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Receipt and Filing of a Report Recapping the Juneteenth 2025 Celebration.
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela/Special Event Manager
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - MLK Celebration and Juneteenth Advisory Committee(10/09/2025); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (10/09/2025)
Department Approval: Elaine Gerety-Warner, Economic Development Director (10/09/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee receive and file the report recapping the Juneteenth 2025 Celebration.
BACKGROUND
The 2025 Juneteenth Celebration was held at Ivy Station Event Lawn on June 21, 2025, to commemorate the historical significance of Juneteenth as a day of freedom and cultural pride. The event was designed to highlight Black culture, art, and community, featuring live performances, family-friendly activities, and local vendors.
DISCUSSION
The celebration featured musical performances by the Top Shelf Brass Band and BriJolie featuring Tarron Crayton (QBL, LLC), engaging the community through live entertainment and cultural expression. In addition to performances, the event offered book and doll giveaways promoting youth literacy and cultural representation. Dulan’s Food Truck provided 250 complimentary meals, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all attendees.
Event Highlights:
• Attendance exceeded expectations, with approximately five hundred (500) attendees and strong engagement from our community partners.
• Positive feedback was received on the venue layout, performance, and youth-focused activities.
• The partnership with Ivy station proved beneficial due to the waived facility rental and accessibility.
Budget Summary:

The total expenses for the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration were $20,721.63, with $20,000.00 allocated from City funding. The resulting $721.63 overage was due to production and performance costs that slightly exceeded projections.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the Economic Development Division within the City Manager’s Office includes provisions for Juneteenth Celebration of $15,000.00 with an addition funding of $5000.00 for Martin Luther King Jr Celebration if needed from account 10116100 (General Fund Non-Departmental).
ATTACHMENTS
None
MOTION
That the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Juneteenth Celebration Advisory Committee
Receive and file the report.