Denver’s annual Juneteenth Music Festival, a celebration of Black culture in the Five Points neighborhood, will be condensed to a single day this year due to an $80,000 funding shortfall. The festival, scheduled for Sunday, June 15th, is organized by JMF Corporation led by entrepreneur Norman Harris. The funding gap was caused by a decline in corporate sponsorships, with long-time sponsors pulling out for unspecified reasons.
Major sponsors like Coors Light did not respond to requests for comment, while Xcel Energy confirmed its continued support for the festival. Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, a key nonprofit sponsor, increased its funding to $20,000 this year. Despite financial challenges, the festival will still highlight live music, a parade, and Black-owned businesses.
The decision to reduce the festival’s duration is not definitively linked to a retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at businesses and foundations. Bonfils-Stanton remains committed to supporting diverse arts and culture organizations, emphasizing their dedication to creating a thriving and just Denver.
To help bridge the funding gap, people are encouraged to donate to the festival through its website. Despite setbacks, the organizers are determined to uphold the festival’s mission of unity and celebration, showcasing the vibrant culture of Five Points. For more entertainment news and updates, readers can subscribe to the In The Know newsletter.
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