Ashley-Brown Family Reunion,

About the event

The Ashley-Brown Family Reunion was started in August 1983.  I remember growing up as a little girl looking forward to this family event every other year.  It was the only time that I remember seeing all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends in one place.  I’m pretty sure those early reunions boasted at least 150 people in attendance!  As stated before, the reunions are a special time to me and family.  We are able to reconnect with loved ones and introduce the new editions to our family. 

A vivid memory of mine is the reunion in Savannah, GA (2005) which my sisters and I hosted.  Our mission was to find members of our family and invite them to this reunion.  Two young ladies showed up to a family reunion of people they didn’t know.  They walked into the hospitality room and everyone is looking at them and they are looking back at us.  Someone speaks up (my father) who are you and they respond who are you?  These two ladies have been attending the reunion ever since and has brought along other family members to the reunion.

Our new mission for 2017 is to engage our younger generation.  We are aiming to connect with members’ ages 15 - 35 year old.  This demographic is the future of our family reunions.  Engaging this demographic now ensures our family’s future success.  This is how the African-American heritage thrives and survives.  Reunions allow families from near and far to commune, share stories, and pass on history and legacies.

In recent weeks, I’ve been reading “A Complicated Legacy,” by Robert Stucky.  This book is based on a white slave owner who fell in love and had a family with one of his slaves.  The descendants of his family recently united for the very first time!  This book has made me acutely aware of the need to continue in this tradition of family reunion but also in documentation of our family roots.

The next reunion will be August 3, 2017 – August 6, 2017 in Richmond, VA.  My sisters and I are working diligently to find hotels and events that will accommodate my family.  I envision having details coordinated at least a year in advance to help promote an excitement about this reunion and also give family members enough time to plan their vacation and budgets.

We have been privileged to visit Charleston, SC, Savannah, SC, Jersey City, NJ, Norwalk, CT, Virginia Beach, VA.  The list goes on and on.  As our population has gotten older, for 2017, we have decided to meet midway to reduce the cost and wear and tear on our older family members.

Why should you sponsor?

The African-American family has a wealth of knowledge and tradition.  However these significant aspects of the family are dying because extended families lose touch and lose their since of community.  The family reunion reintroduces these traditions to the younger generation and pass on the value of family.  

My family intends to continue this tradition to stay connected with each other.  However over the years funding a family reunion has become costly and everyone can not attend as they want.  

With your generous donation, we can carry on this tradition without carrying a heavy burden.  More importantly, your company will receive goodwill for supporting such event.  We have no qualms with including your company's name in any press release or radio annoucements supporting our family reunion.

Shelanda Brown

My name is Shelanda.  I am a full-time employee of SRNS located in Aiken, SC.  I am a financial analyst who has worked with this company over 14 years. I have 3 sons, 25, 9 and 3.  My 25 year old son is an Sr. Airman stationed in Guam.  I love my family and I want to surprise them with a full sponsorship for our family reunion.  

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