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Organizer says Medford Juneteenth drew 1,000+ attendees and advanced economic opportunities for Black businesses

5412600 · July 2, 2025
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Summary

Vance Beech of BASE told the council the Juneteenth celebration in Medford drew more than 1,000 attendees and included 75 vendors — many Black‑owned — and asked the city to consider increasing support beyond logistical sponsorships and rental waivers.

Vance Beech, founder and executive director of Black Alliance in Social Empowerment (BASE), told the City Council on July 2 that Medford’s Juneteenth event drew record attendance and provided economic and cultural benefits to Black entrepreneurs and youth.

"This year's Juneteenth celebration...drew record breaking attendance, with over a thousand people coming together from all over the state, to celebrate culture, freedom and unity right here in the heart of Medford," Beech said. He described features including live drumming, youth‑led speeches, cultural education and more than 75 vendors, many of them Black‑owned.

Beech thanked the city for sponsorship support that covered logistics — parking staff, street closures, police and public works overtime and waiver of Pearblossom Park rental fees — and characterized that support as both practical and symbolic. "Your sponsorship...says we see you. They say we value this," he said.

Beech said the event served as a platform for economic empowerment and community connection, with nonprofits, health providers and educators engaging attendees. He closed by asking the council to not only continue support but to consider growing it, saying "what we're building together is bigger than a day. It's a movement."

Councilors thanked Beech and noted widespread community interest. No formal action was taken; Beech’s presentation was submitted as a community update and a request for continued and increased city partnership.

BASE described broader programming beyond Juneteenth including youth mentorship, cultural education, collaborations with multiple local police departments on relationship building, business directories for entrepreneurs and seasonal cultural celebrations such as Kwanzaa and Black History Month.