Ebony Austin donates $20K to Jonesboro High Band for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade trip

Ebony Austin (second from left), her business partner Rob Grover (furthest left), and Majestic Marching Cardinals Band Director Lynel Goodwin (third from left) with the $20,000 check inside the Jonesboro High School gymnasium on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta VoiceJONESBORO – The Jonesboro High School band, the Majestic Marching Cardinals, warmed up with a number of songs before their special guest arrived at the school’s gymnasium on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. One of the songs they played that morning was “Back Stabbers” by the legendary group The O’Jays.& On Monday morning there was a lot going on but back stabbing wasn’t one of them. In fact, Ebony Austin, the owner of several area restaurants and a regular contributor to local fundraising drives and holiday gift drives, was doing the exact opposite. She was giving back.  A check for $20,000 was presented to Jonesboro High School Band Director Lynel Goodwin and the band a little after 9 a.m., during the first period. Jonesboro High School’s band has been recognized as one of the best in the state of Georgia, but they would be making their first trip to New York City to represent the Clayton County...