The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio's Community Festival and Walk

About Us 

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.

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 move our mission forward.

Virtual Participation Option

Participate From Anywhere — Join Virtually

Can’t join us in Cleveland? You can still be part of the Community Festival & Walk.

Our virtual participation option allows individuals and teams to walk, move, and fundraise from wherever they are. Whether you're in another city, traveling, or supporting from afar, your participation helps strengthen The Diversity Center’s programs and impact across Northeast Ohio.

Virtual participants can:

Register and create or join a team
Participate on their own schedule
Walk, run, or move in their own community
Fundraise and compete in the Unity Challenge
Be recognized as part of the Community Festival & Walk

Distance doesn’t limit your impact. Every step still counts.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Location: Great Lakes Science Center
Cost: Free and open to the public
Format: Community Walk + Festival (no run)

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships help make this free, inclusive event possible while supporting The Diversity Center’s critical work across Northeast Ohio.

Sponsorship form

All sponsor logos must be received by April 13 to be included on event materials.

For sponsorship information, please contact:
Cierra Hilson, Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio
216-752-3000 ext. 5222
chilson@diversitycenterneo.org 

Join the Unity Challenge - Traveling Trophy Fundraiser for all Teams 

We are excited to officially relaunch The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio’s Unity Challenge as part of the return of our Community Festival & Walk.

Last year, Thompson Hine made history by winning the inaugural Unity Challenge and earning the honor of keeping the original Traveling Trophy permanently. Now, we begin again — with a brand-new trophy and a fresh opportunity for your team to build the next legacy.

For organizations, workplaces, and teams ready to make a bigger impact, the Unity Challenge Traveling Trophy offers a chance to unite your colleagues, friends, and family around a shared purpose. Rally your team, support youth leadership and inclusion across Northeast Ohio, and compete to become the 2026 Unity Challenge Champion.

The winning team will take home the new Traveling Trophy and be recognized as leaders helping to build communities where everyone belongs.

Compete From Anywhere

The Unity Challenge Traveling Trophy is open to both in-person and virtual teams.

Organizations with remote employees, multiple office locations, or out-of-town participants can still compete. Virtual team members can walk and fundraise from wherever they are while contributing to their team’s total.

This makes it possible for entire organizations — regardless of location — to unite behind a shared goal and compete to become the 2026 Unity Challenge Champion.

No matter where your team is located, you can still build your legacy.

Virtual Walk and Fundraise: T-Shirt