Back to Beloit-An African American HomecomingMrs. Fannie Byrd - Founder

If you ever talked to Mrs. Fannie Byrd about Beloit it wouldn’t have taken you very long to discover her deep love for the city. Fannie Byrd was born on July 23, 1921 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Fannie graduated from Beloit High School in 1940 and later that year married Raymond Byrd on December 22, 1940. Many residents remember Mrs. Byrd from when she worked at Turtle Creek Swimming Pool. She was a long-time member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where she served as financial secretary and as a Mother of the church. Mrs. Byrd was a member of Church Women United, and Order of The Eastern Star, Rebekah Chapter 4 where she was a past Grand Worthy Matron. She was very instrumental in the naming of the Dr. George Hilliard Park in Beloit. 

It was in 1995 that Mrs. Byrd had a vision, she dreamed of how nice it would be to have a weekend of celebration there in Beloit to reunite African Americans who grew up, were associated with or still lived in and around the area.

Mrs. Byrd and a group of Beloit families began conversation, a planning committee was formed, dates and events for a weekend of fun, fellowship and good fun was underway to bring Mrs. Byrd’s dream to fruition. 

Mrs. Fannie Byrd's dream became a reality in June of 1996 when the first Back to Beloit: An African American Homecoming weekend was held. 

The Back to Beloit celebration weekend kicks off with a banquet social hour and dinner, followed by a Saturday picnic and concludes on Sunday with a Memorial Breakfast. During a festive banquet the Back to Beloit committee recognizes and honors outstanding students with the Raymond and Fannie Byrd Scholarship.

Another highlight of the Back to Beloit banquet is the presentation of The Rev. Joseph E. Gaylor Humanitarian Award, named after the long-time pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church. Rev. Gaylor was a recipient of the Humanitarian Award at the first Back to Beloit reunion in 1996, he passed away in June 2003 at the age of 93. 

The Back to Beloit logo, designed by Elizabeth Weaver, depicts the growth and expansion of Beloiters who have been nurtured and sculptured in Beloit in the small house. We leave home to fulfill our dreams and aspirations on the path represented by the jagged line-- the same line that brings us back to the big house. From anywhere in the Universe, you can always go home because we all know -- there's no place LIKE HOME. Coming Back to Beloit is MORE THAN JUST A TRIP HOME!

Sadly, Mrs. Fannie Byrd passed away on July 23, 2017, her ninety-sixth birthday. 

On Monday, October 16, 2017 the Beloit City Council recognized the Back to Beloit founder Fannie Byrd posthumously with an honorary street designation, the street where she resided the majority of her life. Athletic Avenue was designated with the honorary title, "Fannie Byrd Avenue."

Thank you, Mrs. Fannie Byrd, for your vision!