Venue: Embassy Suites
Address: 1900 Diagonal Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314
Time: 4:oo - 6:00 PM to register in the lobby; 6:00 - 8:30 PM for the official kickoff in our executive suite.
Program Timeline:
Welcome 6:00 PM
Information Session 6:10 PM
Icebreaker Game 6:20 PM
Blessing of Food 6:45 PM
Social Hour 7:00 -8:30 PM
Registration starts at 4:00 PM in the lobby, where you will receive a registration packet and your lanyard. I encourage you all to stop by and check in first before we start our official kickoff at 6:00 PM. Light food and refreshments will be provided in our executive suite.
You don't want to miss our icebreaker game at 6:20 PM; three lucky winners will come away with a gift card or a prize.
D.C. Day
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Charter buses are scheduled to arrive at the hotel in the morning to transport us to D.C. The designated boarding times are listed below.
We will make a few stops for a brief period before heading to the African American Museum. Please plan to wear something comfortable for these sightseeing activities.
We will stop for lunch at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center following our visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The center features over 17 diverse dining options, ranging from light snacks to full-course meals. Please note that lunch will be at your own expense. We will depart for the National Museum of African American History and Culture afterward and plan to board the bus to return to the hotel promptly at 3:00 PM.
D.C. Day Timeline:
Meet in the lobby of Embassy Suites - 8:00 AM
Boarding Bus 8:30 AM
Bus Leaves 9:00 AM
MLK Memorial 9:25 AM - 10: 25 AM
Board Bus 10: 25 AM
Bus leaves for Ronald Reagan Ctr. 10:30 AM
Arrive at Ronald Reagan Ctr. 10:38 AM
LUNCH 10:38 AM until 11:25 AM
Board Bus for African American Museum 11:30 AM
Leave for African American Museum 11:35 AM
Arrive at African American Museum 11:40 AM
Time of Entry for African American Museum 11:45 AM
Board Bus to Leave 2:45 PM
Bus Departs from African American Museum to Hotel 3:00 PM
Arrive back at the Hotel 3:10 PM
Family Banquet
Venue: Lyon Park Community Center, Arlington, Virginia
Address: 414 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201
Time: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Attire: Semi-Formal
We will host our banquet at the Lion Park Community Center in Arlington, Virginia. We're asking everyone to wear any combination of purple or black 💜🖤--whether it's bold, subtle, or somewhere in between! These colors represent the strength and unity of our family: black for resilience, purple for royalty and love. Let's show up and show out in style and celebrate our legacy together!
More information on food, program, and the timeline for this event will be available in the coming months. Please continue to check back on the website for future updates.
Program Timeline
Welcome 6:00 PM
Blessing of the food 6:45 PM
Dinner 6:45
Party Time 8:00 PM
Closing 9:30 PM
Rules of the Venue
NOTE: Please make sure you follow the rules of the facility.
No one is allowed to be on the patio or in the park STARTING AT SUNSET.
All evening events must end NO LATER THAN 10 pm with music off, guests leaving, and cleanup underway.
Music may not be played outside of the building (on the patio or in the park), amplified or unamplified.
Doors and windows must be closed when music is playing inside.
Music must be played at a level that does not bother neighbors.
Alcohol may not be served or conspicuously consumed outside the building.
A maximum of 150 guests, inside and outside the building, is enforced at all times by order of the Fire Marshal. No fireworks may be used on the premises.
The legal renter or their Authorized Representative must be present at all times during the event, available by cell phone, and may not share door combinations with anyone else.
All trash and recyclables that won’t fit inside the outdoor carts with the lids CLOSED must be removed from the premises when you leave.
Do not take indoor-only furniture outside. This includes on the patio.
Family Cookout and Competition
Venue: Bluemont Park, Arlington, VA
Address: N. Manchester St & 4th St N, Arlington, VA 22203
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Program Timeline:
Opening 11:00 AM
Family History Reflection 11:05 AM
Games Begin 11:40 AM
Award Ceremony 1:00 PM
Blessing of Food 1:15 PM
Lunch 1:15 PM
Free time, dancing, and relaxing 2:15 PM until closing
Closing 4:00 PM
Get ready for a day of sizzling grills, hearty laughter, and unforgettable moments at our Family Cookout and Olympics during the D.C. reunion! We'll kick things off with delicious food and keep the energy high with a series of fun and friendly competitions (think relay races, tug-of-war, and surprise challenges) that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Whether you're in it for the prize or bragging rights, this day is all about connection, celebration, and creating memories that last long after the final whistle blows.
Please note that your team has been pre-selected; you can identify your team by the colored dot on your lanyard.
Rules of the Venue
Possession of Alcoholic beverages or illegal substances is prohibited in Arlington County Parks.
All trash, rubbish or any other refuse must be disposed of in the proper receptacles.
Glass containers are prohibited. Please recycle whenever possible.
Amplification of any kind must comply with County code and receive prior approval by DPR.
Please park cars in designated areas.
Do not park on grass areas or interfere with bike trails and residential driveways. It is important to note that parking is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
All fires are to be built only in grills or in designated fire rings located at some of our park locations.
Venue: Spirit of Christ Baptist Church
Address: 8005 Cryden Way, District Heights, Maryland 20747
Time: 10:30 AM
Please join us on Sunday morning at the Spirit of Christ Baptist Church.
Parking is located across from the church, and if you arrive early enough, you will be able to find a spot behind the church.
Please let someone from the committee know if you would like to attend and require transportation.
Farewell Day will be the official closing of our family reunion. It’s a time for final goodbyes, shared reflections, and heartfelt moments as we prepare to return to our daily lives. This day marks the end of our gathering, but not the end of our connection. Family members are encouraged to exchange contact information, take group photos, and make plans to stay in touch. Though we’ll be apart, our bond continues—through calls, messages, and future reunions.