On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will look to approve $45k to host a Juneteenth event within the City of Brentwood.
If approved, the city will begin planning a four-hour Juneteenth event on June 19, 2024 with a not-to-exceed amount of $45k while also cancelling a single concert in the park event (the June 21 concert) and shift that money to the Juneteenth event—an event known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
Previously, the council supported the idea of funding Juneteenth at a cost of $30k, however, the event is expected to be $45k. The $30k would be funded by the existing FY 2023/24 General Fund budget. The remaining cost of $15k would be expended from the Parks and Recreation Concert in the Park budget.
Although the 4EverMe non-profit applied to host a Juneteenth event, the council directed staff to determine if the 4EverMe non-profit would instead want to partner or accept a consulting fee—the staff report indicated that 4EverMe has not indicated any interest in assisting the city led effort.
According to the staff report, Council Member Pa’tanisha Pierson met with City staff to plan and organize activities for this year’s celebration. At the suggestion of Council Member Pierson, staff will be working with Errol Jackson Enterprise, LLC.
Plans for the event include reaching out to local organizations to:
- “table” and provide information and resources to the community,
- a Freedom Walk through Downtown
- Brentwood with information about Black History,
- a vendor craft fair,
- mobile food vendors,
- local performers,
- musical entertainment in City Park.
Brentwood Councilmember Pa’Tanisha Pierson highlights the improtance of Juneteenth
Previous Actions:
On February 14, 2023, Council Member Pierson requested a future agenda item relating to the possible creation of events to be held in conjunction with certain proclamations.
On March 28, 2023, the City Council directed staff to spend time and resources the possible creation of events to be held in conjunction with certain proclamations and to review possible events to tie to the proclamation list, and review possible updates to the grant applications.
On February 13, 2024, the City Council directed staff to:
- Hold a Juneteenth event in Brentwood on June 19, 2024
- Appoint Council Member Pierson as liaison to work with Park & Recreation staff on the 2024 event, with no need to return to full Council for approval
- Cancel the planned June 21, 2024, Concert in the Park
- Repurpose June 21, 2024 Concert in the Park event funds for Juneteenth event
- City to contribute $30,000 from the General Fund to the event
- Determine if 4EverMe wanted to either (a) partner with City or (b) accept consultant fee (or other type of compensation) for 2024 event
- Have a conversation regarding raising City budget next year
- Recognize Juneteenth as an annual event to be hosted by the City of Brentwood and have conversation regarding scope of future Juneteenth events
Brentwood City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
150 City Park Way Brentwood, CA 94513
Full Agenda – click here
Previous Stories:
- February 15 – Brentwood Agrees to Move Forward With Juneteenth Event
3 comments
On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will look to approve $45k to host a Juneteenth event that won’t cover the looting or property damage.
An absolute waste of money further promoting racism.
Brentwood will be Antioch in a few years.
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