CINCINNATI, Ohio—Black lives matter. It’s a mantra that can be found everywhere these days. But one group in Cincinnati is taking it a step further – saying not only do black lives matter – but black families do too. 

Like most kids their age, Taylor and Torean Derden love to have fun. But over the past few weeks- their care-free mentality have been replaced by a sense of uneasiness. That’s why their mother Tinia wanted them to come to Sunday’s Black Families Matter Event in Cincinnati

“Just to see that not all protests are bad," Tinia said. "You know, they have raffles, it’s family oriented. So they can be aware and mix and mingle especially with everything that’s been going on.”

And that’s why organizers decided to create the event in the first place, to celebrate Black families and parents.

“We want people to come here and share about their parenting experiences having lived through those racist systems and also celebrate Black fathers, mothers, trans, whatever as they parent and support them and celebrate them during this season," Aprina Johnson an organizer said.

“I want my kids to see that Black families are celebrated," Tinia said.

The event is a little different than a normal protest, but that’s to ensure parents feel more comfortable bringing their kids.

“Less intimidating environment for sure," Johnson said. "And so this is technically a protest in itself and parents and children can come and have a totally different feel that what’s going on.”

And for Taylor and Torean, they say being at events like these and protests make them feel that their voices still matter.

“It makes me feel good and stuff," Taylor said. "And I don’t know, it just makes me feel good.”

The kids say they were also at a protest last weekend and say they were especially hopeful seeing so many types of people come together fighting for Black lives.

“We could all see that Black people and White people come together," Torean said.

“It’s kind of encouraging to me and my brother cause you can see everyone get along," Taylor said.

And for the organizers, that’s exactly what they hoped for the kids of the next generation to see.

“We want the community to know that even though sometimes you feel alone, you have the support of us and the rest of the community on your side," Jeleain Smith an organizer said.

“You are loved," Johnson said. "You are valued and you are cherished during this time.”

The group says they hope to plan an event every weekend and one protest a month to keep the movement going.