It is said that the first lessons in life are learned at your mother’s knee. For me, the lessons that have shaped my life have extended far beyond that intimate circle. My story has been amplified a thousandfold through the witness of my extended family — lessons lived and shared across generations.
This year, we are honored to host the 52nd reunion of my paternal family — the Hathaways — right here in Baltimore, a city that has nurtured my personal and professional journey.
Our family’s journey began on the shores of West Africa, continuing through the Somerset Plantation in Creswell, North Carolina. Through bondage and beyond, our ancestors never lost sight of their North Star: freedom. That freedom was not just physical, but intellectual, spiritual and communal — embodied in our pursuit of academic achievement, economic empowerment, faith formation and civic engagement.
Our careers have touched every corner of society — ministry, education, arts and culture, politics, sports and entertainment and business. The strength of our family has fortified each of us, helping us resist the traps, tragedies and tricks that too often pull others down. In each story of resilience, in every achievement, in all our sacrifices, we find living proof that “knowing your family strengthens each other.”
Family reunions such as this serve a vital role. They are more than social gatherings — they are sacred moments of reconnection. They anchor each generation with pride and purpose, reminding us of who we are and where we come from. We are descendants of survivors, dreamers and doers.
I’ve been blessed with an active career in the life of Baltimore. Any success I’ve achieved is because I’ve been rooted and grounded in a faith tradition passed down through generations — nurtured by my family, upheld by our ancestors. Truly, “we’ve come this far by faith.” And I still believe, “the family that prays together, stays together.”
So, to my beloved Hathaway family: Welcome to Baltimore. Welcome home.
— Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., Baltimore
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