About the Return to Our Roots Reunion
The African word “Griot” means storyteller. Today, storytellers are traditionally keepers of society’s history.
Messages were passed down through the generations through speech or song and may take the form of folktales and fables, epic histories and narration, proverbs and sayings. They help people make sense of the world and are used to teach children and adults about important aspects of their culture.
For centuries, the history, beliefs and folklore of West African communities have been kept alive through the tradition of music and storytelling.
The Return to our Roots Reunion is our way of storytelling … passing down through the generations the rich history of El Paso as seen through the eyes of the small percentage of African Americans who grew up in El Paso and what was treasured the most. It is about sharing all of this information with those presently residing in the Sun City. It also lends the opportunity to learn about the growth of El Paso’s African American community since the early days to present.
Enjoy tours of the Old Neighborhoods, historical sites including Douglass Grammar and High School, notable points of interest, the Digie Wall and more! We will fellowship with the oldest Black Churches in El Paso – Second Baptist Church, Visitors Chapel A.M.E. and St. James-Myrtle United Methodist.
Support the University of Texas at El Paso Black Alumni Homecoming activities as well as the McCall Center’s Bi-Annual Legacy Luncheon which are integral parts of El Paso’s history.
Meet and greet El Paso’s very own native Black Authors. Those invited to the Authors’ Corner for book signings are the Honorable Barbara Lee – Congresswoman (CA), Mr. Ron Stallworth also known as “The Black Klansman”, Ms. Jeanette DesBoine, Ms. Eva Yvonne Kirk and others.
Listen to the recorded smooth sounds of jazz artist Nick Mathis as we enjoy a wonderful banquet and afterwards, dance the night away with music provided by the amazing Dream Merchant Band!
So, we invite you all …. whether you attended the historic Douglass Grammar and High School, or grew up in the old neighborhoods such as Second Ward, “The Projects, Central El Paso, Hacienda Heights, the lower Valley, or Northeast. If you currently attend or have attended the University of Texas at El Paso (formerly known as Texas Western College), currently active or retired Military along with families, or just decided to reside here in the Sun City.