Speakers urge council to include local Black organizations in Juneteenth museum planning

Several members of Galveston's African American community used the council's public-comment period on Dec. 11 to press the city to ensure that local organizations are included in planning for a Juneteenth museum.

Samuel Collins III said portions of the process and a recent RFQ risked excluding groups that have worked on the Juneteenth narrative for years. He said longstanding local efforts should be recognized and included. "We have been working for several years... we do not wanna be left out," Collins told the council, urging that the record reflect their prior work.

Another commenter, who identified himself as Sean, asked the council to consider forming a subcommittee that would include African American organizations and stakeholders. "We have a lot to offer... we have to get it right," he said, noting the national significance of Juneteenth and the need to present a full history.

Longtime civic participant Taurus Woods told the council there is a need to make "good trouble" to secure representation, saying the African American community built much of Galveston and deserves a seat at planning tables. Woods also raised a separate personnel concern, asking the council to consider boosting a planned 2.5% pay increase for nonunion employees to 3%.

Council members thanked speakers and noted the public-comment record will be available to staff; no formal action was taken on the museum item at the meeting. Commenters asked the council to ensure ongoing community engagement and to consider a formal mechanism for including local organizations in the museum planning process.