People often talk about how social media has ruined the high school reunion since we have constant updates from the people we grew up with.
Still, I have been to every official high school reunion, including our 25th, and joined the planning committee.
Nothing replaces getting a hug from someone who knew you before you even knew yourself.
In high school, I remember imagining what our reunions would be like in the future.
Would everyone still look the same? Would anyone be famous? Would I still be friends with 'my crew'? Would I become the writer I often saw myself being living away from Detroit? Would my high school boyfriend and I be married with kids? Would our reunion be the Black version of a corny Hallmark movie or an episode of 'Martin'?
Twenty five years later, I traveled back to my hometown of Detroit to Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School to experience that moment in person.
The author's alma mater, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Recently, I’ve heard many people suggest that class reunions are a waste of time or a thing of the past in the age of social media.
The author with her high school's 25-year reunion planning committee
Courtesy of Iconic Photo Booths and Events
But even though we now have the privilege of constant life updates from our high school buddies, nothing can replace the experience of getting a hug from someone who 'knew you before you quite did.'
I decided to join the planning committee to ensure our reunion made people want to log off social media and show up in person.
I am what most people would consider an extrovert.
The author's class of 1998 yearbook
Jamishia J.J. Smith
I am the connector in most of my circles and go out of my way to stay in touch with people. But even then, when my nearly 500-person class graduated high school on June 11th, 1998, I had a feeling we would never be back in the same room again. Still, I believed my core group of friends would always stay connected — we even pooled our money together to purchase a yearbook ad and vowed to stay 'beside each other' forever.
We’ve had three official reunions since graduating, our 10th, 20th and 25th. I have been there for every single one of them.
An invitation for the author's 25-year high school reunion
Courtesy of Custom Designs Lab
I have always said that I would rather reunite for happy occasions and not just for sad ones, like funerals. I have expressed this to my classmates over the years when talking about how important I believe reunions are.
Our class has lost at least five classmates over the last few years. When the planning committee was on the fence about planning our 25th reunion, thinking about how many people we have lost reinvigorated us to organize and get everyone back together again, even with just a few months to spare.
A few months, 10 Zoom meetings, and about 1,998 text messages later, our seven-person planning committee put together a 2-day reunion with a $0 operating budget.
The reunion planning committee
Courtesy of The Real You Photography
It was perfect for our 25-year reunion. We even included a keepsake t-shirt to remain color-coordinated, which is a must amongst Black folk.
Despite having a short amount of time and limited resources, the reunion was a success.
Photos from the reunion
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
We were glad to pour back into the local Detroit community by hosting two of our events at venues owned by Black women. The first night was more casual and simply reminiscent of how we would have been kicking it as teenagers on a Friday night. We used to call them 'swing outs.'
Tamia's hit "Can't Get Enough" brought everyone out onto the dance floor.
Everyone began line dancing during the Tamia track.
Courtesy of The Real You Photography
On Saturday, we hosted a more formal event to close out the weekend.
The author planning for the Saturday event.
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
Everyone was excited to put on their 1920s inspired clothing to reflect our 25th year out of high school. Hours before our event was to start, we found out our location lost power due to a storm. I got the text while eating brunch with our high school guidance counselor and she suggested I asked the restaurant owner if we could use her establishment since they closed early. A few text messages later, an agreement was made and staff was secured for us to host it at the restaurant.
On Saturday, I got to hang out with friends from my favorite group chats. I laugh daily thanks to these people who have been in my life for decades.
The author reuniting with friends at the reunion.
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
I even got to hang out with two of my oldest friends who I’ve known since elementary school. We cried while catching up with each other.
The author with her friends from elementary school.
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
We hired fellow alumni DJ M.I.X to provide the entertainment for the night.
The author with DJ Mixx
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
Prior to our reunion, a group of my classmates and I had gone to see Beyoncé make her Renaissance tour stop in Detroit.
The author at Beyoncé's Renaissance tour
Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith
It was the best way of kicking off our 25th year in complete style.
The entire reunion experience ended up being unforgettable.
The author's high school friends, now married with a family
Courtesy of Dixon Family
It was so good to reminisce, laugh, catch up, and just hug in person. Even though we don't always talk daily, we have been there with each other through the ups and downs of life. We've been there through funerals, financial woes, divorces, job losses, but also through remarkable moments, like college graduations, book launches, promotions, world travels, weddings, and so much more. I am so proud to have gone to high school with so many leaders and role models.
Two of my classmates have been together since our high school days, and now they share a beautiful family together. I was there from day 1 of their courtship in the 9th grade and stood by their side as a bridesmaid at their wedding.
We knew this reunion wouldn’t be as big as our 20 year weekend due to hectic schedules.
A classmate who could not make it to the reunion photoshopped himself into a group photo.
Courtesy of Anthony 'Spice' Adams
However, many of our classmates that couldn't make it in person stayed connected through our social media updates. Due to a scheduling conflict, one of my dearest friends and fellow planning committee members, Anthony "Spice" Adams could not make it. So the former NFL player and social media influencer decided to put himself right in the mix to avoid feeling left out.
If you're on the fence, don't skip out on your upcoming class reunion. Get your hugs, your photos, and make new memories that can only happen if you continue to create them.
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