Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates cover art

Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Written by: Commissioner Chakira Johnson
Listen for free

About this listen

A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie.Commissioner Chakira Johnson Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • DeKalb County Rent, Homeownership, and the Unhoused with Dr. Alan Ferguson | Chakira's Corner
    Feb 3 2026

    DeKalb County's first Chief Housing Officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to talk about housing challenges and solutions in DeKalb County. They discuss rising rents, homelessness, and housing diversity. The conversation also details where residents should turn if they are worried about paying rent or staying housed. Learn how to plug into the zoning rewrite, the countywide housing strategy, and other opportunities to help shape DeKalb's housing future.

    Chapters

    00:00 Intro and Commissioner Johnson's roles

    01:33 Introducing Chief Housing Officer Dr. Alan Ferguson

    02:26 Growing up in South DeKalb and choosing public service

    05:22 Why DeKalb created a Chief Housing Officer role

    07:24 What the Chief Housing Officer does and does not handle

    12:18 Common misconceptions about county government and housing

    18:06 If you miss a paycheck, where to call and how to get help

    23:00 Development without displacement and neighborhood stability

    27:10 Preserving neighborhood character and the zoning rewrite

    33:05 Early wins: housing strategy, Affordable Housing Fund, Park 500, NACA

    39:06 Key takeaways on housing priorities in DeKalb

    41:25 Commissioner Johnson's new role as Presiding Officer44:46 How to contact Commissioner Johnson and stay connected

    Links

    DeKalb Housing and Chief Housing Officer info:https://bit.ly/DeKalbDrFerguson

    DeKalb Zoning Rewrite information:https://bit.ly/ZoningDeKalb

    United Way of Greater Atlanta (including 211):https://unitedwayatlanta.org/

    ARCHI Collaborative:https://www.archicollaborative.org/

    DeKalb Resource Guide:https://bit.ly/DeKalbResourceGuide

    Commissioner Chakira Johnson Linktree:https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson


    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • 2025 Recap, Looking to 2026: Progress & Priorities in District 4 of DeKalb County | Chakira’s Corner
    Jan 6 2026

    In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson looks back on the biggest lessons from 2025 and shares what’s ahead in 2026. Topics covered include housing and homelessness, water infrastructure and the consent decree, Memorial Drive revitalization, youth development, and services for New Americans.

    She also previews Resources Day on April 18, 2026 (in tandem with the Community Connection Breakfast), explains how residents can reach her team, and encourages District 4 constituents to consider serving on county advisory boards and commissions.

    00:23 – Intro: committees + District 4 focus areas

    01:39 – Why Commissioner Johnson ran for office

    03:02 – One year in: reflections from 2025

    04:43 – Priorities: housing/homelessness + water infrastructure

    07:38 – How to contact the Commissioner

    10:23 – Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (Apr 18, 2026)

    14:34 – Community Connection Breakfasts + Jan 31, 2026 preview

    19:10 – “Chakira’s Cookout” back-to-school event recap

    21:21 – Boards & commissions: what they are + how to serve

    29:00 – District projects: Park 500 + Memorial Drive (4380)

    30:18 – Memorial Drive next steps: safety, transit, CID/BID

    33:00 – Youth development + services for New Americans

    35:30 – 10,000-foot view: 2025 to 2026 + closing

    RELEVANT DATES

    Saturday, January 31, 2026 — Community Connection Breakfast (Q1 2026) — 9:00 AM

    Location: East Central DeKalb Senior Center & Community Center

    Saturday, April 18, 2026 — Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (combined)

    Location: DeKalb Conference Center @ Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Clarkston)

    Summer 2026: Chakira’s Cookout: back-to-school event

    Typically the last weekend in June (exact date TBD)

    Open advisory board positions:

    • Open Positions: Community Council,

    • PDK Airport Advisory,

    • Watershed Customer Service & Billing

    bit.ly/DeKalbBoardsAndCommissions


    Data Center Text Amendment (on Engage DeKalb’s site)

    bit.ly/DCGADataCenterTextAmendment

    Commissioner Chakira Johnson (District 4)

    • Website: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/

    • Contact form: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/contact

    • District 4 (official county page): https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/district-4

    • X (Twitter) referenced: https://x.com/CommissionerCJJ


    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Small Business, Zoning, Permitting & Growth in DeKalb County with Juliana Njoku | Chakira's Corner
    Dec 2 2025

    In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson talks with DeKalb County’s Director of Planning & Sustainability, Juliana Njoku, about how zoning, permitting, housing, and economic development all work together to shape DeKalb’s future. Juliana shares her path into public service and what makes DeKalb’s mix of communities, land, and cultures so distinct.

    They also break down how Planning & Sustainability serves as the “guardrails” for growth—guiding where parks, homes, and businesses go; improving permitting and licensing; and launching tools like the Planning Community Academy 101 and Engage DeKalb so residents and small business owners can stay informed and involved.

    Featured Resources:

    • Planning & Sustainability: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/planning

    • Decide DeKalb (Economic Development): https://www.decidedekalb.com

    • Engage DeKalb (Public Input Portal): https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov

    • Email Commissioner Johnson: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov

    • Linktree – Commissioner Chakira Johnson: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview

    01:20 – Juliana’s Path to Planning & Public Service

    04:30 – What Makes DeKalb County Unique

    06:20 – How Planning & Sustainability Supports the Vision

    12:00 – Parks, Businesses & Economic Development

    17:50 – Department Goals, Structure & Technology Upgrades

    21:10 – Helping Small Businesses Succeed

    32:20 – Community Academy 101 & Resident Engagement

    38:30 – Permitting, Pre-Application Meetings & Realistic Timelines

    51:00 – A Shared Vision for DeKalb’s Next 5–10 Years

    55:00 – Closing Thoughts & How to Connect


    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
No reviews yet