Celebrating its 25th year of promoting the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African-American family, the National Council of Negro Women’s annual Black Family Reunion will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this weekend.
The much-anticipated summer event, usually a three-day extravaganza, has been merged into a one day “mega festival” to be held on Sept. 11.
The festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast—tickets, $40—hosted by gospel star Yolanda Adams and featuring keynote speaker the Rev. Al Sharpton.
From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the free Family Festival will be open to the estimated influx of 250,000 attendees. The festival features themed pavilions, showcasing issues such as health, education, economic empowerment, teen issues, and family values; food vendors, seminars, a health fair, a cultural exchange talent stage, and more.
And to round off the day, an A-list of Black entertainers, including R&B/soul singers Chrisette Michele and Musiq Soulchild and gospel artists Regina Belle and J. Moss, will perform in the Dorothy I. Height Tribute Concert from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Organizers say this year’s event will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Height, the former NCNW president, who died earlier this year. Dr. Height launched the event in 1986 in response to negative publicity regarding “the vanishing Black family.”