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The Family Reunion Trip: It's All Relatives
Although there are no statistical data, anecdotal evidence suggests that the current wave of African American reunions started soon after Sept. 11, 2001, by the account of Criswell and other specialists. "Everybody has felt a need to reaffirm family ties as a result of that event," said Vargus.
Since then, reunions have become more sophisticated, multi-dimensional and, in many cases, grander. Once hosted in private homes or churches, they are now most often held in luxury hotels. Special reunion Web sites and customized T-shirts are also common. Some families form nonprofit associations and use the funds raised to offer scholarships, buy real estate or assist family members in need.
  Fisher family members dance the electric slide during a dinner at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel, one of many events held during their 2005 biennial family union. (Photos By Tracey Brown For The Washington Post) |
Vargus said that the divisions, rifts and dueling factions that plague all families do not often interfere with African American reunions. One reason, in her view, is the strong religious base of most black families. "Reunions are often heavily infused with spiritual messages," she said. "And that helps the family get through whatever tensions exist, at least long enough for the reunion."
Although totals vary according to the venue and events included, Reunions Magazine estimates that the per-person cost of reunions, including travel, ranges from a few dollars for a basic potluck to more than $1,000 for a more elaborate affair.
The Fishers charged $80 per person for adults and $30 for children, not including travel; kids under 6 were free. That rate included most meals and entertainment; the T-shirts and bus excursion were extra. The total cost was around $10,000, according to Lisa Crockett, the reunion chair.
The current interest in reunions has brought a spate of guides, cookbooks, Web sites and other resources offering advice, and tourism officials in several cities are making a special effort to help families with reunion organizing (see box at right). But Atlanta may be the most popular city.
One big reason is the counsel offered by the Atlanta visitors bureau. It holds three two-day seminars a year on family reunion planning and offers some families financial assistance to attend. Last year, the Atlanta CVB says it helped more than 130 African American families plan reunions.
All in Atlanta
Just past daybreak on Saturday morning, Lisa Crockett stood in the Hilton lobby chatting with early risers. Two years earlier, after the family had agreed on Atlanta as the reunion venue, she and others had organized a committee -- a dozen cousins, brothers, sisters and other relatives. They met twice a month or so, hashing out every detail, down to whether the deejay should play hip-hop or classical soul at the Saturday dance, and whether the T-shirts should be emerald green or regal blue.
The committee also worked closely with the Atlanta CVB, attending its free workshop on reunion planning. Lydia Davis, the bureau's reunion rep, offered advice on where to host the event, and the CVB contributed free tote bags and other giveaways.
Now the first full day of the gathering had begun. Around breakfast time, the official family meeting started in the hotel ballroom. This session, a standard feature of reunions, is where family business is discussed, including geneaology research, legal matters and fundraising concerns. The biggest issue was where to hold the 2007 reunion. The older generation wanted Lancaster, S.C.; the younger set favored an urban setting. Marilyn Fisher, an apartment building manager in D.C., pushed for her city. After much discussion, the reunion torch was passed to the District.
Then, just as one aunt nodded off and others began to chatter, 7-year-old Tiara Crockett pushed her way to the front of the ballroom, flashed an infectious smile and launched into a rendition of the gospel classic "Amazing Grace." Before she started the second verse, the girl paused to look out at the faces of the relatives clustered before her. "Sing it, sister!" a voice called out.
Tiara's performance, punctuated by thunderous applause, set the tone for the rest of the event. One after another, over the course of the day, various family members came forward to entertain the family in song or speech or lead them in prayer.
