Statement for The Galveston Daily News

Galveston (June 3, 2025)—The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation categorically denies Councilwoman Marie Robb's claim that CGMF has threatened to withhold endowment funds from the city of Galveston if the city backs the L.A. Morgan site for a Juneteenth museum. This statement is completely inaccurate.

First, CGMF does not provide endowment funds to the City of Galveston.

Second, CGMF is very supportive of a Juneteenth museum being built in Galveston—the birthplace of Juneteenth deserves a world-class museum honoring this pivotal moment in U.S. history.  However, we're confident a viable Juneteenth museum needs to be part of Galveston's visitor corridor, where tourists naturally flow. It should be accessible, visible, and connected to the broader narrative of the island's history.

Our position is that the L.A. Morgan site is better optimized for much-needed workforce housing. When teachers, healthcare workers, public safety personnel, and other vital employees can't afford to live in the community they serve, Galveston loses its tax base and community fabric. This housing crisis has been particularly devastating to Black families who have been leaving the island for decades in search of affordable housing and economic opportunity.

Whether or not a Juneteenth museum is built in Galveston will not affect the foundation's short- or long-term grantmaking strategies. CGMF remains committed to enhancing residents' quality of life with equitable access to quality education, healthcare, livable wages, green space, affordable housing, green energy, and an equitable justice system.

We believe Galveston deserves both a successful Juneteenth museum and solutions to our housing crisis—strategic decisions that will deliver positive outcomes for the Galveston community.

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For more information:
Brett Holmes
bholmes@cgmf.org or (713) 244-4178

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