The year was 1973 when Frances James-Harden had a conversation with her mother Helen Ernestine Richard-James. Frances indicated to her mother that everyone should come together. Ernestine had a strong desire to bring the family together and keep them together. Everyone was scattered all across America.  As a result, Ernestine began telling all her children that we were going to have a family reunion. Ernestine and her sister Queenie Mae Richard (a.k.a. “little Honey”) jointly facilitated organizing the first family reunion.

The following year, all the children and grandchildren of Ernestine James came “home” to Monroe, Louisiana to gather together for the 1st James Family Reunion. It was held in Ernestine’s backyard on Thursday, July 4, 1974.

The James Family Reunion began as a 3-day weekend event.  Each year the family reunion continued to grow.  Then, to be more inclusive, Richard was added.  As a result, it became James Richard Family Reunion.

Each year the family reunion moved between the four cities of Monroe, Louisiana; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Chicago, Illinois.  After so many years our family reunion branched out to various cities outside of these four.  During our 1991 family reunion in Kansas City, Kansas, it was decided to start having our family reunions during the first weekend in August of each year.

Our children continued to grow and wanted to see more of America.  Many could not afford vacation coupled with attending a family reunion in the same year.  Family members wanted to make the family reunion more of a vacation combined with family.  This would employ the opportunity for family members to see America.  Therefore the family reunion redirected its focus on moving to different cities and states year to year.  The James Richard Family Reunion then became a focal point for a family reunion/vacation for many families.