Dancing with DeKalb Stars enters third year

On Oct. 26 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, a new crop of contestants will compete in the third annual Dancing with the DeKalb Stars hosted by DeKalb County’s Solicitor-General’s Office. 

This year’s competition will feature nine teams and include a dance professional and a member of DeKalb County’s legal, public safety, business and civic communities.

Competitors for this year’s event include Lions Lighthouse Board Member Charlene Fang; Squash Blossom Boutique owner Lisa Bobb; DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Major Jefferey Leslie; DeKalb County Police Department Assistant Chief Sonya Porter; DeKalb County School Board member Diijon DaCosta; DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson; Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry; DeKalb County Board of Health Director Dr. Sandra Ford; and founder of CD Moody Construction C. David Moody. 

“This year’s lineup is exciting,” said DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling. “We’ve had wonderful people in the past and we’re always excited for this event. We’re happy to partner with so many great people.”

Judges of this year’s dance competition are 2018 champion and executive director of Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, David Manuel; executive director of Leadership DeKalb, Maria Balais; and Kaiser Permanente of Georgia’s director of specialty care operations and strategy, Paul Jacxsens. 

Since its inception, Dancing with the DeKalb Stars has been used as a domestic violence awareness fundraiser and resource expo. The event raises funds to support two DeKalb-based non-profits—Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and International Women’s House. Since 2016, more than $30,000 has been raised for Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and International Women’s House.

“This year we’re certainly tying in the message, which is ‘Ending domestic violence in DeKalb County,’” Coleman-Stribling said. “Every time I hear someone mention the domestic violence organizations who work in DeKalb, we know the message is getting out there…that’s where we start..understanding that we have the resources here.”

Doors open for the resource expo at 5 p.m., with the dance competition beginning at 6 p.m. Mable’s Barbeque and Smoked Meats will provide light refreshments during the resource expo and intermission of the dance competition. 

The star who raises the most money will receive the Dancing with the DeKalb Stars’ People’s Choice award. Community members can donate to DeKalb stars through their pledge page at https://connect.clickandpledge.com/organization/21065.