September 11, 2024
The 36th annual Midwest Black Family Reunion (BFR) kicked it up a notch this year with more volunteers, more events and more TriHealth presence in our community. The powerhouse event celebrating Black families and culture is the last of its kind in the nation, thanks to the leadership and efforts of BFR organizer, Tracy Artis.
TriHealth once again took center stage as presenting sponsors of this year’s event. The TriHealth Center for Health Equity lead the way in organizing multiple events stretching from Forest Park to Sawyer Point. “Being part of this signature event in Cincinnati brought great awareness in the community about TriHealth’s commitment to ensure anyone seeking care is seen, heard and healed,” said Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr. Thomas Shockley.
Festivities kicked off in late July with a reception at TriHealth Baldwin Corporate Office for event sponsors. This year, there were more than 60 sponsors, ranging from small businesses to corporate giants, who all helped to support bringing back BFR.
Later, BFR week began on August 15, starting with the BFR College Tour, which made a stop at the Good Samaritan College of Nursing. The staff greeted the students with lunch, a tour of the college and time with team members to ask questions about having a career in healthcare.
At the same time at Music Hall in downtown, the TriHealth Talent Acquisition team participated in the BFR job fair. The team had more than 100 inquiries for jobs at TriHealth.
Later than evening, Corinthian Baptist Church in Bond Hill, hosted BFR Speaks, where the feature speaker was national radio and broadcast personality, Roland Martin. Before he took the stage, TriHealth had the opportunity to speak to the crowd about the importance to putting health first. TriHealth’s Director of the Center for Health Equity, Tira Williams, RN, and Dr. Alyssa Brogden of TriHealth Finneytown, shared compelling stories about the important work TriHealth is doing with health equity and why the time is now to be an advocate for your health.
On Friday, the BFR Breakfast, kicked off in the morning in Forest Park at Word of Deliverance Church. TriHealth showed up in style representing several departments and service lines. Once again Tira Wiliams had the honor of addressing the packed auditorium. The event wasn’t all talk, as keynote speaker, Cincinnati City Manager, Cheryl Long, got the crowd moving out of their seat to show how the power of music unities us all here and throughout life, no matter your background.
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The party continued in downtown Cincinnati with the BFR Lounge, sponsored by TriHealth. The more laidback affair featured line dancing and a ceremony honoring local TV anchor, Courtis Fuller. The party eventually wrapped up in the early evening because the main events were starting the next day.
On Saturday, Avondale converted into the city’s largest street party with the signature BFR Parade. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging leaders, Jana Carter Clark & Katrina Rugless, led the large TriHealth contingent through out the streets, hoisting TriHealth banners, giving away bags of school supplies and showcasing some the best moves of the day, courtesy of the Majestic Generation Christian Dance Team, who marched with TriHealth team members. The TriHealth presence was undeniable, and it continued at Sawyer Point for the rest of the weekend.
The Health Pavilion served as the final stop in BFR week for TriHealth volunteers. Departments and service lines that took part were: TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute, Women’s Services, Spiritual Services, Hospice of Cincinnati, TriHealth Fitness Pavilion, Precision Medicine and Genetic Services, Traffic Safety, and Talent Acquisition.
There was non-stop interest in the free health screenings. More than 100 people received blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and ENT screenings. Several TriHealth doctors and nurses took the time to talk one-on-one to visitors, ensuring they had a primary care physician and receiving necessary health screenings. Visitors also stopped by several tables to receive TriHealth branded giveaways ranging from much appreciated cooling towels and fans on a very hot day to preventive health screening magnets to take home to serve as reminders to put health first.
Overall, this year’s Midwest Black Family Reunion was a success thanks to the more than 100 TriHealth volunteers. BFR organizer, Tracey Artis, said “We have wonderful partners in TriHealth,” as she expressed gratitude to crowds at every event about TriHealth going above and beyond with this year’s sponsorship.
Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in this iconic Cincinnati event and for making it one of the best events for our community to see in action TriHealth’s mission to improve the health status of the people we serve.
Click here to view picture albums from the 2024 Black Family Reunion
Thursday: College Tour and BFR Speaks
Friday: BFR Breakfast and BFR Lounge
Saturday & Sunday: BFR Health Pavilion at Sawyer Point – Album One
Saturday & Sunday: BFR Health Pavilion at Sawyer Point – Album Two
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