The 34th annual Black Family Reunion returns to Cincinnati. Here's what you should know

Come one, come all to the 34th annual Midwest Black Family Reunion.

The four-day celebration, which will have its central location at Sawyer Point Park, will take place throughout Cincinnati from Aug. 18-21. "Bold and beautiful" is the theme for this year's festivities.

The celebration kicks off with a job fair at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati on Thursday. There will also be a historic tour of Black Cincinnati, a grand parade and many more events throughout the four days.

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“The Black Family Reunion is back for our 34th year, and we are excited to be continuing the tradition of celebrating the Black family here in Cincinnati. We want to show the dynamic and rich aspects of our culture here in Cincinnati and plan to do that with our theme this year of bold and beautiful,” said Tracey Artis, executive director of Black Family Reunion.

History of Black family reunions

The National Council of Negro Women, led by Dr. Dorothy Height, founded the National Black Family Reunion Celebration to celebrate and recognize the strength of the African American family. The Cincinnati event is held annually on the third weekend of August at Sawyer Point Park and other sites across the city.

Historically, the rituals of Black family reunions (i.e., cookouts, line-dancing and matching t-shirts) date back to chattel slavery when enslaved families were often separated by their slave owners, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

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After the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, which guaranteed enslaved individuals their freedom, many African Americans sought to reunite with lost family members. Their efforts highlighted the importance of family to their status as free people.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 Black Family Reunion.

34th annual Black Family Reunion event schedule

Thursday, Aug. 18

BFR Job Fair: Hard Rock Casino, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

BFR Speaker Series (featuring professor Eric Michael Dyson): Corinthian Baptist Church, 7-9 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19

BFR Kickoff Breakfast (featuring Iris Roley): Fountain Square, 9-11 a.m.

Historic Tour of Black Cincinnati (featuring professor Eric Jackson): Bus leaves from Fountain Square following the Heritage Breakfast, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20

Black Family Reunion Parade (featuring Orlando Chapman): Avondale Town Center, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Lando's Old School Happy Hour: Yateman's Cove/Sawyer Park, 3-7 p.m.

BFR Urban Concert (featuring Raheem DeVaughn): Sawyer Point Park, 12-8 p.m. (performances begin at 6 p.m.)

Sunday, Aug. 21

BFR Morning Church Service (featuring Donnie McClurkin and Ernest Pugh): Sawyer Point Park Amphitheater, 10-11:30 p.m.

BFR Gospel Concert (featuring The Clark Sisters): Sawyer Point Park, 12-8 p.m. (performances begin at 6 p.m.)

Jazz Alley Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 20

DJ Kool Ken, 1:30 p.m.

Ric Sexton, 2:00 p.m.

Y.O.L.O Band, 2:30 p.m.

Ed Thomas, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21

DJ Terrie B. Cold & the Stepper Foundation, 1:00 p.m.

Pure Chemistry, 2:00 p.m.

JB Saxy, 3:00 p.m.

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The four-day celebration will also include back-to-school giveaways, a daily games pavilion, a spiritual and inspiration tent and more.

Meet the 2022 Black Family Reunion Family of the Year

Each year, the Black Family Reunion board selects a family to honor based on their commitment to strengthening our city through community service. Phillip and Gail Holloman and their two children, Jamia and Desmond, will be honored at several events this year.

The Holloman family has been a pillar of Cincinnati’s Black community, supporting and contributing to many Black businesses and causes and advocating for social justice.

The Holloman family established the 7 Principles Foundation in 2019, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations specializing in childhood development, job training for adults and social equity advocacy. The family also operates 7 Principles Investment Group, which promotes sustainable lifestyles and generational wealth. The group invests in residential and commercial real estate, the stock market, cryptocurrency and private equity funds.

The Hollomans have provided time and financial support to the Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, the University of Cincinnati, Men of Honor Cincinnati, YWCA Greater Cincinnati, 3R Development, Black Leadership Forum, United Missionary Baptist Church, Lighthouse Youth and Family Services and the Minority Business Accelerator. The family also established the J. Phillip Holloman Endowment Fund to assist minority-owned businesses.

For more information about the 34th annual Midwest Black Family Reunion, visit its website.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's everything you should know about the 2022 Black Family Reunion