KINFOLK COX-SMITHERMAN FAMILY REUNION
LOS ANGELES JUNEÂ 21-24, 2018
Chicago Reunion 2016
COX-SMITHERMAN FAMILY 2018 REUNION MAGAZINE
CONTENTS 04 FROM THE CHAIRMAN A brief note from LA Reunion Chairman about the Los Angeles Family Reunion
06 THE COX-SMITHERMANS' RECOGNIZING THE ETERNAL GENETIC PRESENCE WHILE BUILDING OUR LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
17 FAMILY ACHEIVEMENTS Celebrating the success of tomorrow’s family leaders, today.
07 THE FAMILY HISTORY A brief history statement of the CoxSmitherman families 1845 - 2018
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03 04 05 06 07 - 09 10 12 - 14 15 16 17
Contents From The Chairman Welcome LA Mayor Cox-Smitherman Reunion Theme Family History Reunion Hotel Information Reunion Activities and Itinerary Exploring Los Angeles Black History Organization Committee & Special Thanks Family Acheivements
a note from the chairman Welcome to the city of Angels !!!
Greetings Family, on behalf of the LA Family Reunion Planning Committee I'm so proud to welcome you all to Los Angeles and extend our sincere thanks to everyone who is attending this year's Reunion. This reunion is a bittersweet time for us because of the recent transition of our beloved family member Broderick Senior...whom we miss tremendously. Broderick and I always envisioned having an LA Reunion. Believe me, he would be very pleased to witness us all together this weekend. In the spirit of this reunion's theme, "Recognizing the Eternal Genetic Presence while building our Legacy for the Future" we give thanks to the Devine Spirit for allowing us this unique opportunity as we come together and celebrate our 3rd bi-annual family reunion here in Los Angeles. Certainly, this gives us all a special time to learn more about our rich family heritage, socialize with each other while experiencing valued personal fellowship time. Our committee has been planning and making preparations for this weekend since our last reunion in Chicago July 2016 through many conference calls, emails, social media post, and text messages. Our goal is to provide an excellent experience with a warm and loving atmosphere for the entire family to enjoy. Finally, don't hesitate in letting us know if we can make your stay more comfortable and or if you require anything during your time in LA. LA REUNION | PAGE 04
We have reserved a hospitality suite at the host hotel where we can congregate, play games, watch the latest version of our family film, have business meetings or any other non-scheduled family functions during this fabulous weekend so let's all enjoy yourselves in the city of Angels! All the best!
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THE COXSMITHERMANS' RECOGNIZING THE ETERNAL GENETIC PRESENCE WHILE BUILDING OUR LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE! With marriages and births, the Cox-Smitherman FAMILY TREE continues to grow to ensure the continuity and strength of our family. We have chosen a theme for this year's reunion that has a special valve. "Recognizing The Eternal Genetic Presence ... while building our Legacy for the Future." Our reunion theme provides us with a glimpse into a cultural DNA of great ancestors who came before us. This eternal genetic presence speaks to the fact that our "ancestors spirit" lives in us all eternally. Also, this ancestor DNA provides us with an inner strength to build on our collective future and continue our proud legacy of the family. Family members live across the nation from California to New York, and from Michigan to Florida, and of course, some live outside the US. While we may be separated by geographical distance, a common bond and common "ancestral spirit" continues to connect us all. Some of us may have a different surname, but we all are still from the roots of CoxSmitherman nonetheless because of our mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother etc..we all were born with the same DNA that brings us together as a family. We have taken on the responsibility of gathering our family history and archiving “Ourstory.” In during this work it is and continues to be a selfless labor of love and devotion with many hours of - researching, compiling and communicating the Cox-Smitherman Family legacy. There is pride, periods of discovery and elements of perseverance and prosperity in every family’s history, particularly our Family lineage. Our family has a rich history and interconnectedness, a story every CoxSmitherman descendant should have the opportunity to hear, know and cherish. We encourage everyone to watch of family film entitled "Images of a Family" a film specifically documenting our family history visually. Also, we invite everyone to share any photos, written information and documents, funeral programs other information chronicling Our-story, to assist us in this process.
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These historical documents are vital to our family’s history and are equally valuable as articles for inclusion in our family film and archives; these records are crucial in aiding us to ‘fill in the blanks’ towards telling Our story. We also welcome any remembrances of parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents, great aunts, great uncles or any extended Cox-Smitherman family members. Remembrances and family stories can be sent directly to your family archivist via email: info@cox-smithermanfamily.com or any other medium accessible. Your support and participation is greatly appreciated! Let us always remember our family ties as we proudly proclaim, “Yes, I am part of this Strong Family Legacy!”
FAMILY HISTORY A BRIEF HISTORY STATEMENT TO THE SMITHERMAN FAMILY 1845 - 2018 AND THE COX FAMILY 1898 - 2018 The SMITHERMAN Family ancestry is rooted in the South specifically in the state of Alabama and during the institution of Slavery. The Slave Owner was WILLIAM SMITHERMAN Sr. from N.C. or Virginia (abt. 1760). Our family's home place is Benson, Chilton County Alabama. BEN SMITHERMAN (abt 1845) and SARAH SMITHERMAN born in Virginia (abt 1844) were joined in Holy Matrimony in Chilton County Alabama. They would become parents to five children, one son who was JOHNSON (abt 1875) the 4th child of four daughters, Mary, Anna, Ella and Evie.
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The COX Family ancestry is also rooted in the South and specifically the state of Alabama as well. The family's home place in Bibb County, Alabama. PERCY COX born date (Unknown) and LILLY SMELLY from New Orleans, Louisiana (ABT 1898) were joined in Holy Matrimony in Six Mile, Bibb County, Alabama 18 December 1913. They would become parents to two children, K.D. COX (abt 1914) in Bibb County, Alabama and WILBER COX. K.D. COX and FAIRY SMITHERMAN married and had five children; Arlington, Ulysses, Bernice, Joe, and James. The Cox family settled in Birmingham, Alabama
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Homewood Suites by Hilton THE OFFICIAL HOST REUNION HOTEL
2430 Marine Avenue, Redondo Beach, California, 90278, USA TEL: +1-855-516-1020 LA REUNION | PAGE 10
Find everything you need for a successful stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Los Angeles/Redondo Beach hotel. Conveniently located just off I-405, this Redondo Beach hotel is set in the beautiful beach community of Redondo Beach, within the Northern Redondo Beach’s. Enjoy easy access to LAX International Airport. From a free daily hot breakfast and evening reception (featuring light snacks and drinks*) to complimentary WiFi, we’re designed for comfortable and productive stays. Enjoy a spirited swim in the heated outdoor pool, go for a workout in the modern fitness center, or play a game of hoops in our basketball court.
HOTEL services At a Glance Located in Redondo Beach, CA, just four miles from LAX International Airport Close to beaches, shopping, golf and dining Complimentary WiFi in all guest rooms Outdoor pool and well-equipped fitness center More than 2,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space Distance from LAX to Hotel: 5 mi. Drive Time: 10 min. Type Typical Minimum Charge Super Shuttle 20.00 USD Rental Car Charge varies. Taxi 25.00 USD Various other 15.00 USD
LA REUNION ACTIVITIES &
ITINERARY Reunion Theme: “Recognizing the Eternal Genetic Presence” While Building Our Legacy For The Future
Pre-Reunion Warm Up: THURSDAY, JUNE 21 (For early arrivers) 2:00 – 4:00pm Reunion package pick-up Location: Host Hotel HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON,
2410 Marine Avenue Redondo Beach, California, 90278 TEL: +1-855-516-1090 LLA REUNION | PAGE 12
FAMILY NIGHT THURSDAY June 21, 7 pm - 10 pm DAVE & BUSTERS 6081 Center Dr. Howard Hughes Center Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 846-9950
FAMILY AT THE PARK
BBQ
FRIDAY JUNE 22
Kenneth Hahn Recreation Area Starting at 12 pm 4100 South La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 298-3660 LLA REUNION | PAGE 13
TOUR LA Saturday, June 23 Open Day to explore Los Angeles BET Experience California African American Museum and more...
FAMILY AT THE PARK
BBQ
FRIDAY JUNE 22
Family Sunday Brunch June 24 - 9:30 am M'Dear's Bakery & Bistro 7717 S Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90047 Manchester Square Phone : (323) 759-2020 website: www.mdears.net LLA REUNION | PAGE 14
COX-SMITHERMAN FAMILY REUNION LOS ANGELES 2018
EXPLORING BLACK
Los Angeles Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. Beginning with L.A.'s founding in 1781, the African American presence has grown and flourished, greatly influencing not only the city of Los Angeles but making a tremendous impact on the rest of the country and around the world. It’s no coincidence that the two years former President Barack Obama spent at L.A.’s Occidental College (1979-1981) played a major role in determining his future in politics. HISTORY Pío Pico, California's last governor under Mexican Rule, was of mixed Spanish, Native American, and African ancestry. Pico spent his last days in Los Angeles, dying in 1894 at the home of his daughter Joaquina Pico Moreno in Los Angeles. He was buried in the old Calvary Cemetery on North Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles before his remains were relocated. Blacks and mulattoes did not face legal discrimination until after California was handed over to the United States in 1848. Many white Southerners who came to California during the Gold Rush brought with them racist attitudes and ideals. In 1850, there were twelve black people registered as residents of Los Angeles. Because many blacks were enslaved until abolition in 1865, few blacks migrated to Los Angeles before then. Due to the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad and a settlement increase in 1880, increasing numbers of blacks came to Los Angeles. By 1900, 2,131 African-Americans, the second largest black population in California, lived in Los Angeles For information about Black Los Angeles visit: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/blog/discover-africanamerican-culture-los-angeles LA REUNION I PAGE 15
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
LA Planning Committee
Planning Committee Advisors LANCE COX (Atlanta) FRANCES SENIOR-NEWMAN (Chicago) NASSOMA BAHATI (Los Angeles) BRODERICK SENIOR (Los Angeles) NIKKI SMITH (Chicago) DAMIEN HARTFIELD (Arizona)
To our Cox-Smitherman LA Planning/Organizing Committee Members who spent tireless hours praying for, working toward and coordinating various activities leading up to June 21-24, we
thank you and we appreciate everyone's consistent input, involvement, and participation toward making this reunion a huge success!
BBQ/Social Committee DAMIEN HARTFIELD (Arizona) BRANDON ROSS (Los Angeles)
Committee Chairman RASHID BAHATI (Los Angeles) Co-Chair/Committee Treasurer/Secretary IMAN BAHATI (Los Angeles) LA Reunion Hostress-Co Chair VENETIA SENIOR (Los Angeles)
Family Archivist & Historian RASHID BAHATI (Los Angeles)
.
Special Thanks Angeline Smitherman-Harmon (Miss) Timothy Smitherman-Pelham (Texas) Grace Smitherman (LA) Latisha Blackburn (Atlanta) and all our family members & friends African American Genealogy Society Bro. Sam Muhammad (Los Angeles) LLA REUNION | PAGE 16
Family Acheivements Celebrating the success of tomorrow’s family leaders, today
MARIAH BAHATI
BRANDON ROSS JR
Completed first year at Hampton University VA
DANEL COX b. Jan 2018 New Son of ALJUAN COX
KE'JAH BOYKINS Attending High School fall 2018
BRIANNA ROSS Culminating Kindergarten
JAXON COX Jaxon was accepted into Montessori School
RAHSAAN BAHATI
SEVEN BAHATI
Culminating Elementary School 2018
Now attends Fred C. Price Academy LA
DEJA MINTER Completed second year student at Miles College B'ham AL
SHAWNRICA COX 1st Social Worker for an inner-city school N.C.
AYAHNA BAHATI SET THE FASTEST 100 m, HURDLES TIME AS A FRESHMAN AT MARA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL
JOSHUA COX Grad Student Western Michigan University & NFL Combine - Arizona Cardinals inals
AMIRA SMITH Frances Daughter GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL in Chicago
Competing in the RACE ACROSS AMERICA this June 16 riding his bike over 3000 miles from Oceanside CA to Annapolis, Maryland LA REUNION | PAGE 17
Gigi W W W . G I G I S J A Z Z M U S I C . C O M
Music also available on iTunes, Spotify and CDbaby,
in loving memory
BRODERICK SENIOR February 10, 1956 - May 16, 2018
COX-SMITHERMAN FAMILY
| EMAIL: INFO@COX-SMITHERMANFAMILY.COM