By Imani Asukile, Tampa Tribune Correspondent

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the most popular time for family reunions in the black community. Many families will gather to celebrate life, express thanks to the creator, learn something new, showcase talents and, most of all, unify. The color-coordinated T-shirts worn during these celebrations symbolize unity, togetherness. The reunion transcends religion, political persuasions, skin complexions, gender, geography and socioeconomic status.

The descendants of the late Rachel Bates and husband James Barker are readying for the 72nd annual Bates-Ingram family reunion this weekend in Newark, N.J. This gathering dates back before the late-'70s, when the "Roots" TV miniseries stimulated a renewed interest in family gatherings. The Bates-Ingram reunion started as a simple backyard cookout on July 4, 1936. Today, the events are held in hotels, theme parks, cruise ships and other destinations.

More than 300 family members from the Northeast and the South are expected to attend, including a couple of dozen from Pasco County. In years past, the reunion has been held in Virginia, Georgia, Philadelphia and Tampa and will move to Fort Lauderdale, Washington and Tampa in the coming years. It starts off with an ice-breaker Friday, a picnic and banquet on Saturday and breakfast and church Sunday. I'm sure a few will visit the casinos, too.

To read more go to: http://www2.tbo.com/news/pasco/2008/jun/13/pa-black-family-reunions-are-transcendent-ar-133558/