Council Of Negro Women To Celebrate 25 Years

WASHINGTON -  On September 11, 2010, the Black Family Reunion Celebrates a One Day Mega Festival from 8:30AM to 8:30PM including a free Tribute Concert to Dr. Dorothy I. Height featuring Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild, Regina Belle and J. Moss. It opens with an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast hosted by Yolanda Adams and keynote speaker Reverend Al Sharpton.

For the 25th consecutive year, The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the organization, will host the National Black Family Reunion Celebration (BFRC) on Saturday, September 11 in Washington, D.C. 

This free One Day Mega Festival is expected to bring thousands of people of all ethnicities to the National Mall to celebrate the enduring strength and values of African American families. This year’s theme entitled, “Continue the Legacy…Live with purpose,” will focus on improving health of the family, empowering the family through education and economic development. 

Created in 1986 by human rights activist, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, the late Chair and President Emerita of NCNW, the Black Family Reunion Celebration is recognized as one of the nation’s largest family events attracting more than 400,000 people annually. 

It is through the generous support of national and local corporations, nonprofit and government agencies, and local media partners that all activities are provided free to the public.

The BFRC is NCNW’s signature program that seeks to unify and join African American families together on community issues such as health, education, teen conflicts, and children’s issues and economic development. Activities kick off on the National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets and Madison Drive, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW with the Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m. 

Reverend Al Sharpton, pastor and civil rights activist will lead the annual prayer breakfast hosted by Yolanda Adams of the Yolanda Adams Morning Show. 

This year’s BFRC is the first time the event will take place without the founder of the event. With the recent passing of Dr. Height, the organization has garnered new leadership and is continuing the legacy with the experienced Chair, Dr. Barbara Shaw and a competent Executive Board. The leadership is positioned to build upon Dr. Height’s legacy and lead the organization into the future.

Dr. Height leaves us with directions from her latest publication, Living With Purpose: An Activist’s Guide to Listening, Learning and Leading. The book will be available for purchase during the event and will be signed by Secretary Alexis Herman who wrote the book’s introduction. 

Free festival activities will be held all day on Saturday, September 11including themed pavilions, talent performances, health screenings, college recruitment and information, economic empowerment seminars, and workshops for children and teens.

In an effort to raise money for the Dorothy I. Height Memorial Fund, a free Tribute Concert is being sponsored by Coca Cola; the entertainment lineup will feature R & B phenomena, Chrisette Michele and Musiq Soulchild along with featured artists from the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration; Regina Belle and J. Moss, 5:30 pm to 8:30pm on the National Mall. Patrons will be able to make donations to the Dorothy I. Height Memorial Fund by texting (need keyword) on their cell phones from the concert site to show support to the organization. For more information go to www.ncnw.org


ABOUT NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN (NCNW)
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an organization of of national African American women’s organizations and community-based sections. Founded in 1935, the NCNW mission is to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities.

The NCNW fulfills this purpose through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs on issues of health, education, and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa. With its 39 national affiliates and more than 200 sections, NCNW is a 501(c) 3 organization with an outreach to nearly four million women.