Dr. Vargus led off the program.
Over 60 staff and public attended the program African American Family Reunions, History & Genealogy on Jan 25th in Mancini Hall.
The program featured five guest speakers: Dr Ione Vargus, faculty from Temple University founder of the Temple University Family Reunion Institute; Sheila Linton, spokesperson for the National Bullock Family; Grace Johnson, Assistant Director of the Office of Multicultural Services @ OCC; Dawn Heyson from the Lacey branch; and Jeannie Collacott from the Toms River branch.
The program was an opportunity for everyone to learn about the value of family reunions for all families and the unique significance and history of family reunions for African Americans.
Entertaining and informative, the program was a great mix of first-person narrative and instruction, and it was very well received by all attendees! Many even said they will make an effort to attend their family reunion, record their family history and dig deeper into their family’s genealogy.
Photos from the event can be seen at our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oceancountylibrary/sets/72157629031590897/
