The event was established in the mid – 1980’s as a way to bring the entire community together to celebrate the rich history of black families in the Greater Los Angeles area. Participants included elected officials, celebrities, educators, business leaders, church leaders, community based organizations, performances by local school groups, and much more. Inside the Council House was provided seating so that attendees could listen to invited guest speakers, watch a pre-recorded video depicting the history of the NCNW, including some of the women who pioneered the creation of the organization.
Even though the annual event was started almost twenty-seven years ago, and was typically held at Exposition Park….the last reunion was in the late 90’s bringing in close to a million attendees over a three day period. This year the organization (NCNW) choose to focus on a one-day event, blocking off the street outside its L.A. headquarters from Hillcrest Blvd. to Keniston Ave.
However, at the event was an organization established in 1987 called the Neighborhood Reunion, which shared a vendor’s table with the Black Parent Union, and this writer is a member of both organizations. This neighborhood group was started back in the 80’s as a way for residents of three neighborhoods to come together each year to celebrate their unique relationship. The group has had a spectacular run of 26 consecutive years of conducting its annual picnic in Griffith Park. It’s one of the most unique types of reunions around. This year the group plans to change its reunion format – and have a dinner/dance planned for September.
Congratulations to the National Council of Negro Women (all sections who participated) for a fantastic event. For more information on the NCNW go to: http://www.ncnwscarea.org/ and to learn more about the Neighborhood Reunion follow us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/templeflatsjflats.neighborhoodreunion?fref=ts . Hopefully photos of this event will be posted on one of these sites. So don’t forget to check in often.