souvenir book part 1 - pages 1 - 18 final

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
~Isaiah 43:18-19

Welcome to Motown, Fam!

This year’s theme, Next Level, intends to Inspire,
Unite, and Ignite us. We have spared no expense to make
this a memorable reunion for all of us. We want to raise
the bar higher and higher each year. We refuse to settle for
less than our very best because we are the Black Family
For Life (BFFL)!

So as we rock our Black & Yellow in the Motor City,
we will also strut our MOTOWN hometown pride and
honor one of our own Motown greats, Marvin Johnson!

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This souvenir book is dedicated to our family that have passed on, to the
present members continuing the tradition, and to future generations of the
Black Family. We will always know where we came from, so that we will

know where we are going.
The following pages contain the names of our family members and their
connections beginning with the first child of George Washington Black and
ending with the last great-great-great-grandchild today. Our family spans six

generations with the oldest living person being 92 years old and the
youngest 1 year old.

In this special Souvenir Edition, we give special honor to our own Motown
Legend and family member, Marvin Earl Johnson.

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elcome Black Family, friends and crew to this momentous 54th
year Family Reunion! Your ongoing support over the years are
deeply appreciated and have been the hallmark of our successful
reunions for over five decades. We are especially pleased and honored that you
have chosen to take the time out of your busy schedules to travel over the
highway with children and grandchildren just to be together.

Welcome, thank you, and enjoy!

2017 Detroit Black Family Reunion Committee

From left to right: Matriarch Ratha Lee Cargill, Lenel McNair, President; Aretha
McNair; Josephine Settles; ShaRon McNair, Angela Browder, Secretary; Barbara
Tolbert; Theresa Thompson; Elene Carter; Miriam Carter; Marion Cargill; Valerie

Cargill; Sheila Guinn; Laretha Tolbert; Dedra Harris, and Elsie Black-Duell

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Our first family reunion was held September 6 & 7, 1963, in
Detroit, Michigan at the home of our late sister, Esteena Christian.
Since that time, we have gathered in various locations including
Chicago Illinois, Inkster Michigan, Niles Michigan, and New Buffalo
Michigan.

It was our father, George Washington Black
who advised his children that he would like for
them to set aside a day on which they would
come together in fellowship without having to
gather for the loss a family member. Therefore,
our annual family reunion was moved from
September to July, and we celebrate the year (not
the date). This year represents our 54th year of

having family
reunions.

Our father was the proud parent of
14 children, five sons and one daughter
by a previous marriage, and six
daughters and two sons with our
mother.

We can boast of the love they had
for their children and for their teaching
of Christian values and a Christian
education. We can proudly say they
were devoted Christians.

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Our father, George Washington Black, was the proud parent of fourteen (14)
children-- five sons and one daughter by a previous marriage. (this wife
succumbed in child birth), In 1918, he married our mother, Melissa Hunt-Black.
To this union, six daughters and two sons were born.

Born in the State of Mississippi on June 6, 1882. He had two sisters and two brothers,
and they were raised by God-fearing parents and taught morals and values early in life. Above
all, they were taught the word of God. George received Christ as his Lord and Savior early in
life. He met and married Della Crenshaw in Batesville, Mississippi, and to this union, seven
children were born.

After Della died, George met and married Melissa Hunt. Together they had eight
children bringing the total of children by George Washington Black to fifteen. George and his
family left Mississippi when George decided that the state’s political structure of overt racism
and oppression was not where he wanted to continue living with his family. He never wanted
his children to be oppressed, and he wanted them to have the best education possible.

George instilled in his children education and industrialization and above all he wanted
them to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior. George was an active member in church. He
was a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. He was also a successful
businessman where he owned and operated a grocery store, and purchased homes.

George was successful in instilling the morals and values he desired for his children
because over time the fruit of his labor can be clearly seen through his descendants. His children
eventually moved to various cities and states and began passing those values on to their own
families.

As dependents of George Black, we have become adults and have occupations in various
fields and profession: medical assistants, teachers, secretaries, supervisors, managers, restaurant
and hotels managers, mechanics, bankers, barbers, beauticians, social workers, counselors,
factory workers, electricians, tennis instructors, computer operators, programmers, navy
recruiters, caterers, postal workers, police officers, entrepreneurs and many more.

In our religious works, we have Sunday School Superintendents, Teachers, Ministers,
Deacons, Missionaries, Ushers, Vocalists, Choir Directors, Musicians. Our aim is to teach our
children so that they can teach their children and continue the work of the Lord until He returns.

Thank you Mae Wilson and Bertha Glinsey for this history of our family

(Submitted July 2002).

5

From the 1910 Census
From the 1930 Census
From the 1940 Census

Not included: Chester, Elizabeth, George Jr., and Maurice

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George Washington Black

June 6,1882 - September 24, 1964

Della Askew Crenshaw Melissa Hunt

First Wife Second Wife
Died in childbirth Died July 9, 1957

[ Not pictured] 7

2nd Generation

Children Born to Children Born to

Della Askew Crenshaw Melissa Hunt

Lucious "Bill" (Eddie Lou & Mary) Black Ethel G. (Roosevelt) West
Born in 1906 December 30, 1919 - March 7, 2008

2 Children 9 Children

Chester Black Esteena Black Christian
Born in 1907 August 23, 1921 - November 17, 1981

No Children 4 Children

Maurice (Calie) Black Ratha (Cleveland) Cargill
November 18, 1923
5 Children
8 Children

George Washington Black, Jr. Mae "Mable" Willie (Vertran) Wilson
Born in 1913 November 14, 1925

No Children 10 Children

Glover (Mable) Black Elmer (Lummie) Black
June 22, 1913 - July 13, 1989 December 23, 1927 - September 17, 1988

1 Child 4 Children

Elizabeth "Sister" Black Melvin Black
January 17, 1915 - March 26, 1981 February 11, 1930 - December 26, 1993

5 Children No Children

Bertha (George) Glinsey
February 17, 1932

6 Children

Obie Cleo Black
November 15, 1934 - August 16, 2002

5 Children

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Chester Black George Washington Black, Jr. Melvin Black

• Born in 1907 • Born in 1913 • Born 2/11/1930
• Died 12/26/1993

A lthough these three sons of George Washington
Black had no biological children of their own,
we know that God makes no mistakes. Chester

and George Jr. died at very early ages. We

believe that for the brief period they were on this earth, they
fulfilled God’s purpose for their lives. We were fortunate to

have our Uncle Mel with us for 63 years and remember him
with great fondness. He was everyone’s favorite uncle and

“fathered” many children nonetheless.

We remember our siblings from George’s first wife
who have all gone on to join the reunion in the sky. And of the siblings from Melissa,
we thank God for the remaining three pearls who continue to watch over us and this
sacred weekend each year to ensure that the future generations carry out the request of
our father as we have so been instructed.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
~1 Samuel 15:22

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Check-in, Meet & Greet - Embassy Suites Hospitality Suite...................... 3:00 PM

Pickup T-shirts and Welcome Bags
~ Refreshments Served ~

Sub-sandwiches, Chips, Cookies, & Water

Complimentary Evening Reception at Embassy Suites............. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Features light appetizers and a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages*

60th Birthday Celebration for Sheila: ..................................... 8:00 PM

Family Therapy Center, 17500 Northland Park Ct, Southfield, MI 48075

Maps & Transportation Available

Free made-to-order Breakfast at Embassy Suites ................... 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Family Barbeque and Picnic ...................................................... 12 Noon – 5:00 PM

Lower Huron MetroPark ($10 fee per vehicle)
[Map to Picnic located in Welcome Bag]
Lunch is served at 1 PM

Wings ~ Menu ~ Potato Salad
Barbeque Chicken Pasta Salad
Sausages Sliced Watermelon
Hot Dogs Baked Beans
Hamburgers Green Beans Desserts
Boiled Corn
Water & Pop

Complimentary Evening Reception at Embassy Suites............. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Features light appetizers and a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages*

Birthday Slumber Party for Arriyan ....................................... 7:00 PM

Ages 7 & under: See Laretha Tolbert for more information

Game Bus for Youth ...................................... 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Ages 8 – 13: Bus will be located in parking lot behind Embassy Suites Hotel
See Angela Browder for more information

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Motown After Dark.................................................................... 8:00 PM - Midnight

Choose from the following events:
All Ages - Detroit Paradise Valley Music Festival 2017 - Hart Plaza & Riverwalk
Ages 21 & over - Casinos (MotorCity, Greektown, or MGM Grand in Downtown Detroit)

Ages 18 & up - Dwayne’s Place (Address)

Free made-to-order Breakfast at Embassy Suites ................... 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Banquet & Program ..................................................................................... 12 Noon
Speaker – Linda Black-Thomas

Wayne Tree Manor
35100 Van Born Rd, Wayne, MI 48184
[Map to Wayne Tree Manor located in Welcome Bag]

~ Luncheon Buffet Menu ~

Fresh Garden Salad Bar with Dressing, Dinner Rolls, and Assorted Desserts
Macaroni and Cheese

Herb Roasted Chicken, Swedish Meatballs
Creamy Whipped Red Skin Potatoes
Green Beans Almandine

Children’s Menu
Fried Chicken Tenders
Macaroni and Cheese

Soft drinks, Coffee, and Tea



11

Welcome .................................. Master of Ceremony - Lenel McNair

Detroit Black Family Reunion President

Opening Song ...................................................................Don’t Forget the Family Prayer
Worship and Praise..........................................................................................Black Family
Scripture ................................................................................................................ Carl Black
Prayer...........................................................................................................Angela Browder

Dinner Served
Presentations ........................................................................................ Theresa Thompson
Black Lives Matter......................................................................Dedra (Penny) Matthews
Introduction of Speaker ......................................................................Sheila Black-Guinn
Musical Selection........................................................ Jacqueline Sheliece Black-Harding
Keynote Address ...............................................................................Linda Black-Thomas
Closing Remarks........................................ Ratha Cargill, Mae Wilson & Bertha Glinsey
Closing Song ................................................I Need You to Survive by Hezekiah Walker

Benediction

12

This year we celebrate the following graduates. These students will receive a
special recognition from us. But for now, let’s celebrate our Black Family

Graduates of 2016-17!!!

Brittany Black - Indiana State University
Johnetta Dean – Tennessee State University
Krystal Denise Lipscomb - Southwest Michigan College
*Leshun Smith-- Western ILL University

Kayla Rose West – Niles High School
Keithan Tolbert - Robichaud High School
Lenel McNair III - Garden City High School
Breanna Carter - Farmington High School
Marshon Black - Whitehaven High School

Makeila Black - Oak Park High School
*Leshun Smith - Urban Prep Academy

Greg Watson II - Billinghurst Middle School

**George Glinsey - Henry O. Tanner Elementary School
Arriyan Walker - Kindergarten Washington Parks Academy

Alonzo Brown – Kindergarten
Amari Alexander – Kindergarten
Ivory Glinsey - St. Sabina Academy
**George Glinsey - Butler College Prep
Samiyah Rae'Dillard - Jefferson Elementary School
Harper Roberson – Gesu Catholic School

13

Jacqueline Sheliece Black-Harding
&

Sean Harding
May 17, 2017

Marraiya Black &Carlos Randall
August 18, 2018

Makelia Black & Corey Jaronte Davis, Jr.
DateComing Soon

14

We’re going to need another chair at the table as our family continues to grow!

Keyunna Black Young

will be expecting her first baby boy October 2017.
Parents are Irvin Black and Flora Fields

Jaqueline Sheliece Black-Harding
and Sean Harding

will be expecting their first child December 2017.
Parent is Linda Black-Thomas

Marcus and Vanessa

will be expecting their first child any day…
Parent Dedra “Penny” Harris

Update: Cicero Mayfield was born July 29,
2017

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