Our 2027 BMOC Legacy of Love Reunion begins with a beautiful Hawaiian Flair. In Hawaiian, Aloha means love, peace, compassion, and kindness, values that perfectly reflect the spirit of our family reunion.As we gather together July 23rd through July 25th, 2027, our prayer is that each of us experiences the same sense of love, peace, and compassion that one might find while vacationing in Hawaii. Yet, instead of traveling across the ocean, we will discover these blessings through the joy of reconnecting with family and friends. During these challenging times, marked by conflict, uncertainty, inflation, the loss of loved ones, and many other hardships, our reunion committee has worked tirelessly to create an environment where everyone can come together to be refreshed, renewed, and reconnected. We wanted this gathering to be more than an event. We wanted it to be a place of healing, encouragement, and fellowship. This reunion is an opportunity for us to celebrate our legacy by sharing love, joy, laughter, and heartfelt conversations that will enrich our hearts and strengthen our family bonds. Our hope is that when you leave, you will feel as though you have enjoyed a relaxing family vacation getaway, filled with treasured memories, renewed relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the love that unites us all.

Our Vision

Our vision for the BMOC 2027 Family Reunion is rooted in faith, family, love, and legacy. We want to honor and keep the memories of those who came before us as their roots continue to grow deep and wide—the grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and family members who instilled in us the values that continue to guide our lives today. They believed in the power of family and lived by the simple but powerful motto, “The family that prays together stays together.” They also taught us the importance of knowing your people—knowing where you came from, knowing your family, and understanding the legacy that has been entrusted to you.

Many of us can remember when family reunions were centered around the home place or the church. Cousins ran around playing in the dirt, teenagers gathered and grooved to the latest sounds. The men gathered in conversations and laughter as they roasted a pig and other meats, while Grandmother, Momma, and the aunts were in the kitchen preparing a meal made with love. There were homemade pound cakes, pies made from scratch, laughter, storytelling, and family coming from near and far simply because they could not wait to gather and see one another again. Those gatherings gave us something truly special—the comfort and security of being surrounded by people who loved us simply because we were family. It wasn’t about your job, the home you lived in, or the education you had. It was about hearing someone say, “You look just like your grandfather!” or knowing without a doubt, “You are definitely a Ballard, Melvin, Owens, or Cromartie.” And most importantly, it was the joy of seeing one another one more time, because those who came before us understood something we know all too well today: as we grow older, life changes, families grow, and opportunities to gather together become more precious.

Our hope is that the foundation they laid for us will continue to grow and branch into the next generation and the generations to come. We want our children, grandchildren, and future generations to know their family, understand where they come from, and take pride in the legacy that belongs to them.

BMOC is more than a family reunion. It is a celebration of faith, family, love, history, and connection. It is our opportunity to honor those who came before us, cherish those who are with us today, and build relationships that will carry our family forward. May the roots that were planted so many years ago continue to grow deep, the branches continue to reach higher, and the legacy of faith, family, and love continue for generations to come.

Me ke aloha (With love/ With warm regards)

BMOC 2027 Planning Committee