Reclaiming Our Legacy: Why Family Is Still Our Strongest Institution
By Germar Reed
Dear Family,
As you gather for another Cunningham-Reed Family Reunion—this time in Ypsilanti, Michigan—my heart is with you even though I cannot be there in person. While I may not share the laughter and hugs this weekend, I want to leave a few words to frame this occasion and remind us why these gatherings are sacred.
Why Ypsilanti Matters
This year’s reunion location holds a powerful chapter in our family's story. In the early 1940s, members of our family left the familiar fields of Indiana and traveled north to Michigan in search of opportunity. They were part of the great wave of African Americans who sought a better life during and after World War II, following the promise of steady work in the automobile industry.
They didn’t make that move lightly. It was a journey of courage, faith, and resilience—a journey that changed our family forever. They came to join Uncle John and Aunt Hazel Reed, the son and daughter-in-law of Charles and Sophia Reed, who had already laid down roots in Ypsilanti. This decision was not just about survival; it was about building a future, creating stability, and ensuring that future generations would have opportunities they could only dream of.
When we gather in Ypsilanti today, we are not just coming together for food and fellowship; we are also coming together for a deeper purpose. The continuation of family tradition.
The Power of Our Traditions
The Cunningham-Reed family has never been ordinary. We have endured, adapted, and thrived for more than a century because we hold on to what matters most: faith, family, and legacy.
Our reunions are not just social events—they are acts of remembrance and renewal. Every meal shared, every story told, every photo taken is a way of saying: We are still here. We are still one. We refuse to let the threads of our history unravel.
Traditions like these are not old-fashioned—they are anchors in a stormy sea. They remind us that family is our first institution—our first source of love, support, and wisdom. When the world changes, when systems fail, family endures.
Why This Moment Matters
The story of Ypsilanti is part of the story of America—but more importantly, it’s part of the story of us. It’s about movement, opportunity, and transformation. It’s about a family that knew how to adapt and survive while holding on to its values.
Think about what this means for us today. The same courage that brought our loved ones north, the same determination that kept them going—that spirit is in you. It is in every Cunningham, every Reed, every child running around at this reunion today. That is why these traditions matter: they keep our identity alive, they remind us of our resilience, and they prepare us for whatever comes next.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
So as you celebrate, laugh, and catch up, I challenge you to do three things:
Honor the Past. Tell the stories. Speak the names. Make sure every child knows about Uncle John and Aunt Hazel Reed, about Howard County, about the sacrifices that got us here.
Strengthen the Present. Love each other. Forgive each other. Support each other. We are stronger together.
Secure the Future. Don’t let these reunions fade. Appoint leaders—set dates. Keep the caravan moving—because our story is still being written.
Even though I’m not there in person, I am there in spirit—celebrating our shared legacy, grateful for our traditions, and believing in the future of this extraordinary family.
Because in the end, we are more than a family—we are a living institution. And the Cunningham-Reed family is the most extraordinary institution we will ever own.
With love,
Germar Eugene Reed
