Page 10 - DeKalb NCG 2025

Madam

CEO

Meet DeKalb County’s CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
and her Renaissance Administration

By Lydia Cobb

L orraine Cochran-Johnson is the first “My hope for DeKalb is visionary empower its residents. She vows to be a
Black female Chief Executive Officer
CEO to all people and “draw circles
leadership and unprecedented,
in DeKalb County, sworn into office on
Cochran-Johnson has a background
January 17, 2025. Her service as an elected strategic growth from north of inclusivity.”
official began in 2018 when the people to south. I expect a complete in political science and criminal justice,
elected her as County Commissioner of economic development, entrepreneurship,
Super District 7 in 2018. Originally from revitalization of South and and visual media. She strongly supports
Greenville, Alabama, she and her family Central DeKalb that is the positive initiatives in economic
have lived in DeKalb County for more than renaissance of Candler Road development, workforce housing, public
25 years. safety and gun violence, and small business
Cochran-Johnson was honored as the and Memorial Drive, and the support – especially helping business
2023 Elected Official of the Year by the development of conscious districts succeed by eliminating high
American Public Works Association and communities that shape crime areas.
the 2023 Champion of Housing by Georgia
ACT. Madam CEO is a lifelong supporter of The New DeKalb.”
education and a past PTA president in the – DeKalb County CEO
branches of the public school system. She Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
is the founder and visionary of E.M.B.A.R.C
Community Youth Farm in Lithonia, an
urban farming project connecting youth and Did you Know?
community with natural, healthy living and
an entrepreneurial economy. Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
This year marks the beginning of what is a recipient of The Lifetime
she has described as her Renaissance Achievement Award by former
Administration, a new public chapter with President Joe Biden in 2024.
the mission to revitalize DeKalb County and

8 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 404-378-8000 DeKalbChamber.org