The NAACP DeKalb County Branch launched its first Community Engagement Forum, welcoming approximately 40 community members for an evening of civic education and dialogue. The branch is providing these forums to work with the community to address some issues during 2026.
Edwina Clanton, President of the branch and Dwain Smith, Political Action Chair, served as presenters and facilitators of the forum. A representative from the Office of DeKalb County Commissioner, Mereda Davis Johnson attended the event, along with a representative from the Council on American-Islamic Relations Georgia that discussed efforts to protect civil liberties and empower American Muslims through legal support, advocacy, and education.
Multiple candidates running for Georgia State Senate District 10 participated in the discussion, addressing topics including ICE, the three branches of government, and men’s mental health. In addition, a representative from the National Coalition for Fair Housing and Eviction Support shared information regarding housing rights and eviction support.
Members from the audience asked questions about upcoming changes in the DeKalb government and what the county was doing to add to the infrastructure. A central topic of the night was voting and the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Dwain Smith provided statistics on how voters have been dropped from the Georgia voter rolls. He stressed the need to check you voting status and who to contact if you have been removed from the eligible voter list.
NAACP DeKalb has plans for other forums across the county. These forums will provide us with feedback and information from the community. We encourage you to attend. Your input will help DeKalb County grow.
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