The forum program was titled "Cincinnati Reaches Out to the Sudan and Beyond," at the University of Cincinnati’s Afro-American Cultural Center. It featured Sudanese guests of honor: Macram Max Gassis, Bishop of El Obeid; Bona Malival, editor and former member of parliament; David Mayo, University of Michigan at Lansing; and Manute Bol, professional athlete and philanthropist. The Mass celebrated by Gassis took place at St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Cincinnati, with Rivers as the Liturgist.