2027 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.
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
Michelle Taylor (In Memoriam)
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
valerie jacques
Hello Essence class of 87’!!! Our 40 h Reunion will be arriving soon, and we hope that everyone is as
excited for the weekend’s festivities as we are. We have worked tirelessly to present 3 days jam
packed with fun, tomfoolery, reminiscing and camaraderie all behind the shield of being able to act
21 years old!!! This time is meant to offer a glimpse of how it used to be. 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!!
Valeri Jacques
karen birckhead
Greetings Essence,
I’m so proud that I picked Hampton University as my school of choice for nursing. After over 35
years in the field, I still feel blessed and glad that 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 40 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
Nathaniel Trey Williams III
Hello Classmates,
For over 40 years we’ve known each other. We have seen mountain top highs and
valley lows. Through it all we’ve had our family, friends and Hampton University to lean
on. Please join us at our 40th reunion, May 6-9, 2027. I promise you will laugh a lot,
maybe even cry a little, but mainly you will make new memories and rekindle friendships
at our Home By The Sea.
kecia blackson
Greetings my dearest Essence Family and welcome to the 40 th 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 40th Reunion 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 40th Class Reunion! Hampton University is 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 the 40th Reunion weekend
you will be able to sit back and enjoy time at Our Home by the Sea with our fellow Essence
classmates.
Those three days will be amazing with non-stop action-packed activities. From our Friday night
party to our closing Sunday activity, let’s have a blast!
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 40th class reunion.
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
Lisa Hart Grammer
Hello Essence Family,
Our 40 th class reunion is quickly approaching, and I am excited to work with the rest of
the executive board. I promise to work extremely hard to try to fill the large shoes that
Michelle Taylor once occupied with the role of financial steward.
As we prepare for the reunion, we have several goals which include raising money for
the university and helping Hampton to become the school with the #1 student and
alumni experience. Another significant goal is to engage classmates who have not
participated in previous reunions. This goal strikes a chord with me because my father,
(a Hampton bachelor’s and master’s degree recipient from 1957 and 1965,
respectively), taught me the importance of giving back to your school.
Hampton is in my DNA.
My parents met while working together at Hampton and married
I was born in Newport News
I met my husband, Neil, during our Freshman year and started dating at the
beginning of our senior year
Hampton may have expanded and looks different than when we attended but it
continues to have my heart. My connection remains strong by regularly staying in touch
with friends who I met during my college years, as well as by working with our local
Hampton alumni chapters. My involvement with the alumni association allows me to
form so many new connections with both seasoned and recently graduated
Hamptonians.
I would like to challenge each of us to follow the mission from many years ago, “Each
one, Reach one”. Please find the classmates that have not attended a reunion recently
and invite them to join as we begin this journey to celebrate our 40 th class reunion.
Essence class, let’s make this a fun, exciting and memorable weekend.
Love and hugs,
Lisa (Hart) Grammer
Ellen Montgomery Robinson
Hello Essence Class of ’87!
It is a joy to welcome everyone back to Our Home by the Sea as we celebrate our 40th Reunion! Over the years, we have grown, accomplished so much, and created countless memories, but the bond of Essence remains strong.
May this weekend be filled with laughter, reminiscing, friendship, and plenty of fun as we celebrate this incredible milestone together. Let’s cherish every moment and make our 40th Reunion one to remember!
Welcome home, Essence, and let’s celebrate 40 amazing years!
Lori Arnwine Baker
Greetings Essence!
I hope you are getting excited about our upcoming 40-year class reunion! This
milestone is the most momentous of all for me. It reflects so many wonderful, life-
changing events that have shaped who I am today.
Undoubtedly, HU played a pivotal role in my 39-year federal career. Over the past four
decades, life has brought many seasons—from navigating marriage and divorce, to
experiencing the profound physical and emotional loss of family and friends, to deeply
growing my spiritual faith in God. Today, I am thoroughly enjoying retirement life with my
new boo (a fellow Hamptonian for the win!), our children, bonus children, and
grandchildren.
I am praying for a record number of returning classmates to celebrate with us (the
reunion committee), and I truly hope that includes you!
Lori Arnwine Baker