The celebration of freedom and community at the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP Juneteenth Gala is open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background. The keynote speaker is Mr. Michael Thurmond, CEO of DeKalb County, Georgia, attorney, author, and motivational speaker. He has previously served in the Georgia legislature, as director of Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services, Georgia labor commissioner, and as superintendent of DeKalb schools. In 1997, Thurmond became a distinguished lecturer at the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute. The evening will also feature live music, food, dancing and celebration.

Saturday, June 15, 5 p.m., tickets $35, Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway Dalton, GA 30720