When slavery ended, the formerly enslaved began the process of trying to reunite with family members. People used newspaper ads, letters and word of mouth to try to find loved ones they’d been separated from in hopes of a family reunion, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Their efforts, historians say, highlighted the importance of family as foundational to their status as free people.

Now that summer is in full swing in Cleveland, the age-old tradition of family reunions is going strong. Signal Cleveland had the privilege of being invited to the Parks/Perrymond/Perryman family reunion, which took place last month in Garfield Park. (One family member explained that a long time ago some family started spelling their last name Perryman while others used Perrymond. “But that’s a story for another day,” she said.)

5:30 a.m. call time

To ensure the day went smoothly, Vernon Parks got to the park at 5:30 a.m. The park opens at 6 a.m., and pavilion space operates on a first come, first served basis.

Later Jim Parks, who is the lead grill master, arrived at 6:30 a.m. He is responsible for arranging the grilling each year. This year, there was one smoker, one grill and one 24-inch flat plate.

Jim Parks began grilling at the age of 9, when he was taught by his grandfather, Arthur Parks Sr., on an improvised grill.

“The first thing I learned how to grill were ribs,” Jim Parks said. “We used a wash tub sitting in the alley with grading coming out of the oven. This is my fifth time being the head cook for our family reunion.”

He noted the importance of being organized for an event of this scale and size.

“Everyone must be on one accord,” he said. “This was the first year that we had asked everyone in the family to help with something. We had family meetings about who would be doing what, who would be in charge of inviting the family and things like that. We told every family who was coming to bring a cooler just for the kids that had pop, water and juice.”

He continued to express his love for the youth in the family.

“The kids are our future, so we always want to make sure they are taken care of. It means a lot to see them attend because they saw how we got together, how we cracked jokes and how we just had a good time. That’s what it’s all about.”

A family potluck

As the hours passed, family members and friends trickled into the park. By 5 p.m., there were easily more than 60 people in attendance, with plenty more continuing to arrive. People began to make their plates, play games and catch up with family members they hadn’t seen in a long time – or were meeting for the first time.

A DJ played some classic songs like “Family Reunion” by the O’Jays and other more recent hits (of course, only playing the clean versions). Some folks danced.

The food table was one of the highlights, as the Parks/Perrymond/Perryman family did a potluck-style family dinner. Grilled meats, collard greens, baked beans and macaroni and cheese were just a few of the dozens of dishes available for family and friends to enjoy.

‘We need more unity’

Kathleen Williams arrived at the park early to assist with the set up and assemble memorial boards. The boards feature obituaries and photos of family members who have passed away.

“My grandfather was Eddy Lee Samuel Perrymond Sr. He was born and raised in Georgia,” Williams said. “He got married and moved to Cleveland. My father, Eddy Lee Samuel Perrymond Jr., was born here along with myself and five other siblings.”

Williams got the idea to assemble the boards from her niece. Creating the boards stirred up many emotions for her.

“As I was putting the boards together, it just made me realize how many fond memories I have of my family who are no longer here,” Williams said. “I am the only one of my siblings who is still alive; both of my parents are gone. It can be difficult sometimes, but I try to focus on the good times we had together.”

Williams also noted the importance of bringing the family together as often as possible.

“When I looked around at the reunion, I realized that I didn’t know half of the people there, but I knew that they were all family in some way,” Williams said. “A lot of our young people don’t know their family history, and that is so important to me.”

“Back in the day, we all knew who everyone in our family was. We looked out for each other, everybody did their part when they could. We weren’t charging money for favors. So much has changed in that regard.”

Williams believes the solution to that is simple … love.

“Love each other. Let go of the hurt and animosity of the past and find a way to move forward. We need each other now more than ever, so I hope the young people of my family and other families will help carry on the tradition.”

‘Family over everything’

Nicole Perrymond, 40, had been looking forward to the reunion since she heard about it. She is the granddaughter of Kathleen Williams.

“I am very family-oriented. I like to know who my family is,” Perrymond said. “There are so many people in our family that come from different places and are different races. Reunions are a learning experience for me.”

Perrymond recalled memories from her youth of always being around her family.

“When I was growing up, our house was the house everyone came to,” she remembered. “I lived with my great-grandfather and grandmother. From sun up to sun down, family would come in and out all day. They would tell us stories from their past. They grew up during the Civil Rights era. I just learned so much from them.”

Perrymond is proud of both sides of the family for taking the time to celebrate together. She was looking forward to the next family gathering, which was her birthday the very next week.

“My birthday was right after the reunion, it was basically a family reunion part two,” she said. “We came together, which can be hard to do these days. Everyone needs their family at some point, so I’m happy everything worked out.”

See a photo album of the Parks/Perrymond/Perryman reunion from photographer Kenyatta Crisp.