Forsyth County commissioners adopt Juneteenth resolution and present scholarship queen with recognition

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth National Independence Day in Forsyth County and publicly presented the document to Aaliyah Copeland, the 2024 Queen Juneteenth.

Commissioner Woodbury introduced and read the resolution during the June 19 meeting, describing Juneteenth’s historical origins and noting the date federal and state milestones cited in the text. The board adopted the resolution by voice vote with no opposition.

After the vote, Chair Martin and county staff presented the framed resolution to Copeland. Copeland, a graduate of Mount Tabor High School who plans to attend Howard University, spoke briefly about representing the Queen Juneteenth scholarship program and the holiday’s importance in honoring ancestors’ struggles and inspiring future civic engagement.

Commissioners used the occasion to note local Juneteenth events: a Kernersville event at 4 p.m. the same day and a larger Winston‑Salem celebration at Bailey Park during the weekend. Commissioner Woodbury also used the recognition to reiterate a request that county management consider a paid holiday for county employees on Juneteenth in 2026.

The resolution text included standard historical findings (reference to General Orders in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, and the 13th Amendment ratification date) and supportive language encouraging continued observance. The board directed staff to place the resolution file in the public record and to coordinate presentation logistics.