Family Meals
Water your taste buds with savory dishes such as fresh soul food and elegant entrees!
Outdoor Activities
From lively bus tours, to vibrant downtown trips, our reunions will keep you enthralled!
Fun for Kids
We keep the children begging for more with zoos, museums, games and more!
Tell Your Story!
If you write poems, have artistic talent, have a personal business, or even have an interesting story/experience, let us know! You can showcase your talent by sending it to the elected officials below and we can have it spotlighted on our website.
Additionally, you may send us your most memorable family photos to display on the Gallery page of our website. We want our family to know one another. We should have ways of interacting in addition to Facebook and Family Reunions. Let’s stay close all year round!
United in Strength
The GDRM Coat of Arms
The GDRM Coat of Arms was designed by Myrtle Cochran Wooten. A couple of changes were recommended at the 2000 family reunion. The slave ship was replaced with a map of Africa.
For the crest on top of the shield, a Crown was chosen. The crown in a symbol of royalty. We are descendants of African kings and queens, who developed their kingdoms through political systems, justice, culturally, and economically. Many defended their territories from foreign invasions. The legacy of African kings and queens have been passed from one generation to the next through stories and songs.
The Map of Africa denotes our motherland. In humankind’s shameful history of forced migration, the journey of the Africans from their bountiful homeland to the slave markets of the new world is one of the most tragic events in history. It is a story that can never be told in all its gruesome details.
The Torch, represents life, hope and enlightenment. It is a testament to our ancestors that survived the Middle Passage and the heinous ordeals of enslavement. Our ancestors served as a guiding light toward strength, resourcefulness, and endurance.
The Sword, symbolizes power, courage, protection, and leadership.
The Scroll represents knowledge and education. Our ancestors recognized the importance of education. Acquiring an education for our second generation was not easy. There were very few schools for African Americans after slavery ended. Some were forbidden to attend school,
and there was very little time for our ancestors to attend school. They spent most of their time working hard trying to earn a living. Succeeding generations found it easier to attend school and to be formally educated. Today, there are many family members who have obtained the highest degrees awarded by universities and colleges. It was understood that education is a key to success.
The Handshake symbolizes trust, good faith, loyalty, and friendship. Many of our ancestors could not read or write, therefore, they used the handshake with each other to conclude agreements, and a gesture to convey peaceful intentions.
The Bible. First, the bible shows us God’s character and provides us God’s revelation of Himself to His people. The bible is our spiritual sustenance and guidance and helps us defeat temptation.
Newly-Elected Officers
The revised GDMR By-Laws were ratified. Members voted online, and the body voted to accept the ratification of the GDMR By-laws. GDMR Executive Boards Members were elected according to the by-laws.
