Last Black Homecoming held Saturday
Friendships forged by the youth that grew up in Uniontown’s East End community during the 1950s-1970s were celebrated one last time Saturday as they gathered for the final Black Homecoming.
Over 250 people attended the event held at the Uniontown Country Club where they enjoyed dinner and a dance that marked the 26th reunion.
“It’s been a marvelous journey for all of us,” said Natalie Hunter, treasurer of the Uniontown Black Homecoming committee. “There’s been a camaraderie with this group.”
This year’s reunion once again included a three-day event that kicked off Friday at the Curry Dyson VFW and will end today with a closing picnic at Shady Grove Park at 1:30 p.m.
However, the ages and failing health of the committee members, their families and friends resulted in the decision to end the reunion this year.
The Uniontown Black Homecoming held its first reunion in 1985 and again in 1987 before it became a triennial event.
Hunter said the late Nancy Jenkins was instrumental in bringing the youth together since the East End playground served as a second home to them during the summer months.
“She taught us many things about our childhood,” said Hunter.
Hunter said Jenkins is most remembered for her leadership roles as playground director and girl scout director. “She had a way about her,” Hunter added.
Ken Johnson and his wife, Carla, founded the homecoming committee that included residents and classmates who shared their desire to re-acquaint with each other and re-establish old friendships.
“We’ve seen the conversation change over the years from talking about jobs and professions to retirement,” said Ken Johnson.
The first reunion was held in 1985 at the former Shady Side Inn with a dinner and a dance.
It targeted blacks who attended schools in the Uniontown Area, North Union, South Union and St. John’s.聽
Gloria Elaine Norwood-Long, who grew up on Butler Street in Uniontown, recalled how black seniors were segregated from attending the prom in the 1950s when she was a high school senior.
As a result, Long said they formed a club called the S.U.N. abbreviated for South Union, Uniontown and North Union high schools.
“It stayed in our generation,” said Hunter.
Long’s daughter, Valorie Long Merrell of Texas, said the homecoming has been an important part of her mother’s life.
“She never missed one,” said Merrell, who has attended them with her.
Long said the memories shared at each homecoming have made her feel young again.
Over the years, the reunions included tennis tournaments, basketball shoot-offs, bowling tournaments, golf outings, pool parties, oldies but goodies dances with a dance contest, underground railroad festivities with displays of photos and memorabilia and the recognition of icons and community service leaders such as Jenkins and the late James (Deacon) Brown.
“We lost a lot of our playmates and soul mates since we began,” said Hunter.
Ken Johnson, who serves as vice-chairman of East End United Community Center, said he is hoping the younger generation will step up to the plate and form a similar committee to continue the tradition.
“It’s amazing how many people we’ve lost since it started,” said Johnson.
Although the reunion is gone, Johnson said he is hoping the committee聽will still hold a picnic every two years.
Johnson is also aiming to have another display at the underground railroad site on Baker Alley at the Fayette County Housing authority building.