R&B Concert
This years Black Family Reunion R&B stage promises to provide a wonderful array of talent!
 
Local talent will include
Hot R&B singers Mikale
Vondell Bachelor
Jay's Groove, and more!  

The day of family fun, entertainment and excitement continues with Ventriquilist, Megan Piphus, The Fantasy Dancers and new this year a special spoken word segment!
There will be a variety of talent, something for everyone in the entire family! All ages!!!
However that's not all...

We will finish the evening with...

Syleena Johnson
National Recording Artist/R&B Songstress

R&B's best kept secret is finally out. Another chapter in Syleena Johnson’s book has been written.  This time, it is more than recording an album.  After amicably leaving an eight-year record deal with Jive Records in 2006, Syleena has launched her own label, Aneelys Records. This opportunity comes by way of a label deal with Federal/Universal Music Group.
 
With this control, Syleena will give birth to her newest release, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, on September 2, 2008.  This day is also significant because it is also her birthday, but the title has a deeper meaning.  Along with running her own label and being an artist, Syleena has also become a wife and mother within the past year.  "My husband is an excellent man, I couldn't ask for a better one and my son is my best work yet," Syleena says.  Naturally, this experience lent a hand in Syleena writing Chapter 4: Labor Pains, as she describes the pain of having a baby as the worst pain in life, but rewarding in the end.  Syleena shadows her life on the principle that you reap what you sow.  “Nothing good comes easy.   All the struggle, strife, work and pain we go through, that's the price you have to pay to reap the benefits in the end," Syleena expresses.

Artists often fall by the wayside and are rarely heard after leaving a major record label.  But, Syleena didn't allow her split with Jive Records to rip out any pages from her next chapter.  She simply took matters into her own hands and decided to go the independent route.  With her label, Syleena will finally see the benefits of all her hard work, whether it be working on a personal project or signing other acts. She will finally have the creative control and power to see things through and pan out her career as she sees fit.

& World Renowned Recording Group!!!

The Calloway Brothers
Writers/Artists/Producers

Creating music that rings in the heart of souls has been a breeze for Grammy songwriters, The Calloway Brothers. Their songs have been nominated for 5 Grammys, and they have recorded over ten #1 singles and been voted by Billboard magazine as one of the greatest music production teams of all time. Their prolific talent as top music producers, hit writers, musicians and artists have attracted some of the biggest names in the music industry.

The Ohio natives captured the respect of the music industry insiders for consistently writing a string of Grammy nominated #1 hits for Teddy Pendergrass, Natalie Cole and LeVert (Casanova), just to name a few, including the multi-platinum and gold albums they have produced. In 1987 they wrote ”Love Overboard” for Gladys Knight and The Pips, which won a prestigious Grammy, elevating them to a new status in the music industry as a rising talent.

With music that has been heard around the world, Reggie and Vincent Calloway remain on the frontline in developing unique lyrics and ear catching melodies.

Gospel Concert


New Vision



Pam Crumbley



Bishop Hilton and Choir



Amante Lacey and The Life Worship Band



The Hebrew Children

The Hebrew Children are a unique group of young people.  They have been singing all of their lives in the church.  As a group, they have been singing for nearly 20 years.  They are also the praise team for the Diamond Avenue Christian Center.

The Hebrew Children have made quite a few accomplishments.  They have been McDonald’s Gospelfest Award Winners, Martin Luther King Award Winners, Starbound Award Winners and are currently Dr. Bobby Jones’ National Youth Group.  They have shared the stage with Dr. Bobby Jones and New Life, The Clark Sisters, the late Willie Neal Johnson and the New Gospel Keynotes, The Pilgrim Jubilees, Dr. Charles Fold and the Charles Fold Singers, The Williams Brothers, Chico DeBarge, Joe, Davina, Lil’ Bow Wow, Mary Mary and various other major artists. 


&



VaShawn Mitchell and Choir

If the foundation of a thing is indicative of how far up it is going, Vashawn Mitchell is about to soar!  In this culture and time where everything happens fast, Mitchell is only in a hurry about one thing, taking care of his Father’s business. 

Having grown up in the south suburbs of Chicago, Mitchell comes from a region that brags great songwriters and ministers of music.  His professional music ministry journey began at the St. Mark Baptist Church where he served along with Lonnie Hunter for six years.  While in college he landed at Bishop Larry Trotter’s Sweet Holy Spirit Church.  He served there as an Assistant to the Minister of Music beginning in 1997 before taking over the Music Department in 2000.  As he readies for the dawning of his next project Promises, one need only look at where Mitchell has been to see where he’s going.

It is this maturity and focus that solidifies the platform and bolsters Mitchell’s sure success. Youthfulness aside, he attributes this maturity to the Word of God. “I understand that there is a prophet of the house who gives vision and direction and that everything flows according to that vision.  We have to go back to the Word of God and understand the Levites were not meant to fight but to prepare the atmosphere for the army to come in behind them.  We have to carry the second man’s anointing and understand the pastor is the set visionary of the house, and our job is to put the legs to the vision.”  After about five years of focusing on the vision at Sweet Holy Spirit, Mitchell was released to resume his recording career.  His debut project on Tyscot Records in 2005, Believe in Your Dreams was the dawning of a new day, and he continues to lay the foundation of his multi-faceted ministry of singer, songwriter, producer and minister of the gospel.

Themed Pavilions
Free to the public themed pavilions present two days of programming and festivities,  from 1pm to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.  A more detailed schedule will be provided in this section prior to August 19th.

1. Bid Whist Tournament
2. The Arts & Education Pavilion
3. Spirituality Pavilion
4. Children's Pavilion
5. Lost Children's Pavilion
6. Young Adults Pavilion
7. Health Pavilion
8. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Bid Whist Tournament -

The Queen City Whist Association will be a part of the Black Family Reunion Celebration at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, Ohio - on the Green Lawn

Saturday August 16, 2008 & Sunday August 17, 2008

10:00am - Practice & Registration on site (ea. day)
1:00pm - Tournaments - FREE & CASH Tourneys

* Cash Tournament Entry Fee - $10. 00 per team
* All entry fees will be used as prizes.
* Prize money will be divided, up to the first three teams.
* There will be a kitty and straight whist versions.
* Additional rules will be provided on site.

SPADES PLAYERS!!
If enough Spades players register, we will run a
tournament for your groups. Youwill not be left out!!!

The Queen City Whist Assn. provides players an opportunity to play competitive whist against the best players within Cincinnati as well as the best players from other cities. We operate out of the following locations:

Thirty Plus 9854 Springfield Pk. (Wild Cards) 348-6762	LaMarr’s 9568 N. Wayne Ave. (Black Diamond) 733-3222
Shakers 5900 Hamilton Ave. (Card Shark) 542-2103	American Legion 546 N. Wayne Ave. (Slammers) 733-9008
Club Eclispe 1597 McMakin Ave. (Full Deck) 729-2582

We practice on various nights and have regular competitions Saturday evenings. Contact any location for their specific practice times. Any establishment wishing to sponsor a club, also needing more information about the tournaments, please call 602-1231.

Arts & Education -

In addition to the spectacular programming and artists’ demonstrations, The Black Family Reunion Arts & Education Pavilion offers free History Through Art cards, Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.  The seven-card set features the artwork of acclaimed visual artists, Melvin Grier, Cynthia Lockhart, Clatties Moorer, Robert O’Neal, Annie Ruth, and Joyce Phillips Young, with biographical  tidbits of Dr. Height’s work impacting women, children, civil rights on the back of each card.  An informational booklet is also included in the set to educate the public about Dr. Height’s work and impart lesson through the integration of visual art.

Each family that visits the Arts and Education Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, during the Black Family Reunion will receive a complimentary art card set (while supplies last).  This generous arts and education outreach effort is sponsored by the Fine Arts Fund,  Art for Life at the Cincinnati Art Museum, New American Art Gallery II, Saint Ursula Academy, and Harmony Project

 

Spirituality -

Features presentations and discussions on the history of the church, the role of women in the church, etc. Ministers from area churches are invited to participate Church choirs perform new and traditional gospel

Saturday, August 16	Sunday, August 17
12:30 PM Brighter Day Victory Temple	1:00 PM Bishop Michael Carter & Triumph Church of God
1:30 PM BFR Anniversary Choir	2:00 PM Kim Walker & New Vision Ministries
2:30 PM Philippian Baptist Church Youth Choir	3:00 PM BFR Anniversary Choir
3:30 PM Generation of Praise	4:00 PM The Lattimore Singers
4:30 PM Remeco & Worship	5:00 PM Bishop Derick Smith & MGM Praise Team

Sponsored By:  Bishop Michael Mitchell
Brighter Victory Temple

Children's  -

Coordinated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Includes programming for children 12 and under with storytelling, arts & crafts, puppetry, drama and dance performances.

Saturday, August 16	Sunday, August 17
12:00 PM Games, Crafts, Contests	12:00 PM Contests & Prizes (Old School Games)
1:00 PM Kids Voting Demostrations	1:00 PM Caricature Artist – Galen Bailey (until 2:30PM)
2:00 PM Angels of Praise - Sherri Daniels and Sandra Parks, Directors	1:30 PM Financial Freedom for Children
3:00 PM Story Time – Cincinnati Public Library featuring Ms. Arnice Smith	2:00 PM Clowns – Goldie & Co. (until 4PM)
4:30 PM Games & Final Raffles (until 5PM)	3:00 PM Kid’s Voting Election Results
	3:30 PM Physical Fitness Demonstration - Stephanie Scruggs, My Workout Buddy
	4:00 PM Youth of Destiny – Shawn Huggins, Director
	4:30 PM Games & Final Raffles (until 5PM)

There will be a raffle for parents every hour.  There will also be continuous arts & crafts, games, & activities for the children.  The children’s contests will have prizes ~ every 30 minutes.  All children in attendance will receive goodie bags and balloons. 

Children’s Pavilion Sponsored By:
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Sigma Omega Chapter
Mildred Kennedy, President;
Kristina Thomas, Vice President;
Cynthia Culbreath & Jerelyn Williams – Co-chairs

Discussion and entertainment activities focusing on issues of interest of youth between the ages of 12 and 21. Topics include career development, teen pregnancy, drug use and abuse, academic excellence and constructive.

SATURDAY, August 16, 2008	SUNDAY, August 17, 2008
1:00pm HOUR OF POWER. Large Dancing groups and giveaways.	12:30pm HOUR OF SPIRITUAL POWER Spiritual music (Hosted by Colleen The Christian Machine)
2:00pm THE BLOCK PARTY, Music and info	1:00pm Marvin Curtis and The Seventh Trump (jazz band)
2:45pm Fashion show Urban design and fashion	2:00pm THE BLOCK PARTY Music and info
3:00pm I TALK , The topic is:  Why should I vote?	2:45pm Fashion show  by MJ2 STYLE
3:30pm GAME TIME, Black history game show. Contestants will be from the crowd.	3:00pm I TALK , Discussion on Education.
3:45pm BEAT BATTLE, Music made by local producers will be played. The crowd will judge what music they like the best. There will be a cash prize.	3:30pm GAME TIME (The theme will be :Education.)
4:00pm FREE STYLE MC BATTLE (Round 1) Verbal battle on wit.	4:00pm FREE STYLE MC BATTLE (Round 2) Verbal battle on wit.
5:00pm HOODSTOCK 2007 Musical performances	5:00pm HOODSTOCK 2008 Musical performances
	6:00pm Phantasee Entertainment Extreme Dance: the next level

Saturday, August 16
12pm - 6pm - Willie "C" Jackson Line Dancing-DJ
1:00pm - Get Fit with Steve
2:00pm - W.E.B. Dubois Academy Step Team
3:00pm - Body Rocks Fitness
4:00pm - Salsa Dancing

Sunday, August 17
12pm - 6pm - Willie "C" Jackson Line Dancing-DJ
3:00pm - Body Rocks Fitness

Screenings and Information:
* 2008 Do Right Health Pavilion
* Cross Road Cener
* NAMI-HC
* Center for Closing the Health Gap   -  Information, B.M.I., Aprons, T-Shirt
* Health Alliance   -  Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Bone Density
* Thye Wellness Group  -  Information
* Stop Aids Cincinnati - Rapid Aids Testing
* Prostate Van  -  Prostate Screening
* Vitas Innovation  -  Information
* Molina Health Care of Ohio  -  Information
* American Red Cross - Information
* Owen's Chiropractic Cente - Spinal & Stress Screening
* Hoxworth Blood Center - Information
* Kidney Foundation - Information
* Life Organ Donor Center - Information
* National Alliance of Mental Illness - Mental Health / Depression
* Amerigroup Van - Information

 

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. -

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will be conducting voter registration and education during the Black Family Reunion.  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a non-profit public service organization of more than 200,000 college-educated African American women located in 49 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and abroad. Its extensive programming centers on five key areas: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.