Black Family Reunion
Fif!!!
(Cue Dave Chappelle)
This is my "fif" article Reunion Features Families- and right now I'm out of assignments. Who knows if I'll get another...who knows. But enjoy, all the same. And come to the event- it's not just for Black families anymore.
August 17, 2006
Section: Features
Edition: Final
Page: 4D
Weekend reunion features music and lots of families
Embrya deShango Enquirer contributor
The third weekend in August can only mean one thing: It's time for the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion at Sawyer Point.
For Kiki Morton of the West End, it is truly a family affair. She plans to take full advantage of the weekend and attend with her sisters.
Although she has taken a break from attending for the last few years, she is coming back this year. "I like the music and sitting in the park and letting the kids run around.
"I love all the African stands," Morton says.
This is the 18th year for the Cincinnati event, which draws families from all over the Midwest for concerts, a town hall meeting and a parade.
Gerald Glaspie, head of public relations for the event, encourages people of all races to attend.
"The Black Family Reunion is definitely one of the better opportunities to experience Afrocentric, African-American family lifestyles," says Glaspie, of Kennedy Heights.
The tradition of the reunion began with Dr. Dorothy Height, now president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women. Height created a celebration of family and community that would emphasize and uplift the strength of the black family.
Cassandra Robinson of Forest Park heard the call: For the past 15 years she has taken charge of organizing and event planning as the head of CassCan Enterprises, Inc. With the assistance of an army of committed volunteers, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion is now among the longest-running and largest, of all the regional reunions, with more than 100,000 expected to attend. Glaspie said that although they don't track where attendees hail from, past events have drawn attendees from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. This year the only other Black Family Reunion will take place in Washington, D.C.
The reunion will include a Saturday afternoon R&B concert featuring the '70s band the Stylistics, and Sunday, Ohio native Dottie Peoples will headline a gospel concert featuring local and regional acts.
Seven pavilions will host themed entertainment and festivities that will run from 1-6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. This year's pavilions include a
Cybervillage; a sports and fitness pavilion; a children's pavilion coordinated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the young adults pavilion, with entertainment, poetry and music.
While admission to the reunion is free, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will discount its admission for those who also attend the reunion. Discounted prices are $9.50; $8, seniors; $6.50, ages 6-12; free to children younger than 6.
Schedule
Friday
Heritage breakfast and opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. at the Vernon Manor Hotel, Avondale; keynote by former Cincinnati City Councilman
Paul Booth Jr.
6 p.m., Town Hall meeting at Jordan Crossing, 7030 Reading Road, Bond Hill, hosted by the Community Action Agency. Speaker: Delores Pressley, author of "Clean Out the Closets in Your Life." Free and open to the public.
Saturday
10 a.m., parade from Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal through the West End to Queensgate Park.
Local funk musician Bootsy Collins hosts the R&B concert at 3 p.m. at Sawyer Point. Deron Bell opens that show, followed by the Stylistics, who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as "You're a Big Girl Now" and "Betcha By Golly, Wow."
8:30 p.m., 25-and-over night at the Apple, 10575 Chester Road, Woodlawn. Includes a wine, cheese and art hour. Comedy by Lav Luv from BET's "Comic View."
Sunday
Pavilions reopen at
1 p.m. at Sawyer Point.
3 p.m., Gospel Explosion begins, featuring Dottie Peoples.
Information: visit www.midwestbfrc.com.Sunday headliner Dottie Peoples
CAPTION: Universal Attractions CAPTION: Saturday's R&B concert at the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion features the Stylistics.
Write, Dammit!
(Cue Dave Chappelle)
This is my "fif" article Reunion Features Families- and right now I'm out of assignments. Who knows if I'll get another...who knows. But enjoy, all the same. And come to the event- it's not just for Black families anymore.
August 17, 2006
Section: Features
Edition: Final
Page: 4D
Weekend reunion features music and lots of families
Embrya deShango Enquirer contributor
The third weekend in August can only mean one thing: It's time for the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion at Sawyer Point.
For Kiki Morton of the West End, it is truly a family affair. She plans to take full advantage of the weekend and attend with her sisters.
Although she has taken a break from attending for the last few years, she is coming back this year. "I like the music and sitting in the park and letting the kids run around.
"I love all the African stands," Morton says.
This is the 18th year for the Cincinnati event, which draws families from all over the Midwest for concerts, a town hall meeting and a parade.
Gerald Glaspie, head of public relations for the event, encourages people of all races to attend.
"The Black Family Reunion is definitely one of the better opportunities to experience Afrocentric, African-American family lifestyles," says Glaspie, of Kennedy Heights.
The tradition of the reunion began with Dr. Dorothy Height, now president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women. Height created a celebration of family and community that would emphasize and uplift the strength of the black family.
Cassandra Robinson of Forest Park heard the call: For the past 15 years she has taken charge of organizing and event planning as the head of CassCan Enterprises, Inc. With the assistance of an army of committed volunteers, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion is now among the longest-running and largest, of all the regional reunions, with more than 100,000 expected to attend. Glaspie said that although they don't track where attendees hail from, past events have drawn attendees from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. This year the only other Black Family Reunion will take place in Washington, D.C.
The reunion will include a Saturday afternoon R&B concert featuring the '70s band the Stylistics, and Sunday, Ohio native Dottie Peoples will headline a gospel concert featuring local and regional acts.
Seven pavilions will host themed entertainment and festivities that will run from 1-6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. This year's pavilions include a
Cybervillage; a sports and fitness pavilion; a children's pavilion coordinated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the young adults pavilion, with entertainment, poetry and music.
While admission to the reunion is free, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will discount its admission for those who also attend the reunion. Discounted prices are $9.50; $8, seniors; $6.50, ages 6-12; free to children younger than 6.
Schedule
Friday
Heritage breakfast and opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. at the Vernon Manor Hotel, Avondale; keynote by former Cincinnati City Councilman
Paul Booth Jr.
6 p.m., Town Hall meeting at Jordan Crossing, 7030 Reading Road, Bond Hill, hosted by the Community Action Agency. Speaker: Delores Pressley, author of "Clean Out the Closets in Your Life." Free and open to the public.
Saturday
10 a.m., parade from Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal through the West End to Queensgate Park.
Local funk musician Bootsy Collins hosts the R&B concert at 3 p.m. at Sawyer Point. Deron Bell opens that show, followed by the Stylistics, who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as "You're a Big Girl Now" and "Betcha By Golly, Wow."
8:30 p.m., 25-and-over night at the Apple, 10575 Chester Road, Woodlawn. Includes a wine, cheese and art hour. Comedy by Lav Luv from BET's "Comic View."
Sunday
Pavilions reopen at
1 p.m. at Sawyer Point.
3 p.m., Gospel Explosion begins, featuring Dottie Peoples.
Information: visit www.midwestbfrc.com.Sunday headliner Dottie Peoples
CAPTION: Universal Attractions CAPTION: Saturday's R&B concert at the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion features the Stylistics.
Write, Dammit!