There is the Annual Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour to inspire black families to come together," says Nichole Taylor it's president. Other major events include The Annual African American Family Reunion and Cultural Festival and the 19th Annual Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration in Cincinnati, OH.

There are also the growing offerings of special family reunion tours, genealogy related travel and cruise packages featured by top travel and hospitality agencies that are keeping the embers burning.

That said, it must be acknowledged that African American institutions along with other social, government and foreign policy programs have made significant contributions to the popularity of traditional and not so traditional family reunion celebrations of today. These combined contributions have impacted social events and caused a stir seemingly for the better as the interests in family reunions appear to be charged and growing.

"The tradition of uniting the family in order to publicly celebrate births, memorialize deaths, speak of legends, make social and family contributions is a thing imprinted on the mind, heart and soul of many communities both predominantly black and otherwise the world over." says Mark Askew, founder of the Family Reunion Planner resource at http://family-reunion-planner.fimark.net.

For families of various ethnic persuasions the uniting of generations of family members is a universal family tradition that's been alive and well since the chronicling of oral and written family history began. Still what we learn from the African American family reunion tradition is the need to keep the fires burning, drawing strength, support and building strong family sentiments that hone the skills of family unity for generations to come.

If you're thinking of having a family reunion there are many software and book titles that can guide you through the process of planning, organizing and throwing a memorable family reunion.