Cincinnati's signature Black family celebration is coming back to the riverfront next week, bringing four days of music, food, health resources and family programming to downtown and Sawyer Point. The Midwest Black Family Reunion is entering its 38th year under the theme “Resounding Resilience,” framing the event as both a festival and a civic homecoming.
The reunion runs next Thursday through Sunday, with its main footprint at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, according to the Cincinnati Parks Department. The city lists the celebration as free and open to the public, with programming scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
Parade, concerts And Community Resources Fill The Weekend
The four-day lineup is expected to include a parade, job fair, health screenings, a historic tour of Black Cincinnati, a college tour, live concerts and a marketplace featuring local businesses. WVXU reported that organizers see the event as a way to strengthen the Black community while creating opportunities for education, wellness and economic support.
Saturday’s parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. near The Banks and head toward Sawyer Point, according to Visit Cincy. The tourism group’s event guide also lists a Saturday evening performance by Kenny Lattimore and a Sunday gospel concert featuring John P. Kee, along with children’s programming and family activities.
A Cincinnati Tradition Built To Keep Generations Connected
The Midwest Black Family Reunion traces its roots to 1988, when civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height helped establish the Cincinnati celebration. Organizers say the event has grown into one of the country’s longest-running Black family reunions, attracting more than 15,000 attendees over the weekend and remaining free through sponsorships and donations, according to the reunion’s organizers.
Executive Director Tracey Artis told WLWT that the celebration honors the strength, resilience and contributions of Black families while welcoming the broader Cincinnati community. The event’s return gives families another chance to plan reunions around the same weekend, turning the riverfront into a giant shared family calendar.
