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Hip-Hop Royalty Joins Cleveland Cultural Pioneers to Announce the Revival of the African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration
Western Reserve Historical Society and RLRIII & Associates officially announced the return of the African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration, with hip-hop legends Roxanne Shante and MC Chill unveiling plans for the festival's long-awaited revival at the Cleveland History Center.
CLEVELAND, OH — The Western Reserve Historical Society, in partnership with RLRIII & Associates, officially announced the return of the African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration (AAHCC) during a press conference held at the Cleveland History Center on Thursday.
The announcement marked the revival of one of Northeast Ohio's most celebrated cultural festivals, which will return to the Cleveland History Center on August 21–22, 2026, after a twenty-year hiatus.
The event featured legendary hip-hop pioneer Roxanne Shante, one of the first female stars of hip-hop and the subject of the Netflix biopic Roxanne, Roxanne, alongside Cleveland hip-hop trailblazer Kevin "MC Chill" Heard, who joined community leaders to celebrate the festival's return and its significance to the region's cultural heritage.
Once attracting more than 10,000 attendees over multiple days, the African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration has long served as a platform to recognize the contributions, history, and achievements of the Black community throughout Northeast Ohio. This year's revival will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of MC Chill becoming Cleveland's first nationally recognized rap recording artist, a milestone that helped establish the city's place in hip-hop history.
During the announcement, organizers unveiled highlights of the upcoming festival, including the Legends of 216 documentary screening, a VIP meet-and-greet experience, and a 40th Anniversary Concert celebrating Cleveland's rich musical legacy.
"Bringing the AAHCC back to the Western Reserve Historical Society is about more than nostalgia. It's about stewardship of our culture," said Kelly Falcone Hall, President & CEO of the Western Reserve Historical Society.
"To have hip-hop royalty like Roxanne Shante here to stand with MC Chill and support this revival signals the national importance of what we are building in Cleveland," said Robert L. Render III, President of RLRIII & Associates.
The African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration will take place August 21–22, 2026, at the Cleveland History Center, bringing together music, history, arts, education, and community in a weekend dedicated to celebrating Black culture and preserving its legacy for future generations.