the Blackhall land-swap agreement and a coordinated youth-violence prevention initiative.

The September 25, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights community, public safety, service and investment across DeKalb County. Read about DeKalb’s remembrance of the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Clarkston International Rice Festival, visits to Claratel Behavioral Health and American Medical Response, Georgia Tech Government Leaders Day and the PDK Good Neighbor Day Air Show. The newsletter also recognizes Master Police Officer Gale Karabeika’s 50 years of service, celebrates FODAC’s 40th anniversary, covers the groundbreaking of the new SPLOST-funded Fire Station No. 16, and shares updates on Memorial Drive.

The September 10, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights property-tax education, community investment, public safety and plans for DeKalb’s future. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Chief Appraiser Calvin Hicks about assessments, millage rates, exemptions and tax bills, and recognizes National Senior Center Month. The newsletter also covers Leadership DeKalb’s 40th anniversary, Callanwolde’s Bloom Ball, County legislative priorities, Stone Mountain’s new mural, the Fire Station No. 5 groundbreaking, demolition of a blighted property and a $25,000 District 4 investment supporting Georgia Piedmont Technical College students.

The August 6, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner provides a mid-year look at progress across Commissioner Johnson’s five focus areas: housing, infrastructure, youth development, Memorial Drive revitalization and community connections. The newsletter recaps the latest podcast episode and Community Connection Breakfast, along with youth programs, back-to-school support, National Night Out and the DeKalb Chamber’s VALOR Awards. It also welcomes new Fire Rescue Chief Melvin K. Carter and honors retiring Marshal Kevin E. Richardson.

The July 23, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights opportunities to connect, learn and help shape DeKalb County. Readers are invited to the Community Connection Breakfast featuring a special Mid-Year Progress Report. She also takes a moment to celebrate the United Education Institute’s Stone Mountain graduating Class of 2026.

The July 17, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights housing investment, neighborhood revitalization and essential services across DeKalb County. Read about the historic $155 million Housing Investment Bond Program, continued progress along Memorial Drive and R2ISE Recovery’s use of creative expression to support healing and reduce mental health stigma. The newsletter also recognizes DeKalb’s Solid Waste Management employees and explains temporary collection changes designed to protect crews from extreme heat.

The July 9, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights county operations, community investment and resources for DeKalb residents. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams about customer service, infrastructure, modernization and the work required to keep County services running. The newsletter also recaps Chakira’s Cookout and Stone Mountain’s annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast, explains the adopted 2026 budget and millage rates, and discusses the extension of DeKalb’s data-center moratorium.

The June 25, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights community investment, neighborhood growth and celebrations across DeKalb County. Read about the Stone Mountain Community Garden’s 15th anniversary, Dancing for Dementia, the DeKalb Juvenile Justice Council gala and Commissioner Johnson’s support for housing services through A Home for Everyone in DeKalb. The newsletter also covers the Candler Crossing groundbreaking, the Board of Commissioners Town Hall, Coffee with the Commissioner and several Juneteenth celebrations.

The June 4, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights recreation, healthy communities and upcoming opportunities to connect across DeKalb County. Read about improvements unveiled at Cedar Park, the Active People, Healthy DeKalb Month proclamation and regional preparations for international soccer events coming to metro Atlanta. The newsletter also features details about Chakira’s Cookout: Full STEAM Ahead and the DeKalb County Juneteenth Festival.

The May 21, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner celebrates public service, cultural connection and community leadership across DeKalb County. Read about the annual celebration at Mahidere Sibhat Lideta LeMariam Monastery, recognition of longtime public servants Thomas E. Brown and Irvin Johnson, and gatherings hosted by the Council for Quality Growth, 100 Black Men of DeKalb and the NAACP DeKalb County Branch. The newsletter also highlights Congressman Hank Johnson’s Pinnacle Awards and renovations underway at Maloof Auditorium.

The May 14, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights recreation, housing, public service and community involvement across DeKalb County. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Director Christopher Bass about summer camps, pools and arts programming, and participates in a tour supporting the County’s Comprehensive Housing Plan. The newsletter also covers the Champions for Change Gala, the Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony and the 2026 State of the County Address.

The April 24, 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights recent progress, community partnerships, events and ways for residents to get involved across DeKalb County. Read about the new Claratel Community Access Center, the DeKalb Housing Roundtable, removal of a blighted Sheppard Road property and dedication of Arthur J. Queen Drive. The newsletter also recaps the Community Connection Breakfast and Dancing with the DeKalb Stars, honors retired Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson and shares Commissioner Johnson’s Decaturish Download conversation.

The April 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights Commissioner Johnson’s work to expand access, strengthen neighborhoods and connect residents with opportunities across DeKalb County. Read about community arts, food distribution and higher education initiatives; DeKalb Day at the Capitol; the removal of a long-blighted Stone Mountain property; and celebrations honoring women’s leadership. This edition also features Commissioner Johnson’s conversation with DeKalb County Public Library Director Alison Weissinger.

The March 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner highlights Commissioner Johnson’s work to improve public safety, support young people and strengthen connections throughout DeKalb County. Read about the Community Connection Breakfast, DeKalb’s nearly $1.9 billion 2026 budget, the opening of the Teen Tech Center and recognition of local mentors and community advocate Brenda Gail Lundy. This edition also features Commissioner Johnson’s conversation with Public Safety Director Darnell Fullum.

The February 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner focuses on housing stability, affordability and opportunity across DeKalb County. Commissioner Johnson speaks with newly appointed Chief Housing Officer Dr. Alan Ferguson about available assistance, preserving affordable housing, preventing displacement, expanding homeownership and planning for future housing needs through the County’s zoning rewrite. The newsletter also highlights early initiatives, including DeKalb’s first Affordable Housing Fund, a proposed community land trust study and housing with wraparound services at Park 500. Readers will also find a personal update on Commissioner Johnson’s election as Presiding Officer and details about the rescheduled Community Connection Breakfast.

The January 2026 edition of Chakira’s Corner reflects on Commissioner Johnson’s first year on the Board of Commissioners and looks ahead to priorities for District 4 and DeKalb County. Highlights include progress on housing and water infrastructure, the Park 500 transitional housing purchase, the County’s acquisition of 4380 Memorial Drive, and planned safety and gateway improvements along the Memorial Drive corridor.

The December 2025 edition of Chakira’s Corner explores how DeKalb County plans for responsible growth and sustainable development. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Planning & Sustainability Director Juliana Njoku about zoning, permitting, small-business support, Community Academy 101 and efforts to modernize the department. Readers will also find highlights from World Planning Day, including community engagement and youth art, along with updates on proposed data-center regulations and the approved PDK/Sky Harbour hangar development.

The November 2025 edition of Chakira’s Corner examines public safety innovation and community trust in DeKalb County. Commissioner Johnson speaks with Interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick about the Real-Time Crime Center, Digital Shield, Flock cameras, drones as first responders, crime trends, officer recruitment and retention, and opportunities through the Citizens Police Academy. The newsletter also recaps the year’s final Community Connection Breakfast, including updates on 4380 Memorial Drive and WRAP, the Water Rate Assistance Program.

The October 2025 edition of Chakira’s Corner features the podcast’s first guest episode, a conversation between Commissioner Johnson and DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson about housing, infrastructure, public safety and economic growth. Highlights include Park 500 and expanded housing support, the County’s acquisition of 4380 Memorial Drive, investment in the Real-Time Crime Center, protections for renters facing excessive water bills and assistance through WRAP. Readers will also learn about Commissioner Johnson’s visit with Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry.