Petition to Establish a Dedicated Budget Line Item for Large-Scale African Heritage Events
To: The Mayor and City Council of Annapolis

We, the undersigned — now more than 218 Annapolis residents and growing — call upon the City of Annapolis to take decisive action and establish a dedicated annual budget line item of no less than $100,000 to support large-scale African heritage and cultural events serving more than 10,000 attendees each year.

Annapolis proudly promotes its history and tourism economy. Yet the African American heritage events that help define this city’s cultural identity must compete annually for limited discretionary grants, placing cornerstone community events at financial risk year after year.

This model is unsustainable.

The Events Impacted Include:
Juneteenth Celebration
Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival
Family Day
4 The Culture Fest (launching 2026)
These are not small programs. They are large-scale public events that:

Attract thousands of residents and visitors
Drive measurable tourism and hospitality revenue
Support local vendors and Black-owned businesses
Provide employment and contracting opportunities
Strengthen Annapolis’ reputation as a culturally rich destination
 
The Financial Reality
In a $203 million operating budget, a $100,000 allocation represents less than 0.05% of total city spending.

The question is not whether Annapolis can afford this investment.

The question is whether it is willing to prioritize it.

 
Regional Context
Cities across Maryland have moved beyond symbolic recognition and into structural investment.

Baltimore, for example, allocates millions of dollars annually toward arts, cultural infrastructure, and major African American heritage programming, including significant support for AFRAM and dedicated cultural offices.

These investments are not viewed as optional — they are recognized as economic drivers and pillars of civic identity.

Annapolis should not lag behind regional standards when it comes to supporting African heritage events that consistently deliver cultural and economic value.

 
Accountability & Standards
This proposal includes clear eligibility safeguards:

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
Demonstrated operational budgets exceeding $50,000
Transparent financial reporting
Post-event impact and attendance documentation
Public dollars would be protected, measurable, and responsibly managed.

 
A Call for Action
We respectfully but firmly urge the Mayor and City Council to:

Establish a recurring Cultural Heritage Event Stabilization Fund
Allocate $100,000+ annually beginning in the next fiscal cycle
Formalize eligibility and reporting standards
This is not about competition or special treatment.

It is about equity in investment.
It is about economic strategy.
It is about honoring Annapolis’ full history — not selectively funding it.

The community has spoken. We now look to city leadership to respond with action.

Sincerely,
4 The Culture Inc.
On behalf of 218+ Annapolis residents and supporters