URBANA BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL: A LEGACY OF LOVE, UNITY, AND CELEBRATION

How One Man’s Tribute to Family Became a Community-Wide Movement
On a warm summer day in Urbana, Ohio, the sound of gospel music fills the air, the rich aroma of soul food drifts through the streets, and families gather, embracing old friends and meeting new ones. Laughter rings out as children dance to the beat of a live drumline, while history comes alive through storytelling and guided walking tours. It feels like a reunion—a joyful, soul-stirring celebration of heritage and community.

This is the Urbana Black Heritage Festival, a tradition that started in 2022 when Kalen Howell decided to honor his family’s legacy in the best way he knew how: by bringing people together.

For Kalen, the festival was never just about history—it was about love. The love of a son for his father, Charles “Tim” Howell Jr.. The love of a grandson for his grandmother, Barbara Howell, who spent her life advocating for her community. And the love of a man for the town that raised him. “In the months after my father passed, I had so many conversations with people who told me stories about him—things I never knew,” Kalen recalls. “It made me think about my grandmother, her legacy, and how much of our history wasn’t being told. I realized we needed a space to share those stories. And we needed to do it together.”

Inspired by those conversations and the national recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Kalen set out to create an event that would do more than just celebrate Black heritage—it would bring people together during a time of division, reconnect families, and preserve Urbana’s untold stories.​

More Than a Festival—A Homecoming
When people step into the Urbana Black Heritage Festival, they feel an immediate sense of belonging. Strangers greet each other like family. Elders swap stories of Urbana’s past while children learn about the people who shaped their hometown. The festival is alive with history, music, and culture, but above all, it is alive with connection.
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Each year, the festival continues to grow. The live music, choir performances, and spoken word poetry create an atmosphere filled with inspiration and energy. A variety of food vendors offer flavors deeply rooted in tradition, while the gleaming classic cars lined up at the car show bring together automobile enthusiasts and history lovers alike. Throughout the day, historical presentations and guided walking tours give visitors a deeper understanding of Urbana’s Black heritage, and the family heritage gallery showcases generations of stories and photographs that might otherwise be lost to time. Everywhere you turn, there is something happening— dancing, storytelling, children playing in interactive activities—all reinforcing the festival’s mission of connection and celebration.

One of the most unforgettable moments in the festival’s history came during one of the walking tours. Descendants of the historic Boyd family, a prominent

​Black family in Urbana, discovered each other for the first time. “They had no idea they were related,” Kalen says. “Watching them embrace, realizing they shared the same ancestors— that’s what this festival is about. Bringing people home.”

Carrying the Legacy Forward 
For Kalen, the festival was never meant to be just a one-day event. From the very beginning, it was part of something bigger. The Urbana Black Heritage Festival shares its mission with the Barbara Howell Park Conservancy, an initiative that is dedicated specifically to enhancing Barbara Howell Park as a cornerstone for strengthening Urbana’s historic Black neighborhood.

Through this effort, Kalen and his team are focused on empowering young people through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership training. They are also working to address homelessness and create sustainable solutions for those in need. A long-term goal is to transform Barbara Howell Park into a gathering place for cultural and community events, ensuring that its legacy is preserved and its impact felt for generations to come.

“This festival is just the beginning,” Kalen says. “I want young people in Urbana to know that they can be leaders, that they can shape this community. I want them to know their history and to build a future that honors it.”

How You Can Be Part of the Story
The Urbana Black Heritage Festival thrives on community involvement. Volunteers play a crucial role in making the festival a success, whether by helping with planning, historical research, or event-day logistics. Local businesses and organizations can become sponsors, providing financial or in-kind support to help the festival grow. Simply spreading the word and bringing friends and family to the event is another way to ensure the festival’s continued success and impact.

For more information, visit their webpage at 
www. bhpconservancy.com or email [email protected].

Join the Celebration—Be Part of History 
The Urbana Black Heritage Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. It’s a space where history is honored, stories are shared, and the bonds of community are strengthened. So, whether you come for the music, the food, the history, or simply to be part of something meaningful, one thing is certain: you will leave feeling connected—to the past, to the present, and to the people around you. Mark your calendar, bring your family, and experience a festival that’s more than just a day—it’s a homecoming.