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Jeffrey Osborne To Headline Black Family Reunion

The event, now in it's 30th year, has a number of events happening at area locations August 17-19, including one like this at Sawyer Point.
Courtesy
/
Midwest Black Family Reunion
The event, now in it's 30th year, has a number of events happening at area locations August 17-19, including one like this at Sawyer Point.

The Black Family Reunion, a concept started nationally decades ago to celebrate the strengths and values of African-American families, lives on in Cincinnati - its only location now. During a news conference Tuesday, CEO Tracey Artis announced the theme for the August 17-19 event as "A People of Purpose."

Singer-songwriter Jeffrey Osborne will peform at Sawyer Point on the second day of the reunion. 

Artis says one of the reasons the free event lives on is because it is meaningful to many.

"I met a family last year that the mother wanted to thank me because she was able to get five book bags for her children," Artis said. "That was because of the YMCA and other generous sponsors who made sure we were able to give away 1,000 book bags."

New this year is a sports pavillion at Sawyer Point where there will be boxing and basketball. Sawyer Point is also the site of for health screenings. There will be a job fair at the Sharonville Convention Center and a parade in Avondale.

Here is the schedule of events for the :

Friday August 17th:

Opening Ceremony & Heritage Breakfast

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Elliott Cufff, Sr. Pastor of Lincoln Heights Baptist Church

Word of Deliverance Church, 693 Fresno Road, Forest Park

9-10:30 a.m. (doors open at 8:30)

Community Job Fair

Sharonville Convention Center, 1355 Chester Road

11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Punching of Peace

"Put down the guns, pick up the gloves," where professional boxers spar with local youth

Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way

6-10 p.m. 

Saturday, August 18th

Headline Performer: Jeffrey Osborne (expected to perform between 6 and 7 p.m.)

Sawyer Point

Noon-8 p.m.

Black Family Reunion Parade

Departing from the Avondale Town Center, 3529 Reading Road

10-11:30 a.m.

Sunday, August 19th

Headline Performer: Marvin Sapp (expected to perform between 6 and 7 p.m.)

Sawyer Point

Noon-8 p.m. 

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With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.