FAQS
The Inauguration Steering Committee offers these FAQs to your planning for the Investiture Ceremony and week of Inauguration activities for the sixth Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County Georgia, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.
An Inauguration is a chance for DeKalb County, Metro Atlanta, regional partners, and the community to come together to celebrate the next steps in the life of a government and build momentum for the county’s future success. Elected officials, business owners, county employees, community stakeholders and supporters are all welcome to attend. This event is a defining moment to celebrate the County’s new leader, its heritage and the uniqueness of its mission while honoring the traditions of the past and defining the future. The Inauguration also affirms the importance and significance of DeKalb County to local, state, and national leaders, and community – engaging all of these constituencies in meaningful ways in order to renew and strengthen ties, unify the past with the present, and chart a path forward to the future.
The Inauguration Steering Committee will host a week of events beginning Wednesday, January8 – Sunday, January12, 2025, to mark the Inauguration of CEO-Elect Cochran-Johnson. These events will include activities for county employees, elected officials, and the community to engage with CEO-Elect Cochran-Johnson and celebrate this milestone in the county’s history. Signature events for the week will include the CEO Investiture Ceremony on Friday, January 10, 2025 and a scholarship gala to be held on January 11. More details about the week of events will be released in early November.
Inaugurations are typically scheduled several weeks before or after a new leader assumes office. This allows the new leader to have flexibility in consideration of holidays, standing events, and for invited guests to make the proper travel arrangements to attend.
Community, elected officials, employees, supporters and friends are invited to attend the Investiture ceremony. While the Investiture ceremony on January 10, 2025 is free and open to the public, other events — such as the Inauguration Scholarship Gala — will require a purchased ticket. Please continue to check the website for a complete list of events and relevant information about each.
Inauguration refers to the entire week of events celebrating the new Chief Executive Officer and this milestone in the county’s history. The events include a formal ceremony known as an Investiture ceremony. A ceremonial Installation will take place during the Investiture Ceremony when President LeGrande is administered the Oath of Office by Judge Penny Brown Reynolds. The formal Oath of Office will take place in the chambers of the Probate Judge prior to January 1, 2025.
The Investiture Ceremony will be held Friday, January10, 2025 in the auditorium oof Porter Sandford Performing Arts Center with the processional beginning at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will commence at 5:00 p.m. and include remarks from Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, her special guests, and visiting dignitaries. The Investiture will include ceremonial elements like a procession of elected officials from municipalities across DeKalb County, metro Atlanta, and abroad.
A steering committee has been appointed, composed of business leaders, elected officials, and community representatives. Each of these constituencies will have an active role in planning activities for the celebration. What if I have additional questions? Please continue to check the inauguration website for updates. If you have a specific question that is not answered on the website, please email: campaign@lorraineforchange.com.