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Arts & Culture

Interracial Anniversary

North Carolina Public Radio | By Leoneda Inge

Published June 23, 2008 at 7:33 AM EDT

Alvin and Omelia Garner

On this day - June 23, 40 years ago, the first interracial couple in Orange County was married. Alvin and Omelia Garner got their marriage license a year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state laws forbidding such unions. To mark this year’s anniversary, the Garners decided to celebrate in style and have the wedding they never had.

[The Story with Dick Gordon will also present an interview with the couple on the June 23 broadcast.]

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Arts & Culture Race Orange County Marriage

Leoneda Inge

Leoneda Inge is WUNC’s race and southern culture reporter, the first public radio journalist in the South to hold such a position. She also is co-host of the podcast Tested and host of the special podcast series, PAULI. Leoneda is the recipient of numerous awards from AP, RTDNA and NABJ. She’s been a reporting fellow in Berlin and Tokyo. You can follow her on Twitter @LeonedaInge.

See stories by Leoneda Inge

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