DeKalb History Center

Today, we are honored to share the inspiring journey of Deborah A. Jackson, a trailblazer whose life story is a master class in perseverance and community leadership.
Born in 1952, in Savannah, GA, Deborah spent the first six weeks of her life in the South before moving to Jersey City, New Jersey. Growing up in a compact, supportive neighborhood, she first navigated the complexities of race in third grade, an experience that later fueled her passion for justice. A standout student, she served as high school valedictorian and student council president before joining the second-ever class of women admitted to Princeton University.
Deborah’s career was sparked by a firsthand encounter with systemic injustice during a summer break, leading her to pursue a law degree at Rutgers. Whether fighting for civil rights in rural Mississippi or legal equity in New York, she has always used the law to challenge the status quo.
Since moving to DeKalb County in 2000, Deborah has left an indelible mark on the City of Lithonia. As mayor (2012-2020), she transformed community plans into reality, moving them “off the shelf” and into the streets. She oversaw the creation of the new Municipal Complex and spearheaded 75 affordable housing units at Lithonia Plaza. She remains a fierce advocate for the historic Bruce Street community and the preservation of the public school for Black children in the county.
“I’m proud to be part of a group of Black women willing to step forward,” she says, reflecting on her lineage of leadership in this “place of stone.” Thank you Deborah, for helping us document the history of Lithonia.
If you or someone you know is interested in an oral history interview, please let us know! We’d be delighted to talk to you.

We join the community in mourning the passing of renowned metro-area architect Robert L. Brown, Jr. Designated a “Citizen Architect” by the AIA, Brown served as the first African American Board President of the DeKalb History Center in 1996. He was an active board member and then a trustee for a decade before he served on the boards of statewide organizations including the Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and many more.

In addition to his vast community service his enduring architectural legacy includes statewide and regional projects from Morehouse College to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family during this challenging time.