July is Black Family Month, and with it comes one of our most cherished traditions: the family reunion. While it may feel like reunions have slowed in some areas, across the country, many families are still gathering, laughing, dancing, and passing on history—and we need to keep that going.
Family reunions have deep roots in Black history. After slavery, many newly freed people searched for lost relatives through newspaper ads, letters, and word of mouth, NMAAHC reports. Reuniting was not just about locating loved ones, it was about reclaiming identity, restoring family ties, and healing from generations of separation.
Over the years, reunions became sacred ground. They’re more than just matching T-shirts and cookouts, they’re spaces where we pass down stories, honor our elders, and show younger generations what family really means.
So this summer, if your family has one planned, go. If not, maybe it’s time to start one. Because these gatherings aren’t just about the past, they’re about the future. And the stories we tell today will be the ones our grandchildren pass on.
Here are a few families who are doing just that, and inspiring us along the way.
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@khalis_x Love my family🫶🏽 #familyreunion #family #blackfamily #fyppp ♬ Got To Give It Up – Pt. 1 – Marvin Gaye
@bria.ashlee My family reunion was this past weekend! I was so in the moment that I didn’t get a lot of content. It was a great time and the foooood? Babyyy, 10/10! #familyreunion #blackfamilyreunion #family #familytime #growingupblack #blackfamily #CapCut ♬ Family Reunion – The O'Jays
@dessvictoriaa a time was had 🤭 love my family down ❤️❤️ #fyp #family #georgia #familyreunion #love #familytime ♬ Family Reunion – The O'Jays
Cover photo: The Legacy of Black Family Reunions and Why We Must Keep Them Alive / Photo Credit: ASALH