2022 Class of 1987 reunion
Executive Board
Greetings From All of Us
Ron Turner
Greetings and Salutations Essence!
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a Co-Chair for our 35th Reunion. The entire leadership team has worked diligently to make this reunion successful. It is our hope that you not only reunite with old friends but that each of you create new friendships.
Since graduating from Hampton University, my Essence classmates have become much more near and dear to me. Attending reunions, homecomings, and gatherings with our classmates, has helped me to foster a greater appreciation for each and every one of you. The events in our country since 2017 have shown us that we need to nurture and strengthen our bonds not only as classmates, but as an HBCU.
To quote Booker T. Washington, one of our most illustrious alumnus, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for
others”. Therefore, my Essence classmates, by participating in our 35th Reunion, you are providing financial support to “Our Home by the Sea” and emotional support to each other.
Peace and blessing to Essence, Class of 1987.
michelle Taylor
Greetings Essence,
It is my hope that you and yours are doing well. Can you believe that our 35th class reunion at our beautiful Home by the Sea – Hampton University is finally here?
Five years ago, we were maskless, fearless and acting like we were in our early thirties at the 30th class reunion. Arriving early on Thursday to ensure that we kicked off an error free weekend from preparing swag bags that evening, meet and greet at Mango Mango with our silent auction, taking it back to the hotel to party, alumni picnic, class photo, class meeting, alumni banquet handing over all those dead presidents, partying again, Zumba classes, remembering our fallen classmates and ending our reunion on Sunday with a brunch.
Now, hit that fast forward button. We have been marked safe from the attempted re-election of Donald J. Trump, witnessed a world pandemic that has changed every facet of life, added masks to our everyday wardrobes and must carry CDC vaccination cards in our wallets.
Now to my message….Welcome Essence to what your executive board hopes to be the most memorable weekend since the onset of this pandemic. For the next two days, forget about your worries, put the cool back in old school, connect, recharge and at the same time remember to wear that mask.
It has been a pleasure to work with this dynamic group. We laughed, begged to differ and still have had a blast coordinating this effort.
Jamean, Karen, Kecia, Kim, Renita, Ron, Trey, Troy and Valerie you all have a special place in my heart!
Hampton Hugs,
Michelle Taylor
Co-Leader 35th Class Reunion
Jamean alexander
The Essence Family,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our 35th Essence Class Reunion Weekend, May 6, 2022 – May 8, 2022 at Hampton University.. As a member of the Essence Reunion Executive Board, I hope that you enjoy the activities that we have planned to renew and create friendships that will continue to last for years to come. It seems that it was just yesterday when we arrived at “Our Home by the Sea” to earn “An Education for Life.”
We joined various organizations and were members of athletic teams or participated in the Marching Band or the University Choir. For some of us, we attended Pre-College and became freshmen at Hampton Institute and then graduated as promising leaders from Hampton University.
Through our life’s journey, we have received degrees, productive careers, raised families, are grandparents and have even retired with a second career on the horizon..
As a new era begins with the retirement of our University President Dr. William R. Harvey, the Essence Class is also on a new journey.. The number “35” signifies focus, transformation, and positivity.
We have the focus to recruit the future generations to Hampton University. We have the power to transform ourselves into outstanding alumni who give back.. We present the positivity that was given to us to succeed. Let us cherish the memories we have made with each other and remember those classmates who brightly shine within our thoughts and prayers.
I wish all of you a wonderful time as we celebrate 35 years of blessings and favor upon what has been defined as “Being or can be in its proper place or being identified as what is significant”. WE ARE ESSENCE.
Love and Best Wishes,
Jamean
valerie jacques
Hello Essence class of 87’!!! Our 35th Anniversary has finally arrived, and we hope that each of you is as excited for the weekend’s festivities as we are. We have tirelessly worked to present two days jam packed with fun, tomfoolery, reminiscing and camaraderie all behind the shield of being able to act 21 years old for two whole DAYS!!! With the veil of COVID always lurking this time before us is meant to offer a glimpse of how it used to be, putting the cool back in old school. Staying safe is our priority but having fun is the goal that MUST be met this weekend.
Love to you all and don’t forget to HAVE A BLAST!!
karen birckhead
Greetings Essence,
I’m so proud I picked Hampton University as my school of choice for nursing. After over 30 years in the field, I still feel blessed and glad I chose this field. What I learned at Hampton helped to make me strive to be the best at what I do and be proud to represent my alma mater.
I can’t believe it has been 35 years already. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and talking about all the fun times we had at our “Home By The Sea.”
Karen L. Birckhead, RN, BSN, CMNL
nathaniel trey williams
Hello Classmates,
Thirty-five years ago, we graduated from Hampton – black, beautiful and brilliant. I hope you will join me and the rest of the Reunion Planning Team for our 35th reunion, May 6-8th. I promise you will laugh a lot, maybe even cry a little, but mainly you will make new memories and rekindle friendships.
Nathaniel “Trey” Williams
kecia blackson
Greetings my dearest Essence Family and welcome to the 35th anniversary of our commencement from our beloved Home by the Sea. I hope this message finds you well, excited and ready to celebrate this wonderful occasion. I bring you greetings of hope, peace and love as it appears the occasion of our 35thh anniversary has collided with perhaps the most uncertainty we have known in our life time. So I encourage you to remain steadfast to your faith, love more, laugh louder and often, bask in the nostalgia of our time on campus and of reunions past, make new memories and live your dreams today; for as we all know, tomorrow isn’t promised and the past is just beyond our reach. The present is the gift. Cherish it always.
Peace and Love,
Kecia Blackson, Esq.
Essence Family 1987
troy bishop
Greetings Fellow Essence Class of 1987 Members
We are super excited to see all of you during our 35th Class reunion! The place that shaped, taught, and allowed us to become who we are today.
I look forward to celebrating our successes, legacy, and future days.
I also, want to play homage to those who are now with us only in spirit and recognize their indelible influence on each of us.
Look forward to being together soon!
Troy Bishop
kim thompson fields
Greetings Essence,
Welcome home!
It has been five years since our last reunion. During this time, we have experienced so much on a personal, professional, national, and worldwide level. My hope is that for just this weekend you will be able to sit back and enjoy time at Our Home by the Sea with our fellow Essence classmates.
The next three days will be amazing with non-stop action-packed activities. From our Friday night Derby theme party to our closing Sunday brunch, let’s get this party started.
Kudos to a great leadership team who I have had the pleasure of working with and looking forward to making great memories.
Congrats on our 35th class reunion.
Hampton Hugs,
Kim Thompson Fields
Renita Kennedy
Greetings and welcome home to the one and only Essence Class of 1987! For some, a return to our Home by the Sea has been a long time coming, and for others, it is a regular event. While there have been many changes on campus since we graduated from Hampton University to accomplish great things, the “essence” of Hampton remains: a place where students are transformed into adults.
Again, as a member of the Essence Class of 1987 Executive Board, it is my pleasure to welcome you back home for our 35th Reunion weekend. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, form new bonds with classmates and take in all that Hampton has become. I look forward to seeing you under the Emancipation Oak, at Ogden Circle or at one of the many special places on campus. Enjoy the reunion festivities, and may your journey continue to be divinely blessed.
Renita R. Kennedy
Renita Kennedy
Greetings and welcome home to the one and only Essence Class of 1987! For some, a return to our Home by the Sea has been a long time coming, and for others, it is a regular event. While there have been many changes on campus since we graduated from Hampton University to accomplish great things, the “essence” of Hampton remains: a place where students are transformed into adults.
Again, as a member of the Essence Class of 1987 Executive Board, it is my pleasure to welcome you back home for our 35th Reunion weekend. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, form new bonds with classmates and take in all that Hampton has become. I look forward to seeing you under the Emancipation Oak, at Ogden Circle or at one of the many special places on campus. Enjoy the reunion festivities, and may your journey continue to be divinely blessed.
Renita R. Kennedy
Renita Kennedy
Greetings and welcome home to the one and only Essence Class of 1987! For some, a return to our Home by the Sea has been a long time coming, and for others, it is a regular event. While there have been many changes on campus since we graduated from Hampton University to accomplish great things, the “essence” of Hampton remains: a place where students are transformed into adults.
Again, as a member of the Essence Class of 1987 Executive Board, it is my pleasure to welcome you back home for our 35th Reunion weekend. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, form new bonds with classmates and take in all that Hampton has become. I look forward to seeing you under the Emancipation Oak, at Ogden Circle or at one of the many special places on campus. Enjoy the reunion festivities, and may your journey continue to be divinely blessed.
Renita R. Kennedy