I remember how delightful it was to visit Boston in 2004 for the first EBONI reunion. That was some 20 years on from my final year at Emerson College. It was truly a world-class event with alumnae traveling from Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as from California, Florida, Massachusetts and many points in between.

So many memories came flooding back when meeting people who “hadn’t changed a bit” over three decades. Of course we had, but, as they say, age ain’t mothing but a number. Even then, too many of us had passed on and were sorely missed. 120 Beacon Street was sold in 2003 – so sitting on the wall was officially a thing of the past. But the new Emerson facilities being created far surpassed what we had in the 1970s. And the Emersonians we saw were no less beautiful than the way we were, and most likely even better situated to make their way as communications professionals. It was a lovely interlude.

Fast forward some 20 years to 2024 and EBONI’s reunion in Washington, DC was an even more poignant event. The intervening decades had thinned our ranks further, which made greeting old friends even more gratifying. The Boston ambiance was missed, but Bean Town has changed even more than we have. So hanging out in the bar at the Henley Park Hotel was even better (and more comfortable) than sitting on the wall at 120 Beacon.

First of all, I have to give a shout-out to Mother Nature from some of the most beautiful weather In DC history! Every day was sunny with low humidity that continued into warm, breezy evenings. Behind the scenes was a colossal amount of work done by the Planning Team who pulled the whole event together in about four months – simply amazing. It was no accident that all events were within walking distance from the Henley Park Hotel. Friday at the MLK Library and Saturday lunch at the Church of the Epiphany were both well planned and executed – especially the world-class reunion lunch menu. Pam Cross-Ancrum’s interview of Emerson College officials was a tour-de-force, as was the graciousness of Emerson’s president and staff for taking time on a Saturday to show their respect and support for EBONI. Hearing “Our Stories” testimony from so many attendees was entertaining and enlightening. It was all great fun.

Let’s do it again soon.