The Mount Vernon City Council voted against a proposed street closure for the Wakanda celebration on Aug. 13, 2025, after a heated public comment period in which organizers and neighbors disputed the event's location, parking and funding.

Organizers of the event and several neighbors told council members the Wakanda celebration is a cultural event with neighborhood support. "This event has caused no disruption to the block whatsoever. There's never been any trash. There's never been any fights," said Anne Hill, a resident and supporter. Dr. Deborah Diamond, a board member of the Wakanda celebration, said the organizers hold signed petitions from residents in the immediate area and that a Mount Vernon City School District single-use facility permit was available if the event used school parking.

Council members said they broadly support the Wakanda event but opposed the requested street closure on Hawthorne Terrace and Euclid Avenue because of safety, parking and logistics concerns. "City council totally supports the Wakanda... Having it on that particular and shutting down that street, I am not in support of," Councilwoman Caitlin Gleason said. Acting Council President Derek Thompson said he wanted the event to happen but voted against the street closure as presented: "I'll say no. And, I am still trying to help get this event to happen. I offered to get into the school district as well as the park."

The vote on the ordinance authorizing the hosting of the Wakanda celebration (agenda item 1) was taken by roll call after public comment. Councilman Jevon Bocksfield, Councilwoman Gleason and Acting Council President Thompson each voted no, and the measure failed.

Organizers and council members disputed whether sufficient funding or permits existed for alternate locations. Council members said city records show the event received $20,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds last year that were described in grant materials as two-year funding; they also said the event had received county support in July. Organizers said the funds had been largely committed to artist fees, security, equipment and a sound system, and that some county funding had not yet been delivered in full. Dr. Diamond said a single-use facility permit from the Mount Vernon City School District was in hand and that this year’s celebration would be ticketed and limited in size.

Council members offered alternative sites they said would be safer or provide more parking, including Traphagen School, Brush Park, Hartley Park and Benjamin Turner School parking. Organizers rejected some alternate locations during the meeting. Councilwoman Gleason said staff and council had been in contact with organizers and that the council had tried to place the event at schools or parks in prior years to mitigate parking and safety concerns.

Following the vote the council noted the event remains on the agenda and that further action or a second vote could be required to authorize different event logistics. No new authorization was passed at the Aug. 13 meeting.

Why it matters: The decision keeps the Wakanda celebration from closing the requested neighborhood street for the event as proposed, but council members emphasized they support the cultural celebration and offered to help organizers find alternatives. Organizers said uncertainty about venue and funding could threaten the event's continuation.

Organizers, residents and the council indicated further meetings will be needed to resolve venue, funding and permit issues if Wakanda is to proceed in Mount Vernon.