The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce kicked off its first meeting of the year on Jan. 18 with a new president, Doreen Carter, a new board of directors and a packed audience who attended its luncheon at the Fairfield Inn at Stonecrest.

In his “State of East DeKalb Address,” DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May, the luncheon’s keynote speaker, touted East DeKalb as a “promising” economic engine, one prime for development, jobs and the I-20 transit rail.  

“Unlike the rest of DeKalb County, where buildings must be torn down or renovated for redevelopment, the Stonecrest area here in East DeKalb has 60 percent of undeveloped land,” May said. “This is where we have real opportunities to create and build and grow.”

The chamber’s Feb. 15 luncheon will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Fairfield Inn & Suite at the Mall at Stonecrest. The guest speaker will be Charles Whatley, DeKalb County’s director of Economic Development. The chamber will celebrate Black History Month by presenting and honoring Tuskegee Airman Val Archer at the meeting. The luncheon is $15, payable in advance. To RSVP, call (770) 482-1808 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Chamber board includes:

•Doreen Carter, President

•Jackie Leonard

•Bonnie Wilkins

•Valerie Morgan

•Gregory Williams, Vice President

• Andrew Chamblin, Secretary

•Tamika Conde

•Dexter Johnigan, Treasurer

•Carol Griggs

•Saddie Dennard

•Jerome Edmondson

•Dr. Nailah Smith

•Mike Valentine