General J.R. Gorham
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. The celebration will feature The Barnes Family, Liberty Grove Baptist Church Praise Team, and other singers beginning at 5:00 p.m. The event will have food trucks, including Carter’s Kitchen Catering and Tasty Southern Spoon, Potter Pop Kettle Corn, and Bey’s Italian/Shaved Ice. Other special vendors will include Arts by G Moore, Cherly’s Jewelry, Soaps by Lacey, Stones for Healing (Cheryl Parker), the NAACP Welcome Booth, a DJ with a variety of music, and others. The public is cordially invited to attend.