On Thanksgiving Day, 1968, Lula Gibbons, Hattie Barr, Mattie Wilson and Herbert Wilson were having dinner at the home of the late Nathan Wilson in Washington, D.C. These five discussed the idea of having a family reunion on July 4, 1969. They contacted Elzenia (Zenia) Jones to set the first site for Cleveland, Ohio. Plans were set in motion and all relatives responded well. The group decided to return to Cleveland for the July 1970 reunion, this time inviting some close friends in addition to family. In July 1971 and again in July 1972, the Reunion was hosted by relatives and friends in Detroit, Michigan. At the 1972 gathering, it was decided to hold a “Real Homecoming” by holding the July 1973 reunion in Clanton, Alabama. In 1973, a “Real Homecoming” it was, with everyone coming from near and far to gather in Clanton, and again in July 1974. In July 1975, the Reunion was beautifully hosted by relatives and friends in Gary, Indiana. The Reunion returned to its first site in Cleveland, Ohio in July 1976 where over 350 relatives and friends attended. The reunion and associated activities have been held each year, rotating it from coast to coast.

We can make a difference…

An idea was born into a long standing foundation that is the core of our organization’s existence. “We should donate money each year and establish scholarships which could be awarded to the future generations of the descendents of Clanton Alabama “. For the past 27 years, more than $150,000 has been awarded to students attending their first year of college. One of our main objectives is to raise the awareness for the necessity of funds to assist with the rising costs of college and to give our children what they never thought would be possible, attaining a college degree. With your help, we can achieve those goals and so much more.