General Gorham to speak at Juneteenth event

By Editor | June 10, 2026 |

The Alexander County America 250 Committee is proud to announce the third installment in the America 250 Lecture Series, featuring General J.R. Gorham on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Davis Hall at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville. General Gorham will share remarks from his book, Sharecropper’s Wisdom.

General Gorham grew up in Falkland, North Carolina, as the son of a sharecropper. He went on to become the first Black officer commissioned as Brigadier General in the North Carolina National Guard.

Balancing hard truth and wisdom with humor and an inspirational attitude, General Gorham will share valuable lessons on navigating obstacles, overcoming challenges, and becoming a successful leader and businessperson.

He graduated from East Carolina University, completed a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies through the U.S. Army War College, and is a graduate of the CAPSTONE executive education program at the National Defense University. He currently serves as Director of Special Projects with the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

In addition to General Gorham’s remarks, attendees will enjoy music from the Liberty Grove Missionary Baptist Church All-Male Choir. Refreshments will be served.

The Alexander County America 250 Committee includes Commissioner Larry Yoder, Helen Chestnut, Nancy Coley, Betty Long, Lisa Lowe, and Tamara Odom.
View the upcoming America 250 events at https://visitalexandernc.com/calendar.

The 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration will follow the America 250 lecture at First Baptist Church at 5:00 p.m. The celebration will feature The Barnes Family, Liberty Grove Baptist Church Praise Team, Kim Pennell, Community Choir of Statesville, and others. The event will also feature food trucks from Carter’s Catering Kitchen, Macy’s & Loretta’s Homemade Cakes, Kylie’s Sugar Shoppe, and Bey’s Concessions. Other special vendors will include Arts by Gary Moore, Cheryl’s Jewelry, Soaps by Lacey, Stones for Healing (Cheryl Parker), Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Andy’s Information, and the NAACP Welcome Booth & Membership Drive. Copies of General Gorham’s book, Sharecropper’s Wisdom, will be available for purchase. The public is cordially invited to attend.