Community Festival and Walk
Event Details
When: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Where: Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Time: 8:30 a.m. Kick-Off
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio is proud to bring back one of our most beloved traditions—reimagined for today.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, we invite the community to join us for the DCNEO Community Festival & Walk, a free, family-centered celebration taking place at the Great Lakes Science Center.
Formerly known as Walk, Rock, Roll & Run, this event returns after a one-year pause with a renewed focus on what matters most: connection, community, and belonging. This year’s event features a walk-only experience alongside a vibrant community festival designed for all ages.
Why We Walk
At The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, our work is rooted in a simple belief: everyone deserves to belong.
For nearly a century, DCNEO has partnered with schools, organizations, and communities across Northeast Ohio to help people better understand one another, navigate difference, and build environments where all individuals can thrive. While the language and landscape around diversity continue to evolve, our purpose remains clear—to empower people and organizations to create communities where everyone belongs.
The Community Festival & Walk reflects this moment in our work. It is not about competition or pace, but about presence—showing up together, side by side, across differences. It is a space to celebrate community, invest in young people, and connect families, educators, leaders, and neighbors to the tools and relationships that move inclusion from intention to action.
When you walk with us, you are supporting programs that:
- Equip students and educators with skills to lead with empathy and understanding
- Strengthen workplaces and organizations through inclusive leadership and dialogue
- Foster community connection across lines of identity, experience, and belief
- This walk is a reminder that progress is collective—and that meaningful change happens when we move forward together
We look forward to gathering with you to build meaningful connections, celebrate our shared values, and continue shaping communities where everyone belongs.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorships help make this free, inclusive event possible while supporting The Diversity Center’s critical work across Northeast Ohio. Click the pledge button below for more information.
Walk Together. Give Together
Participation in the Community Festival & Walk is free and open to all. Everyone is welcome to walk, celebrate, and be part of the day.
For those who want to deepen their impact, we invite you to create a walking team and fundraise in support of The Diversity Center’s work. When friends, families, workplaces, and community groups walk together and raise funds, they help ensure our programs remain accessible to students, schools, and organizations across Northeast Ohio.
Fundraising is optional, but meaningful. Every dollar raised supports youth leadership development, inclusive education, and community-building initiatives that strengthen belonging throughout our region.
Start a Walking Team
Creating a team is a powerful way to:
- Rally your family, coworkers, or network around a shared purpose
- Honor someone, celebrate a milestone, or give back together
- Multiply your impact while having fun and building community
- Teams can be formed by workplaces, schools, families, faith communities, or groups of friends. Whether you raise $100 or $10,000, your participation helps
Community Partner Tent Participation
Be part of the energy, connection, and impact of the Community Festival & Walk.
The Community Partner Tent invites local organizations, businesses, and community groups to engage directly with thousands of attendees during this free, family-centered celebration. This is an opportunity to showcase your work, connect with families, and support a day centered on belonging, learning, and community.
We encourage partners to create interactive, welcoming experiences that reflect the spirit of the event — whether through demonstrations, hands-on activities, educational materials, or creative engagement.
Participation helps strengthen a shared commitment to building communities where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
What’s Included:
- Tent space within the festival footprint
- 1 table and 2 chairs
- Visibility among event attendees
- Opportunity for direct community engagement
- Recognition as a Community Festival partner
Space is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please reach out to Cierra Hilson to learn more about reserving your Community Partner Tent space: 216-752-3000 ext: 5222 or chilson@diversitycenterneo.org.
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