ABOUT US

OUR MISSION:

To preserve, protect, and honor the Macedonia Cemetery and its permanent residents through comprehensive stewardship, historical research, family reconnection, and educational programming.

 

WHAT WE DO:

(1) Preservation & Protection

• Physical maintenance and security

• Archaeological identification of burials

• Historical documentation

• Prevention of further neglect and damage

 

(2) Family Reconnection

• Reverse genealogy to identify individuals buried at cemetery

• Connection of living descendants with their ancestors

• Documentation of family histories

• Memorial services and commemorations

​​

(3) Education & Awareness

• Public education about cemetery's historical significance

• School programs about local history

• Community presentations

• Advocacy for proper treatment of abandoned African American cemeteries

​​

(4) Historical Justice

• Holding local government accountable for 27 years of broken promises

• Securing resources necessary for proper cemetery care

• Ensuring those buried receive dignity and respect they've long been denied

 

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Macedonia Cemetery is more than a burial ground. It is:

• A testament to survival. Those buried here endured slavery, emancipation, Jim Crow, and generations of systemic injustice.

• A historical treasure. Connected to pivotal events: the American Revolution, Cherokee removal, landmark slavery legal cases, the Civil War.

• A sacred trust. Descendants have a duty to ensure ancestors are properly honored and identified.

• An educational resource. Future generations must learn this history to understand their community.

 

For 27 years, local government made promises and broke them. We formed to ensure those promises are finally kept.

 

OUR APPROACH:

• Good Faith Partnership. We've sought to work collaboratively with Johns Creek and Fulton County. We've been patient, respectful, and reasonable in our requests.

• Documented Advocacy. We've meticulously documented the history, the promises, and the failures to create an undeniable record.

• Community Engagement. We're building awareness and support among residents, media, and stakeholders who care about historical preservation and justice.

• Legal Clarity. We've retained experienced counsel to ensure our rights and those of our ancestors are protected.

• Transparent Communication. Everything we do is in the open. Our correspondence, our requests, our reasoning; all available for public review.

 

WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR:

Our requests are modest, reasonable, and backed by both moral and legal authority:

(1) Remaining allocated funds ($57,516) that were specifically budgeted for the cemetery but never used;

(2) Additional one-time payment ($57,516) to address City's failures and to enable proper restoration;

(3) Annual maintenance support ($15,000/year for 10 years) to ensure sustainable care.

​​

This represents:

• 4% of Johns Creek's 2025 surplus alone

• Less than the cost of LED light replacements

• A fraction of what's spent on daffodils, parking lots, and park refreshes

• The bare minimum necessary to honor nearly three decades of broken promises

 

WHAT WE'LL DO WITH SUPPORT:

(1) Immediate Priorities:

• Comprehensive archaeological testing using modern GPR technology

• Systematic documentation of all grave locations

• Repair and restoration of damaged memorials

• Enhanced security measures (cameras, lighting, patrol)

• Removal of improperly placed fence and installation of proper boundary markers

 

(2) Medium-Term Goals:

• Construction of interpretive memorial/museum structure

• Installation of historical signage and educational displays

• Genealogical research and family notification

• Tree management and strategic landscaping

• Creation of safe access paths

 

(3) Long-Term Vision:

• Nomination to National Register of Historic Places

• Development of educational programming for schools

• Regular memorial services and community events

• Digital archive of cemetery history

• Model for proper treatment of similar sites

 

WHO WE ARE:

Current Board Members:

• Madyun Shahid - Board Member and direct descendant of April Waters, who is buried at Macedonia Cemetery. Marine veteran and passionate advocate for ancestral honor and historical justice.

• Kirk Canaday - Board Member, Johns Creek resident, and local historian who is involved with Johns Creek Historical Society. Extensive knowledge of the cemetery's history and its significance to the region.

• Dometa Ouisley - Board Member and descendant of Robert Ousley, whose family members are buried at Macedonia Cemetery. Dedicated to ensuring her ancestors receive the dignity and recognition they deserve.

• Sabrina Aquell - Board Member and descendant of Robert Ousley, with several ancestors buried at Macedonia Cemetery. Dedicated to ensuring her family members receive the dignity and recognition they deserve.

​

Legal Counsel:

Kyle P. Magee, Esq. - Founder of Magee Law Group in Atlanta, Georgia.  Attorney Magee has provided extensive legal representation, documenting the full scope of municipal failures and articulating the legal and moral case for proper cemetery support.

​

OUR COMMITMENT:

(1) Transparency

• All correspondence with officials publicly available

• Regular updates on progress and setbacks

• Open financial records

• Community input welcomed

​​

(2) Accountability

• Funds used only for cemetery preservation

• Regular reporting on activities and expenditures

• Community oversight and engagement

 

(3) Respect

• For those buried at the cemetery

• For descendants seeking connection to ancestors

• For the community's interest in local history

• For the proper processes of government and law

​​

(4) Persistence

The ancestors have waited 27 years. We won't give up until promises are kept and justice is done.

 

GET INVOLVED:

(1) For Descendants: If you believe you may have ancestors buried at Macedonia Cemetery, please contact us. We're conducting genealogical research and would love to help you connect with your family history.

 

(2) For Community Members: Your voice matters. Join us at City Council meetings, share our story, contact officials, and help build momentum for action.

​

(3) For Organizations: We welcome partnerships with historical societies, preservation groups, educational institutions, faith communities, and civic organizations.

​

(4) For Media: Board members and legal counsel available for interviews. Complete documentation provided for fact-checking.

​

​A FINAL WORD:

We didn't choose this fight. We would much prefer that Johns Creek simply honor its word and fulfill its obligations; but, after 27 years of broken promises, after witnessing continued neglect despite multimillion-dollar surpluses, and after seeing LED lights prioritized over enslaved ancestors, we had no choice but to demand accountability.

​

The ancestors buried at Macedonia Cemetery:

• Survived slavery

• Endured unspeakable injustice

• Built communities despite systemic oppression

• Contributed to the history of this place we call home

​​

They deserve better than 27 years of broken promises.

They deserve better than being forgotten.

They deserve the dignity, respect, and care that has been promised but never delivered.

We are their voice. We are their advocates. We are their descendants.

And we will not be silent.