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Gastonia proclaims Juneteenth; EbonyFest director asks city to fund African American Museum and consider a city holiday
Summary
The council declared June 19, 2026 Juneteenth for the city of Gastonia and presented a proclamation to EbonyFest organizers; director Latasha White read local family names into the record and asked council for sustained funding for the African American Museum and for the city to consider giving employees the day off.
The Gastonia City Council presented a Juneteenth proclamation on June 16 and unanimously placed the proclamation in the public record.
Latasha White, founder and executive director of Health Carolina and festival director for EbonyFest, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the festival and read a long list of local family names into the chamber record as an act of remembrance and recognition. White described the Juneteenth theme "rooted in resilience beyond 250 years" and outlined festival events taking place across the community through June 19.
White used her acceptance remarks to urge the council to provide ongoing support for the African American Museum of History and Culture in Gastonia, led by Doc Guthrie, saying the museum "needs your funding." She also asked the city to consider making Juneteenth a day off for city employees and to share the proclamation widely with schools and community partners so the history and names read into the record are not stored away.
Mayor Franks and council members thanked White and the festival organizers; the council voted to place the proclamation in the public record by unanimous voice vote.
White said EbonyFest continues with free events through the weekend and urged the city to help amplify the celebration and preserve local histories with markers and sustained museum investment.
