Emboldened by the National Urban League's decision to drop Cincinnati as a convention site, boycott organizers have taken aim at the African-American summer music concert Soulfest 2002.

        The event, sponsored by WDBZ-AM (1230), features such R&B acts as the Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze and Lakeside.

        The concert is scheduled for July 27 at U.S. Bank Arena on Cincinnati's riverfront. Some of the concert's proceeds, about $1.50 per ticket, will benefit the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

        Nathaniel Livingston Jr., a spokesman for Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, said boycotters plan to send a delegation Friday to the Indiana Black Expo in Indianapolis, where Mr. Beverly is giving a free concert. Mr. Livingston said they would lobby the singer to honor the boycott.

        “We don't think he should participate,” Mr. Livingston said, noting e-mails had already been sent to Mr. Beverly's manager.

        “If they don't get the message loud and clear in Indianapolis, then we have no choice but to protest where they will be performing.”

        E-mails and telephone calls also have gone out to the Isleys, Cincinnati's first family of soul, boycotters said. The Isleys were among the first African-American entertainers to honor the boycott, when they backed out of singing the national anthem at Taste of Cincinnati in 2001.

        The Isleys canceled after receiving a multitude of calls from family and friends they grew up with in Lincoln Heights who told them it was a time for protest, not celebration.

        Boycotters want to employ similar tactics with Soulfest, but have had a tough time contacting the group.

        Lincoln Ware, WDBZ program director and a radio talk-show host, said he doesn't understand why boycotters would target this particular event. The concert probably won't attract out-of-towners, nor will it be an economic boon for the city, he said.

        “This isn't going to hurt or break the boycott,” Mr. Ware said.

        “We just saw this as a way to give people something to do over a long, hot summer. You can't have people cooped up all summer without some type of outlet.”

        Popular African-American festivals such as Ujima Cinci-Bration! and the Jazz Festival were called off this summer because of funding and sponsorship problems, in addition to some concerns about the boycott.

        Though several replacement festivals have been discussed by various African-American businesspeople and activists, none had materialized until Soulfest.

        Mr. Livingston said boycotters don't believe in granting special exemptions to any event within the boycott's boundary, which runs from Central Parkway to the Riverfront and is bordered by Interstates 71 and 75.

        “If you let one group have a pass, then they will all want a pass,” Mr. Livingston said.

        “Not only are we asking conventions and entertainers to stay away, but we are asking local people not to go downtown and spend money to shop, to eat or to play. So when you look at it from that perspective, Soulfest is a designed attempt to bust the boycott.”

        Mr. Livingston is a former WDBZ talk show host who was fired in June 2001 after he said he wrote a memo to Blue Chip Broadcasting President and CEO Ross Love threatening to publicize an alleged deal the station had made not to criticize Mayor Charlie Luken after the April riots. Station officials denied the allegations and Mr. Livingston has sued the station for $4 million and reinstatement.

        The Cincinnati Black United Front has said it stands with its boycott partner.

        Tuesday night, the BUF distributed 1,000 fliers in Over-the-Rhine and the West End encouraging people to stay away from the event. The boycott group also sold “Boycott Sellout Fest 2002” T-shirts at “The Buzz” Barbecue held at Roselawn Park earlier this month.

        Less than a week ago, the Cincinnati boycott appeared to be losing air faster than a punctured balloon. News of the city's police and social reforms and positive attendance at local events seemed to be overshadowing the boycott. But every time the movement seems to fizzle, something provides the lightning to jolt it back to life.

        The latest incident was Police Chief Tom Streicher's suspension of the city's highest-ranking African-American officer. Lt. Col. Ron Twitty, a 29-year veteran of the department, was suspended Friday with pay after allegations that he lied about a car accident in his city-owned Taurus.

        Enquirer reporter Ken Alltucker contributed to this report.

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