Welcome
Our Branches Were Bent, But Not Broken
Senior Family Members: Charles Lee Williams Age 69, Joe Hicks, Ida Smith, Jerlene Williams, Pythinia Brown, Ida Kemp Tyler
~LET’S PUT OUR BRANCHES BACK TOGETHER~
Finding our Family
Finding our Family
Finding our Family
I would like to introduce myself as Henrietta Washington Harris married to Charles Edward Harris for 36 years. I am the daughter of the late Henry Washington and Ida Pearl White Washington. I have four beautiful sisters, Deborah, Mary, Carolyn(dec. 11-23-2022) and Charlotte born to Henry and Ida Pearl. We are also blessed with siblings
I would like to introduce myself as Henrietta Washington Harris married to Charles Edward Harris for 36 years. I am the daughter of the late Henry Washington and Ida Pearl White Washington. I have four beautiful sisters, Deborah, Mary, Carolyn(dec. 11-23-2022) and Charlotte born to Henry and Ida Pearl. We are also blessed with siblings on my father's side. God entrusted us with the care of one daughter (Tamara-31) and two sons (James-33 and Marvin-44) and we are blessed with three grandsons (Tristan-13, Gabriel-11 and Trae-6). Like many of you, I have wondered about our extended family over the decades, so here we are in 2024 planning our 2nd reunion so that we can finally get to know our family. Is Shreveport where it all began? Let us unite and find out together. THIS IS AND MUST BE A GROUP EFFORT. We each must pledge to find our family and continue to unite on a regular basis. We have lost touch; our branches are bent, but not broken. For the sake of our younger generations, WE MUST NOT FAIL THEM ANY LONGER. We are Evans, Jordan, Brooks, Rochelle, Kemp, and the list of names may grow as we continue to link together. Our family, many times unspoken, but never broken. Much Love, Henrietta Washington Harris
Land Ownership
Finding our Family
Finding our Family
Until further research is done, we can proudly find our strong heritage in Shreveport, Louisiana. We hailed from rural areas of LA and migrated to the Cooper Road Community. Our ancestors owned many acres of land rumored to surround Cross Lake and in the Cooper Road Community (M.L. King Drive) which was established in 1928. Much of that
Until further research is done, we can proudly find our strong heritage in Shreveport, Louisiana. We hailed from rural areas of LA and migrated to the Cooper Road Community. Our ancestors owned many acres of land rumored to surround Cross Lake and in the Cooper Road Community (M.L. King Drive) which was established in 1928. Much of that land is still owned by family today. Several parcels of land were located on Willie Mays Street, Rear Montana, Montana and Jones Mabry Road. Please add to our history as you know it. While city annexation in 1977 is believed to be the downfall of the Cooper Road, it still remains one of the largest African American communities in the United States.
Hard Working
We're Excited for 2025
We're Excited for 2025
Nothing came easy for blacks living in Shreveport in the early 1900's. After enduring the hardships of slavery, some of our ancestors managed farms. Many of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents worked the farms as a source of income. Even some of us baby boomers experienced the grueling chore of picking cotton (at least once),
Nothing came easy for blacks living in Shreveport in the early 1900's. After enduring the hardships of slavery, some of our ancestors managed farms. Many of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents worked the farms as a source of income. Even some of us baby boomers experienced the grueling chore of picking cotton (at least once), peas and other produce. Many of the generation of the 50's are still around to share their "sharecropper" stories. One quick story of my great grandmother Parthenia B. Roshell (1888-1981)-While we excitedly gathered to watch the second night of the 1970's miniseries "Roots" she did not join us. When we inquired from Madea (Cathy Lee-her daughter) why she would not join in, we were told "She couldn't handle any more of the movie because her mother was a slave." That was a hard pill to swallow!!! "Momma" as we affectionately called her was the DAUGHTER OF A SLAVE. This was heartbreaking yet thought provoking at the same time. Never did I ever hear any more of this topic, Momma never talked about it, nor did Madea. I guess this was too painful for everyday discussion.
Since writing this synopsis of our family history, I have received information from one of our family historians Victoria Kemp (91 years young and an excellent memory) that she has never known or heard mention of her grandmother being a slave. She remembers her very well and also remembers that she lived near Cross Lake and even lived with her for a period of time. Cousin Victoria states that her grandmother “later moved to Montana Street where she had a farm until she died.” Cousin Victoria feels that she would have know of such history involving slavery and at least this part of history would have been passed on. Please continue to seek our history and please pass it on to the website so it can be shared with other family. Maybe some of our now senior cousins know more on this subject, and we welcome you to share.
We're Excited for 2025
We're Excited for 2025
We're Excited for 2025
Here it is July 15th 2024, and we are finally getting the planning of our 2025 reunion under way. Covid 19 wreaked havoc on our would and Louisiana was hit especially hard! As much as we hated to cancel the 2021. Later, we had no choice but to cancel the 2023 reunion. Some of our seniors pictured on the cover page are no longer with us(
Here it is July 15th 2024, and we are finally getting the planning of our 2025 reunion under way. Covid 19 wreaked havoc on our would and Louisiana was hit especially hard! As much as we hated to cancel the 2021. Later, we had no choice but to cancel the 2023 reunion. Some of our seniors pictured on the cover page are no longer with us(Charles Williams and Joe Hicks). We also continue to grieve the loss of my sister Carolyn Washington. We are coming back in 2025 bigger, better and stronger. I reached out to the elders last year and as a result, the reunion is now called the "BROOKS Family Reunion." It still involves ALL family from the Brooks linage. You know your linage! It was purely a strategic play to have less wording and not cause any confusion. Please register, reserve your room and pay your registration ASAP. Please note that rooms will be a hot commodity Memorial Day weekend. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND REACH OUT TO EVERY FAMILY MEMBER FAR AND NEAR, YOUNG AND OLD. Stay Blessed Family
~THIS IS US~
2nd BIENNIAL FAMILY REUNION~PUTTING OUR BRANCHES TOGETHER
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
Lord willing, our second combined reunion of the Evans, Jordan, Brooks, Rochelle and Kemp Families will be held on May 23rd-25th in Shreveport, LA. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND ENCOURAGE ALL FAMILY TO ATTEND. Provided Covid-19 does not cause our reunion to get cancelled, this grand event will take place the weekend prior to Memorial Day. Please be mindful that this is considered a big revenue making weekend in the hotel industry. The Annual MUDBUG Festival will take place as well as this being Memorial Day weekend. For this reason, rooms will be hard to find at the last minute. The hotel rates will increase for the reunion once the blocked rooms are released. PLEASE RESERVE YOUR ROOM ASAP.
Prices and Deadlines
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
REGISTRATION FEES DEADLINE MARCH 1st 2025. A 25.00 LATE FEE WILL BE INCURRED ON MARCH 2nd FOR EACH REGISTRANT NOT RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY March 1st, 2025. The late fee is to encourage early payment so planning and payments can take place in a timely manner.
$100.00-ages 13+
$50.00-ages 5-12
$15.00 for each additional child ages 5-12 EVERYONE AGE 13 AND UP MUST PAY 100.00. AFTER FOUR CHILDREN OVER AGE 12 HAVE BEEN PAID IN ONE FAMILY, children 12 or younger, the cost is $15.00 (COST OF T-SHIRT ONLY)
ONE T-SHIRT WILL BE PROVIDED PER REGISTRATION FEE. ADDITIONAL T-SHIRTS MAY BE PURCHASED AT $15.00
************************************** IF YOUR REGISTRATION FEES ARE NOT PAID BY MAY 1st(with late fee). YOU WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT.
Tentative Itinerary
Reunion Dates May 23rd-24th & 25th, 2025
Tentative Itinerary
Friday:
1O:00-12:00-Packet/T-shirt Pickup in Park
12:00-5:00pm-Picnic at park
7:00pm-9:00pm-HOTEL-Swimming and Packet Pickup(hotel suite)
Saturday:
8:00am-10:00 Continental Breakfast-Come & Go(Hotel Suite)
2:00 pm-9:00 pm Family Picture/Meeting/Banquet-(Attire to be determined) Family Picture-WE WILL START ON TIME!! The Pavillion-Shreveport’s Private Island
Sunday: Worship.
Lunch
This will conclude our reunion. THIS ITENIRERY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Fees and Methods of Acceptable Payment
https://www.paypal.me/henriettaharris1
$100.00
Registration fees
100.00 ages 13+
50.00 ages 5-12
For families with four or more kids, the cost is 15.00 for each additional child ages 5-12. Any child over 13 must pay 100.00. PLEASE USE THE HONOR SYSTEM HERE.
25.00 Late Fee for each registration not received by March 1, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU INVITE A FAMILY MEMBER OR GUEST TO ANY PORTION OF THE REUNION, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THEIR REGISTRATION AND/OR LATE FEES. THEY WILL KINDLY BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF THEIR FEES ARE NOT PAID IN FULL PRIOR TO ENTERING THE EVENT.
GUEST FEES ARE THE SAME AS FAMILY MEMBERS
Although this was made extremely clear IN 2019, we still had problems with family showing up to both the picnic and banquet without paying. NOT THIS TIME FAMILY!!!
Donations to the reunion may also be made here to assist families in need. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR THIS EVENT. You may donate your fee, and/or YOU may make arrangements for that person to pay you.
Please know that PayPal will collect a 3% fee for each registration. The fee must be included with payment or MUST BE COLLECTED DURING THE MEET AND GREET.
You may also pay with no additional fees via:
Zelle (817-875-9083)
Venmo(@Henrietta-Harris-2)
Cash App($harrishenrietta).
YOU MUST INFORM ME WHICH METHOD YOU ARE PAYING AND GET CONFIRMATION. You MUST email or use U.S. mail to send in registration forms.
If you do not want to pay electronically, you may also mail your payment in the form of cashier's check or money order to Box 262, Aledo, Tx, 76008. NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA MAIL.
~HOTEL INFORMATION~
Our host hotel will be the beautiful Hilton Convention Center Hotel located downtown Shreveport. This location has proven to be most convenient for our needs. Our rate is $139.00 per night. Three nights can be reserved at this rate (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). THE LAST DATE TO RESERVE A ROOM IS MAY 2, 2025. This does not include breakfast but does include free in/out self-parking. VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!! This may be considered early registration, but this will be a VERY BUSY weekend. We initially will have twenty rooms blocked, and five rooms will be added each time the rooms are filled. Once the hotel reaches eighty percent capacity, no additional rooms will be added. I don’t know how quickly the rooms will go, but I have been warned that they will fill up fast. As some of you found out in 2019, this proved to be true.
Updates
YOU MAY START REGISTRATION ASAP. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. THE SOONER YOU REGISTER, THE BETTER WE CAN PLAN. Henrietta