Dear Westbrook Family, 

Welcome to Chicago! 

It is a great honor to welcome you to our city founded by the Haitian fur trader, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, and shaped by the Great Migration. Notable figures like President Barack Obama, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Gwendolyn Brooks have made their mark here, alongside many others. During the reunion, we will be able to stand on the ground where Frederick Douglass advocated for human rights, showcasing Chicago’s rich legacy of diversity, inclusion, and a call to action.

As we gather in this historic city, we are reminded of the deep roots of our family’s history and legacy. We stand on the shoulders of our remarkable ancestors, tracing our lineage back to Mary Westbrook, whose seven sons began our transformative family line. According to the 1870 Shelby County Census in Tennessee, our roots formed between Ellendale and Brunswick, where their household first appears in public record.

From 1870 to 2026, 156 years have passed—156 years of resilience, migration, growth, and the steady flourishing of the Westbrook name. What began in one Tennessee household has now expanded across the nation—from Dallas to D.C., from California to Chattanooga, and everywhere in between.

This year’s reunion is not only a celebration of ancestry, but an affirmation of innovation, unity, and connection in a time when our society often feels deeply divided. It is in moments like this—when we gather as one family—that we rebuild bridges, strengthen ties, and remind ourselves what community truly means. While preparing for this reunion alongside our phenomenal planning team, I came across our 1982 Family Reunion pamphlet. Inside, it featured a passage from Desiderata, the celebrated poem by Max Ehrmann, an early 20th-century American writer and philosopher known for his reflections on peace, purpose, and the human experience.

One line resonated deeply with me and feels especially fitting for this moment:

“Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

​

In the midst of today’s challenges, uncertainties, and the tribulations our communities face, this simple reminder carries great power. It calls us to hold space for joy even when the world feels heavy, to choose kindness with one another, and to keep hope alive for future generations of Westbrooks. 

Our family has endured, adapted, and thrived for over a century and a half—not because life was easy, but because we remained connected, steadfast, and forward-looking. My hope is that this reunion reignites that spirit in all of us as we reflect on where we come from and envision where we are going. That’s the Westbrook Way!

Special thanks to the following family members who have stepped up to help make our reunion a success:          The Westbrook Family Reunion Planning Committee includes Kim Knighton (Detroit), Mackenzie Meadows (Chicago), Madison Meadows (Los Angeles), Sarah Jones (Dallas), Yvonne Jones (Memphis), Lauryn Lampley (Chicago), Charles Lampley (Chicago), Jarrett Lampley (Los Angeles), and Cathy Johnson (Louisville).

We’re looking forward to celebrating and reconnecting -- together we build a legacy of love and purpose.

With joy, pride, and anticipation,