Event-Wide Content Standards

(All Programs)

Applies to:
Visual art, performances, music/lyrics, multimedia, costumes, choreography, vendor booths, signage, handouts, merch, sponsor materials, and all pre-event promotion (web/social/email).

1. Purpose: A Safe, Family-Friendly Space
   We’re building a community event where everyone—kids, teens, and adults—feels welcome, respected, and safe. Clear standards:
   1. protect youth and families,
   2. keep the environment positive and inclusive,
   3. allow us to showcase uplifting, h
   4. elpful work, products, and services, and
   5. make it easy for schools, families, and partners to participate confidently.
      
      
2. Core Principles
   1. Family-friendly: Suitable for all ages.
   2. Respectful: No degrading or dehumanizing content.
   3. Uplifting & helpful: Spotlight creativity, community, education, health, entrepreneurship, and positive culture.
   4. Legal & compliant: Follow all laws and venue rules—no age-restricted promotions.
   5. Consistency: The same standards apply to every medium and channel.
      
      
3. Standards for Content & Presentation
   1. Language, Lyrics, and Spoken Word
      • No profanity, slurs, hate speech, or harassment.
      • No sexually explicit or suggestive content.
      • No graphic or glorified violence; no threats or intimidation.
      • No promotion of illegal activity.
      • Important: A “clean”/radio edit (bleeps/censors) does not make a piece acceptable if the overall theme remains sexual, violent, or otherwise inappropriate. The full context must be family-friendly.
        
        
   2. Visuals, Costumes, Choreography
      • No nudity, sheer or overly revealing attire; avoid sexually suggestive movement/gestures.
      • No visuals that depict or promote sexual content, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, hate symbols, or graphic violence.
      • Backdrops, projections, reels, slideshows, booth displays, banners, and table setups must meet the same standard.
        
        
   3. Products, Services, Vendors, and Sponsors
      • Prohibited promotions: marijuana/cannabis/THC/CBD, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or related paraphernalia—even if legal for adults.
      • No adult/sexual products or services.
      • No illegal or unsafe goods/services.
      • Encouraged: education, health & wellness, youth programs, financial literacy, arts & culture, career pathways, community services, local small businesses, and positive family resources.
        
        
   4. Tone & Conduct
      • No vulgarity or disrespect toward the venue, community, cultural values, or other participants.
      • Professional, courteous behavior with staff, volunteers, and attendees.
        
        
4. Accessibility & Inclusion (Brief)
   1. Use clear, inclusive language.
   2. Avoid graphic content or themes that could reasonably distress all-ages audiences.
   3. When relevant, provide brief, neutral context for sensitive historical topics and keep visuals age-appropriate.
      
      
5. Submission, Review, and Changes
   1. Everything is reviewed: artwork images, audio tracks/lyrics, scripts, visuals, slides, social posts, booth mockups, and sponsor materials.
   2. Deadlines: Submit by the stated deadline. Late changes (tracks, visuals, costumes, choreo, signage, offers) must be re-approved.
   3. Approval may include required edits, substitutions, or placement changes.
      
      
6. Enforcement
   1. If content doesn’t meet standards, organizers may require edits, remove items/signage, alter the run-of-show, or stop a performance.
   2. Non-compliance can result in ejection without refund and may affect future participation.
   3. Organizers’ decisions are final to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment.
      
      
      

Youth Participation (Minors)

1. Consent
   
   • A parent/guardian must give written approval for participation if the youth is under 18 years old.
     
     
2. Required Supervision
   
   • No drop-offs. The event does not provide check-in/check-out of childcare.
   • Elementary & Middle School: A parent/guardian must be on-site and physically with their child at all times (setup, rehearsal, green room, performance, booth/gallery time, and during the event).
   • No wandering: Youth in these grades may not roam the venue without their parent/guardian.
     
     
3. Who Supervises (Clarity for Safety)
   
   • Only the youth’s own parent/guardian supervises their child.
   • Event staff, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, other performers, and other adults do not supervise minors and are not responsible for childcare.
   • On site security staff, oversees saftey concerns.
4. Boundaries & Conduct
   
   • No private, one-on-one spaces between non-guardian adults and minors.
   • Family-friendly behavior and all event rules apply to youth and their guardians.
5. If a Youth Is Unsupervised
   
   • Security Staff will escort youth to designated lost and found area, where parenta or guardians can recconect with thier youth.
6. Why we do this:
   
   • To maintain a safe, welcoming, family-friendly space and ensure each minor is cared for by the adult who knows them best—their parent or legal guardian.
     
     
     

Why These Standards Matter

1. Safety & trust:
   Families, schools, and partners attend when they know the space is appropriate.
   
   
2. Access & belonging:
   Clear guardrails invite wider participation across ages and backgrounds
   
   
3. Community impact:
   We amplify legal, positive, and helpful offerings that strengthen our neighborhoods.

 

Participant Information

Parent/Guardian Approval For Minors To Participate

 

• High School Students - Self Supervised, and supported Supervision by event Security Staff
• Middle School & Elementary Students - Supervised By Parents

Before submitting your application, please take a moment to review the following guidelines. Your careful attention to these details will help ensure a smooth and successful participation in our upcoming event.

Registration

We encourage all vendors to secure their spot early for a prime location. Please note that our fees do not cover the disposal of hazardous waste, including oils and greases.

Set Up & Shut Down

Vendors are required to set up between 12:00pm. and 2:00pm on Sunday. Vendors are required to bring their own tables and table clothes and Canopies. Prior to setting up, please check in with our event coordinator. For a smooth process, please ensure that vehicles used for off-loading park in the rear of the sanctuary, All sales must conclude by 7:00p.m. on Sunday, followed by packing up by 8:00 p.m.

Vendor Restrictions

• Vendors should be respectful of diverse perspectives and should not promote hate, discrimination, or inappropriate content, including celebrations of drug use, alcohol use, sexual acts or nudity.
• The Event Organizer retain the right of final approval at their sole discretion. This decision is binding and conclusive.
• Vendors that do not follow guidelines in vendor agreement, might not be approved.
• Vendors that are not sensitive to the traditions of the host venue, might not be approved.
• Any vendor that is not approved will be fully refunded
• Any Vendor that shows up on event day to the North County Black Festival, and their branding or products/services are not consistent with what was reviewed and approved by Brandon, might have their vending contract terminated immediately and not be permitted to vend at event.

Confirmation

Upon completion of this contract agreement will be sent your way. Your booth assignment will be given during check-in, along with a map for easy reference. For any inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out to our Event Organizer.

Booth Dimensions

All Vendor spaces measure approximately 10 x 10 feet. If you require more space, please let the event organizer

Refund Policy

Cancellations made before 21 days of event will be refunded 50% . Cancellations made less than 21 days of event, will not be refunded.

Spaces

Booth locations are assigned. To ensure a smooth flow, please ensure that all trailer hitches and appendages fit within your allocated space. Selling activities must occur within the confines of your assigned area.

Exclusivity

Vendors do not have exclusivity rights. We aim to avoid similar food vendors selling identical items in close proximity. 

Health Regulations

The San Diego County Health Department (SDCHD) governs this area entirely. For any queries, please reach out to SDCHD directly at (619) 338-2222.

Food Vendors

Food vendors must obtain a Temporary Food Facility Permit and pay the SDCHD fee. Please ensure that the permit application is submitted at least 30 days before the event. Display a copy of the permit on-site during the event, as health inspectors will be present. You can download the San Diego County "Temporary Food Facility Permit" from

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/deh/fhd/food/cep/tempevent_vendorapp_fp.pdf

Certificate of Insurance (COI)
All adult vendors selling products or services, including food vendors, must provide a Certificate of Insurance to participate as a one-day vendor. You can purchase one-day coverage for about $50 at

insurancecanopy.com/vendor-insurance

Hold Harmless Agreement

Please be aware that My Black City and its partners cannot be held liable for equipment left on the premises or for any lost, stolen, or damaged items, equipment, personal accidents, injuries, etc.

I acknowledge that I have read and agree to be bound by this contract. I commit to abide by all rules, regulations, and agreements as outlined above.

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Thank you for your attention to these details. We look forward to your participation in our event.

1. Who can join: Open to students, staff, and community members of all faith backgrounds.
   
   
2. Repertoire: Traditional or contemporary Black gospel or spirituals—performed respectfully.
   
   
3. Rehearsals: Choirs and soloists prepare independently; we’ll do a line-check on arrival.
   
   
4. Submission (required): Send a recent live performance sample (30–90 sec, single take). Share a link (YouTube/Drive/etc.) and include song title, key, and ensemble size.
   
   
5. Parts & support: singers and musicians welcome. House band can provide simple “mood bed” backing, or you may use a track. If using the band, share click track.
   
   
6. Conduct: Family-friendly, school-appropriate; follow director and stage manager instructions.
   
   
7. Youth safety: Minors need parent/guardian consent; elementary/middle school students must be supervised by their parent/guardian on site at all times.

1. Who can perform: Individuals and groups (dance, singing, spoken word/poetry, oratory/speeches, instruments, unique skills).
   
   
2. Length: Typically 2–4 minutes; minimal setup/teardown.
   
   
3. Content: Family-friendly; credit sources for historical recitations.
   
   
4. Band/Tracks: House band offers simple “mood bed” chord progressions; or bring a clean performance track (USB). If using the House band, send the click track
   
   
5. Safety: No dangerous stunts/open flames; keep blocking clear and safe.
   
   
6. Materials: Provide lyrics/speech text or a short sample if requested for review.
   
   
7. Judging (if used): Evaluated on skill, stage presence, and originality.

1. Theme:
   • Kings & Queens, Celebrating Black history and elegance.
     
     
2. Outfits:
   • Custom, hand-painted looks from recycled wedding dresses (girls) and blazers (boys); African crowns encouraged.
   • You keep it: Girls keep their custom dress; boys keep their custom coats.
     
     
3. Donation:
   • New participants: $65 covers outfit, paint/supplies, and a professional photo.
   • Returning participants: Reuse your previously approved outfit (donation optional).
     
     
4. Approval & Attire:
   • One pre-fitted outfit; submit a photo wearing your attire for approval; no outfit changes during the event.
     
     
5. Hair & Makeup:
   • Self-provided (no on-site services).
     
     
6. Backstage & Safety:
   • Keep valuables with you; after photos, change/clean up your area. Choose safe footwear; manage long trains/heels responsibly.