Building Stronger Families
BFR 365 Movement
BFR 365 is the year-round extension of the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion, created to celebrate Family, Community, and Culture beyond the annual event. It highlights the people, organizations, resources, and partnerships working throughout the year to strengthen families and build healthier, more connected communities.
BFR Speaks
Resounding Resilience
Experience the largest family-centered event focused on the Black family in the US. Resounding Resilience.
Heritage Breakfast
Resounding Resilience
Experience the largest family-centered event focused on the Black family in the US. Resounding Resilience.
First Financial Convention Center
525 Elm St • Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
BFR Lounge
Rekindling Our Spirit: Relax. Connect. Celebrate.
The BFR Lounge offers a welcoming space to gather, recharge, and build meaningful connections throughout the weekend.
BFR Parade
Marching Together. Rising Together.
The BFR Parade is a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and collective pride.
BFR Cultural Celebration
Resounding Resilience
Experience the largest family-centered event focused on the Black family in the US. Resounding Resilience.
Urban Concert Series
Resounding Resilience
Experience the largest family-centered event focused on the Black family in the US. Resounding Resilience.
POST-EVENT RELEASE
38th Annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebrates Family, Culture, Community and “Resounding Resilience”
CINCINNATI, OH – August 2026 – The 38th Annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion concluded an inspiring four-day celebration in Cincinnati, bringing families, community leaders, businesses, faith organizations, artists and visitors together for a powerful weekend centered on family, culture and community.
Held August 13–16, 2026, this year’s Black Family Reunion embraced the theme “Resounding Resilience,” honoring the strength, perseverance and enduring legacy of Black families.
Presented by TriHealth, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion continued the vision established by civil rights icon Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who founded the Black Family Reunion Celebration to uplift the Black family and celebrate its contributions to America.
Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in experiences designed not only to entertain, but also to educate, connect, inspire and strengthen the community.
Programming included BFR Speaks, the Heritage Breakfast, BFR College Tour, African American Historic Tour, BFR Lounge, Job Fair, BFR Parade, BFR at Sawyer Point, health and wellness resources, financial literacy programming, family activities, live entertainment and worship experiences.
A Weekend of Powerful Voices and Celebration
BFR Speaks welcomed nationally respected pastor and author Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, continuing the Reunion’s commitment to creating spaces for meaningful conversations about faith, family, history, resilience and the future of our community.
The weekend also featured outstanding entertainment and special guests, including Kenny Lattimore, John P. Kee, Aarin Ray, Vince Stroud & The Fellas, and other local and national talent.
The annual BFR Parade brought families, organizations, community groups and supporters together along Cincinnati’s riverfront before the celebration continued at Sawyer Point.
This year, the Reunion proudly recognized individuals, families and organizations whose legacies exemplify service and excellence. Honorees included the Dr. Thomas and Lillie Shockley Family, named BFR Family of the Year, and Stephanie Byrd, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Reunion also celebrated the Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for 75 years of service and Le Birdies Golf Club for 50 years of community impact.
More Than a Festival
For 38 years, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion has served as more than an annual festival. It is a gathering place where generations connect, history is honored, resources are shared, businesses are supported and families are strengthened.
“This year’s theme, Resounding Resilience, reminded us that our strength as a people is not silent — it echoes through generations,” said Tracey Artis, Executive Director of the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion. “We are grateful for every family, volunteer, sponsor, community partner, artist, speaker and organization that helped make this year’s Reunion possible. We gathered to celebrate, but we also gathered to leave stronger, more connected and more committed to one another.”
The Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion extends special appreciation to presenting sponsor TriHealth, along with Fifth Third Bank, First Financial Bank, Procter & Gamble and the many corporations, organizations and community partners whose support helped make the 2026 celebration possible.
The Legacy Continues
As the 38th annual celebration comes to a close, the work of strengthening families and communities continues.
The Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion looks forward to its 39th annual celebration, August 19–22, 2027, under the theme:
“Thriving Together”
The theme reflects the next chapter of the Reunion — moving forward together, building upon our resilience and creating opportunities for Black families and communities to not simply survive, but thrive.
Family. Culture. Community.
For information and updates about the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion, visit www.myblackfamilyreunion.org.
About the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion
The Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion is an annual celebration dedicated to strengthening and celebrating Black families through culture, education, health, economic empowerment, faith, entertainment and community engagement. Inspired by the vision of Dr. Dorothy I. Height, the Cincinnati celebration continues to bring generations together while honoring the past and building toward the future.
Parade Winners 2026
- Best Sorority — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter
- Best Fraternity — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Cincinnati Alumni Chapter
- Best Community Organization — Brothas Inc.
- Best Band — Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
- Largest Band — Winton Woods High School Band
Why BFR Matters
A National Cultural Institution
The Midwest Black Family Reunion (MWBFR) has evolved from an event into a national cultural institution. Based in Cincinnati OH, this is the last standing BFR in the nation that is part of the original national network started by the National Council of Negro Women and Dorothy Height in 1988. Cincinnati’s historic role in the pursuit of freedom makes it a special region to host this platform.
We invite you to join us this August for a four-day journey of leadership, recognition, and joyous celebration.
Weekend Highlights
The 6 Pillars
BFR Speaks
Time: 7:00 PM
Corinthian Baptist Church
Keynote and leadership conversations with featured speakers, including Dr. Otis Moss III, during a Community Town Hall and Resource Forum.
Heritage Breakfast
Time: 8:30 AM
New Location
First Financial Convention Center
525 Elm St • Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Join us for a morning of inspiration and community at the annual Heritage Breakfast presented by Fifth Third Bank.
BFR Lounge
Time: 12:00 PM
First Financial Bank Innovation Center
Experience the BFR Lounge, a newly renovated community hub honoring Atty. Fanon A. Rucker, featuring networking, culture, and connection.
BFR Parade
Time: 11:00 am
Mehring Way, Cincinnati (Ends at the park). 2026 Grand Marshal: Scotty Johnson
Celebrate culture and community at the annual BFR Parade, bringing families, organizations, and performers together in a vibrant citywide procession.
Saturday · August 15 – Sunday · August 16
BFR Cultural Celebration
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sawyer Point Park
Enjoy a full day of family-friendly programming, vendors, community activations, and live entertainment leading into the evening Main Stage concert.
Saturday · August 15 – Sunday · August 16
BFR Music Series
Time: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Sawyer Point Park
Featured Artists: Kenny Lattimore, John P. Kee
Featuring: Arin Ray, Vince & The Fellas, Judah Band
Hosted by: Lando, Jevonta Akintunde, Lakeisa Ealy
Community & Leadership
2026 Honoree Spotlight
Stephanie Wright Byrd
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Retired, Regional CEO for Central and Southern Ohio, The American Red Cross
Scotty Johnson
2026 BFR Parade Grand Marshal
President Pro Tempore, Councilmember, City of Cincinnati
Fanon A. Rucker, Esq.
BFR Lounge Honoree
Managing Attorney, The Cochran Firm & Retired Judge
Deborah J Green-Boone
Community Impact Honoree
Visionary Entrepreneur, Community Advocate, and Cancer Foundation Founder
Beyond the Reunion
Join the BFR 365 Movement
BFR 365 is the year-round extension of the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion, created to celebrate Family, Community, and Culture beyond the annual event. It highlights the people, organizations, resources, and partnerships working throughout the year to strengthen families and build healthier, more connected communities.
Our Partners
Sponsors & Supporters
We are proud to recognize the organizations and businesses whose support helps make Black Family Reunion possible.
TriHealth
AARP
Agape Love Ministries
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alta Fiber
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
American Red Cross
Acts 1:8 Services
African American Chamber of Commerce
Altev Community Pharmacy
Corinthian Baptist Church
Childrens Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati Herald
Cincinnati OH Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC)
Cincinnati State
Cincinnati Works
Cintas
City of Cincinnati
Closing The Health Gap
Community Action Agency
Cheisi USA
The Cochran Firm – Cincinnati
Fifth Third
First Financial Bank
Goodwill
Ohio Valley
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
GRO Community
Huntington Bank
Hamilton County Department of ReEntry
Hamilton County Juvenile Court
Interact for Health
Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc
Kroger
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
Miami University
Metro
MCKESSON
Nissan
NAACP
National Black Meeting Professionals
National Council of Negro Women Inc.
Network for Hope
Ohio Kings
Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
PNC Bank
Procter & Gamble
Sherrod Brown for Ohio
Serve Church
Sigma Gamma Rho
Superior Job Fairs
Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Home
The Pike 2 Bar & Grille
TriVersity
UC Health
UMADAOP
University of Cincinnati
US Bank
Verizon
Village of Woodlawn
Visit Cincy
Walker Funeral Home
Western Southern Financial Group