Bend Quietly Considered Pulling Funding for Sole Juneteenth Event Over Facebook Post – OPB

In spring 2025, Bend's only Juneteenth celebration nearly lost its city funding due to a Facebook post by organizer Joslyn Stanfield. This story details the timeline of miscommunications and missteps between city officials and event organizers, highlighting ongoing tensions around inclusion, race, and community support in Central Oregon. At its heart, the article asks whether Bend can truly live up to its stated values of diversity and belonging.

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1. The Facebook Post That Sparked Concern

A few weeks before Central Oregon's only Juneteenth event, Joslyn Stanfield got a surprising phone call. A community member told her that some city employees were considering withdrawing funding for the Juneteenth celebration because of something she posted on Facebook. Understandably, Stanfield was shocked:

"That was very shocking and upsetting,"

she said.

This was especially troubling because another group had already canceled a larger Juneteenth event out of fear for the safety of Black attendees.

Stanfield and her co-organizer, Kasia Moon, had stepped up to organize the only remaining Juneteenth event, hoping to bring joy, celebration, and community to Black residents in Bend. Now, it appeared that a post criticizing white people who had harmed Black residents might cost them much-needed city support.

While Stanfield and Moon eventually did receive funding, the delay brought deeper questions about the city's understanding of the Black experience in Central Oregon and whether officials could deliver on the promise of a more inclusive community.

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2. How City Funding for Events Works

The City of Bend sponsors community events that help reach parts of the population they otherwise struggle to engage. As Meghan Goss, a city staffer, explained, Bend supports events that align with its goals and values.

With more than $225,000 budgeted for event sponsorships, the city backs a variety of gatherings such as the Fourth of July parade, Veterans Day parade, Welcoming Week, Bend Pride, and, of course, Juneteenth.

These events fit with Bend's commitment to being seen as an inclusive city, and officials often make public gestures—like displaying the pride flag and honoring different communities with official proclamations. However, sponsoring public events sometimes pulls city leaders into difficult conversations about personal beliefs, long-standing community tensions, and racial equity.

It's rare for Bend to pull funding, but it's not unheard of. For example, in 2024, the city rescinded support for a Christmas parade because organizers wouldn't let a local fellowship march under flags supporting Black and LGBTQIA+ communities.

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3. The Impact of Threats and the Roots of Juneteenth in Bend

For Joslyn Stanfield, Juneteenth is much more than a historical milestone—it's a day to celebrate Black culture, joy, and resilience. She helped organize Bend's first Juneteenth in 2020 and had also worked for racial justice in neighboring towns where racist symbols and unwelcoming attitudes still linger.

This year, Stanfield and Moon wanted the event to be less about education and more about joy—providing opportunities for Black-owned small businesses and creating a space for connection.

Everything changed in late May when Stanfield shared a candid message on Facebook about who was welcome at the event. She wrote:

"If you as a white person have EVER fixed your mouth to disrespect the Black women who got the ball rolling in Central Oregon… you are not invited to a celebration meant to uplift us,"

Her mention of "invited" and "white" triggered concern among city leadership, who convened an urgent meeting to consider whether this violated sponsorship rules.

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4. Complaint and City Response

The Facebook post caught the attention of Brenda Betsch Parazoo, who quickly contacted Mayor Melanie Kebler and requested that the city pull its support for Juneteenth. On the very same day, the city had just finished the sponsorship agreement with Stanfield.

When senior city staff—including City Manager Eric King—caught wind of the complaint, they acted fast. King wrote:

"If true, the statements on social media referenced below, would be a violation of the use of sponsorship funds according to our current policy."

Funding for the event was put on hold while the city investigated, leaving Stanfield and Moon uncertain and unable to pay performers or reserve the venue with just two weeks to go before Juneteenth.

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5. Communication Breakdown

The city discussed reaching out to Stanfield for clarification about her post, but, as she later revealed, no one ever actually contacted her:

"They could have called me, the city has my number,"

she said.

Had anyone asked, they would have learned that she had already posted a follow-up the same day clarifying that everyone was welcome at Juneteenth:

"Never once — literally not once — have I ever stated that all white people aren't allowed at the upcoming Juneteenth celebration in Bend, Oregon. What I have stated — and stand by — is that white people who have felt comfortable showing their racism, hate, misogynoir and prejudice are NOT welcome at a Juneteenth event. The event isn't for them. That is on period."

King said he never saw this clarification, admitting:

"If he had, he said, that would have cleared things up for him and he wouldn't have held back the $5,000 check."

The delay directly impacted the event, making it harder to pay Black performers and settle necessary expenses in time.

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6. Delayed Payment and Awkward Meetings

Stanfield and Moon finally received their check just two weeks ahead of Juneteenth, but not before a tense pre-event planning meeting. The organizers were asked directly to confirm the event was open to all residents, which made the atmosphere uncomfortable.

Stanfield described it like this:

"They looked at me and they were like, 'We need to confirm that this event is open and welcome to everybody,' … 'yeah, it is.'"

Kathi Barguil, the city's community relations manager who is Afro-Latina, was prompted by her colleagues to ask Stanfield about inclusiveness. Reflecting on the situation, she said:

"The organizers carried forth with strength, determination, and unabashed expression – I am encouraged by their execution of such a powerful and love-filled Juneteenth event this year, that centered and celebrated Black community,"

Despite the hurdles, Stanfield and Moon made the event a success, though the process left them questioning the city's understanding and commitment.

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7. Looking Ahead: Juneteenth in Bend's Future

Stanfield left the ordeal feeling that true liberation for Black people won't come from official channels, but from grassroots community strength. She shared:

"It was definitely a reminder that the power and the liberation for Black people lies in community and it lies in the grassroots networks that we build. I got burned for a second, put my hand on the stove, but that's alright — I wanted to give them [the city] a chance."

Next year, she plans to organize Juneteenth without the City of Bend's financial backing—relying instead on community resilience and support.

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Conclusion

This episode revealed deep misunderstandings between city leadership and the very communities they aim to support. For Joslyn Stanfield and many others, true progress means recognizing lived experiences and building inclusive spaces—not just in words, but in practice. The story of Bend's Juneteenth event is a reminder of the ongoing work needed to create a city where everyone feels embraced, respected, and safe. ✊🏽