Reunion love is in the air!

The Neal Family Reunion (NFR) held in San Francisco, California, was special for several reasons. Four of the Neal brothers, now deceased —Jesse, Solomon, Eleazer, and Charlie — were part of The Great Migration as recounted in Isabel Wilkerson’s epic book The Warmth of Other Suns. At different times during the late 1940s and early 1950s, the brothers left Louisiana headed to California’s San Francisco Bay Area seeking a better life and job opportunities for themselves and their families.

Since 2000, we have held our NFR every other year in a different US destination, periodically returning to the family home place of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish, Louisiana. It only made sense that one of our reunions would be held in San Francisco, “the City by the Golden Gate,” as the Neals had a strong presence in the city for many years. The reunions are for the descendants and extended family of Ollie [Ward] Neal and Eleazer L. Neal, Sr. who had seven children: Carey, Charlie, Jesse, William, Solomon, Eleazer, Jr., and Eliza. All seven family branches were represented at the San Francisco reunion, along with descendants of Philip (Eleazer, Sr.’s first cousin) and Mary (Buie) Neal. About 200 family members traveled to San Francisco from New York, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ohio, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Southern California, and cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Many stayed at the reunion hotel located close to San Francisco International Airport.

Our reunion theme was Honoring and Preserving the Neal Family Legacy. All four Neal brothers were employees of the City and County of San Francisco and retired from the Municipal Railway, the San Francisco Port Authority, and the Department of Public Works. The brothers’ service to the city was recognized with a letter from District #10 Supervisor Sophie Maxwell — where the four Neal families resided — with a Certificate of Honor signed by all members of the Board of Supervisors. These documents, along with letters of welcome from the

Governor and Mayor, were on display during the Friday morning Welcome Reception/Meet and Greet and were made a part of the reunion booklet. There was much joy and happiness in the air that Friday. Guests picked up their name badges, reunion t-shirts and goodie bags, and enjoyed light refreshments. That afternoon was “on your own.” Many enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing at the world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.

At the Friday evening banquet one of the first cousins, John Addison Neal, Sr, gave an engaging and informative talk, sprinkled with humorous anecdotes, about how the Neals came to live in San Francisco. His talk included family history as well as local history. The banquet program was made even more special with the presentation of a “Photo Essay” by Makailah Perkins, one of the younger cousins. Her presentation recounted some of the Neal Family story through pictures, voice over remarks, background music, and a brief video clip. Family members from the various branches provided Makailah with photos of the Neal siblings, their spouses, their offspring and grandchildren. The brief video clip that was incorporated in the Photo Essay was of a few of the first cousins interacting with two extended elderly family members on their farm in Louisiana during a visit sometime earlier.

The banquet program included a recitation of the Family Reunion Pledge written by Maya Angelou and singing of the Negro (Black)

National Anthem Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing. We held a candlelight memorial to remember and honor forebears and family members who had passed on. We recognized and celebrated the multitude of talent among family members with our Young Family Achievers segment. Represented among the honorees were achievements in educational, professional (legal, medical, engineering, social work), military, culinary, and other areas. There was representation from each family branch during the banquet program. Our meal was catered and continued on page 20 included a lovely NFR cake for dessert.

The Saturday day-long outing began with a bit of sightseeing “Neal family style.” A family member served as tour guide on each of the buses that transported family members from the hotel to scenic Emerald Glen Park in Dublin, California, about 40 miles east of San Francisco where the weather was warmer. We rode down Third Street, the main thoroughfare in San Francisco’s Bayview District. The guides pointed out places of interest along the way such as shops that were frequented by family members, the church some family members attended and the ball park that’s home to the San Francisco Giants, before heading on to the San Francisco Bay Bridge to get to the East Bay.

The weather was perfect for a day of fun and enjoyment. On arrival, we gathered for the family group photo. There were activities for all ages including a bounce house for the kiddies, an expansive lawn area for a rousing volleyball game, a basketball court, a concrete area for skateboarding, a playground with swings and slides, and a lovely area with picnic tables and benches where others engaged in various board games or just sat and visited with one another. At one point a group of cousins had fun along a stretch of paved area doing the Cupid Shuffle, accompanied by music from a portable player. Quite a few cousins are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA). They were captured on camera and videotape sharing information about when and what AKA chapter they pledged and concluded by forming a circle, holding hands and singing the AKA National Hymn. A tasty lunch of BBQ with side dishes was catered. Saturday evening, young adults 21 and older enjoyed an evening out at a night club. Teens and other young family members had fun at a hotel pool party.

Our special reunion weekend concluded on Sunday as we joined in the regular church service at the historic Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where family member Reverend Emmett Neal, Sr. is pastor, one of a number of family ministers. Each participated during the morning service, as did members of the Neal Family Choir. Our catered farewell dinner was held following the service in the church’s social hall.

Reunion activities were captured on videotape as well as through many photos taken by family members. We retained someone to videotape the Friday banquet and the Sunday church service. My nephew André and I used my minicam to tape at the Meet and Greet, at the Saturday outing, and at the farewell dinner. After the reunion, family member Chris Pleasant took the initiative to work with a company to produce a truly lovely DVD slideshow comprised of many photos taken throughout the weekend with accompanying narrative and music (vocal and instrumental). Those DVDs, in addition to the reunion booklet and t-shirts, provided memorable keepsakes from this special family reunion.

Recently, Cousin John passed away. I am glad we have recordings of him as he spoke of the family history. There have been others who attended our NFR in San Francisco who have since passed on. Marcus Garvey said “a people without knowledge of their past is like a tree without roots.” Family reunions are good medicine for the soul. Having as complete as possible a knowledge of family history helps to make one whole, to be more grounded, to build self-esteem, and also to address that need to belong. Combined, those are a primary reason for having family reunions. There is strength in family.