NCNW Hosts 26th Annual Black Family Reunion Celebration to Show Community Unity and Pride.
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) hosted/sponsored the 26th Annual Black Family Reunion Celebration on the National Mall Saturday, September 10th to promote the positive image of the black family and community. The “One Day Mega Festival” featured themed pavilions that displayed African-American businesses and organizations. Pavilion themes included health, education, economic empowerment, teen issues, family values, social needs, and other issues that are prevalent in the black community. When walking towards the National Mall the first thing visitors to the NCNW notice is the live music performed by local groups and the numerous pavilions that are offering a variety of services. “I’ve been bringing my boys to the Black Family Reunion since they were about 7 or 8” said Karen Rush, a teacher at Harris Patricia Public School, “So I’ve been coming to this event for over 20 years, and I love it. Rush said she enjoys visiting the community organization pavilions, tasting the ethnic foods, and the international atmosphere of the Celebration.”It’s like the black consortium and often city council members come through and talk to the people” she said.
The Black Family Reunion Celebration is an annual event scheduled for the 2nd weekend in September and is sponsored by companies and organizations that often showcase their products and services. This year, Kaiser Permanente, Colgate, Mc Donald’s, and many local businesses showed their support for the Celebration. The Black Family Reunion was developed by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, the late Chair and President Emerita (NCNW), in response to the negative publicity regarding "the vanishing Black family". Dr. Dorothy I. Height wanted to find a way to cast a positive light on the black family and she was dedicated to do so by creating a culturally-based event that would celebrate the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African-American family. The driving goal behind The Black Family Reunion Celebration was that this event would serve as a rallying point for government agencies, private and public sector institutions, corporations, community-based organizations and families of all ethnicities to work together on solutions for issues affecting families. Dr. Height’s idea was realized when NCNW hosted the first Black Family Reunion Celebration (BFRC) in 1986, and this year’s program agenda combined service, information and entertainment with workshops, issue forums, exhibits, health checks and demonstrations .
The celebration began with the Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, which started at 8:00a.m and ended at 11a.m. The fee for attending the Prayer Breakfast was $40 per ticket. During the breakfast Rev. Dr Jamal-Harrison Bryant, who was the key note speaker, and psalmist Earnest Pugh shared a few inspirational words with the audience. From 11a.m to 5:30p.m reunion goers could go from station-to-station and hear other speakers, purchase memorabilia, participate in the free health screenings, and watch urban dancers and singers perform. Later the day continued with a Dorothy Irene Height Tribute Concert (5:30PM- 8:30 PM) featuring national R&B artists Miguel, Faith Evans, and DJ Capri. The night lead up to a grand performance by , gospel artist, Hezekiah Walker. This concert was very family friendly and appropriate for all ages and it celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Dorothy I. Height. Outside of entertainment there were several other highlights of the event. There were free dental screenings for children ages 12 and under by Colgate. “Colgate has been providing these free screenings at the Black Family Reunion for 2 years now, here on the National Mall” explained Mari Campbell who is a Colgate employee, “We service about 200-300 children at these events and we screen kids from 11 a.m till 4:30p.m.” Although, the screenings are not equivalent to a full dental check up, “the courtesy screenings let parents know about the status of their children’s teeth for free.” said Mari Campbell. Kaiser, America’s Best and the United Medical Center in D.C, all came out to render their services to the public at no charge to raise awareness about health factors that directly affect the black community.
Another part of the celebration was Generation Now. The pavilion for Generation Now held a panel of 4 professional men who are well respected in the community. The panel was called For the Fellas and the men sitting on the panel were Dr. Marcus Stevens Tappan, Antwaun Gay, and Rev. Michael Trotter, Marcus Clifton, and moderator, Rod Barry. The panel was asked questions by the audience about matters that are important for rearing and inspiring the next generation, especially the next generation of young black men. “I want to help, encourage, and inspire young people. My Main focus has always been helping people to try to seek their purpose and full potential in life through God.” stated Antwaun Gay, a member of the For the Fellas panel. Two major points that all the men made was about the importance of education and having a “yes I can attitude.” There is a poem that I read years ago and committed to memory, I recite it whenever I begin to doubt myself” said Dr Tappan, a member of For the Fellas, “It’s called The Man Who Thinks He Can and it reminds us that how we think of ourselves influences how we perform.” The audience was thoroughly interested in the panels Q & A. The Executive Director of the NCNW, Avis Jones-DeWeever, was proud of the event and said “If people take way anything from this-the Black Family Reunion Celebration, let it be the spirit of love, togetherness, and the sanctity of African American culture.” To become involved with the NCNW, to participate in next year’s reunion celebration, or to donate towards next year’s event just log into www.ncnw.org or mail donations to National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Friends of Black Family Reunion Celebration, 633 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20004.“The NCNW is always looking for young women and men who want to become involved in issues such as: economic well being, embetterment of health, education, and leader development to consider joining the NCNW or volunteer to help with next year’s Black Family Reunion Celebration” said Avis Jones-DeWeever, “We’d love to have more people get involved.”
