Issuu

REUNION RECAP

A Family Legacy in Motion July 29 – August 2, 2026 M O O N PA L AC E · O C H O R I O S , J A M A I CA Celebrating our heritage · Strengthening our bonds · Building our legacy

INSIDE COVER

“We are not just gathering… we are continuing something that began long before us — and will live long after us.” C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

Descendants of Solomon & Elizabeth Hibbert

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

Contents ONE · OPENING

THREE · THE EXPERIENCE

Welcome to Celebration 2026

We Did Not Get Here Alone

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

The Bell and the Welcome

The Shirt That Told Our Story

The Rope Has Many Strands

The People Who Made It Beautiful

Beach Olympics

The Banner — Faces of Three Generations

Passport & Citizenship

One of Sour, Two of Sweet

Family History Presentation

Fire on North Beach

What We Hand Down

Brains & Beauty

Boys to Men

All in White

T W O · F O U N D AT I O N

The Reunion Committee

Our Partners at Moon Palace

Who Came Home — Our Family Members

The Week at a Glance

FOUR · HONORS

F I V E · L E G A C Y D AY

The Solomon & Elizabeth Scholarship Sanaa Neunie-Buchanan

Elijah Hibbert

Noah Neunie

A Return to Our Roots

The Memorial Service — Order of Service

In Loving Memory — Calling the Names

Emancipation Day at Dovecot

The John Fitzgerald Hibbert Award

The Elizabeth Hibbert Award

Leading By Example

The Family Patriarch Award

The Family Meeting

The Hibbert Heritage Award

Carry It Home

The Ones Who Made It Possible

Giving Back — Pimento Walk School

Four Ways to Support the Family

Closing — Thank You

S I X · W H AT C O M E S N E X T

Five days · Six family lines represented · 129 family members · One family C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

CONTENTS

SECTION ONE · OPENING

Welcome Back to Celebration 2026 For five unforgettable days in Jamaica, descendants of Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert came together from near and far — to reconnect, celebrate, remember, laugh, learn, and simply enjoy being family.

Together again — the family gathered on opening night at the Moon Palace, Ocho Rios.

CE L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6 WA S M O R E than a family reunion. It was another chapter in a journey that began more than two decades ago — a journey rooted in preserving our

This recap captures just a glimpse of those special days — the people, the places, the laughter, the emotions, and the memories we created together.

history, strengthening the bonds between generations, and

As you read through these pages, we hope you not only

ensuring that the legacy passed down to us continues long

remember what we did, but also remember how it felt to be

after we are gone.

together. Welcome back to Celebration 2026.

D AY S I N J A M A I C A

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

129

FA M I LY M E M B E R S

LINES REPRESENTED

YEARS OF REUNIONS

OPENING · WELCOME

OUR REUNION THEME

A Legacy Worth Celebrating The theme of this year’s reunion was simply “Celebration,” and our T-shirts proudly carried the message, “A Legacy Worth Celebrating.” We chose this theme for many reasons. We wanted to celebrate the children who were only toddlers and teenagers at our first reunion in 2005 and who have now grown into adults. We wanted to welcome new family members who have recently found their way home and connected with their family. And we wanted to honor and celebrate the lives of the approximately 50 family members who have passed away since 2005 — most of them members of our third generation. With all of this in mind, the Reunion Committee thoughtfully created an itinerary that we hoped would provide much more than a fun family

W H AT W E S E T O U T TO D O

Celebrate the grown. The toddlers and teenagers of 2005 are the adults of 2026. Welcome the found. New relatives who have recently made their way home to us. Honor the gone. Roughly 50 family members lost since our very first gathering.

vacation. Our goal was to create an experience that strengthened connections, deepened our understanding of who we are and where we come from, and, above all, promoted love, inclusion, and family unity.

Left: family in reunion yellow. Right: the whole crew on South Beach.

Celebration 2026 was about enjoying the present, remembering those who came before us, welcoming those who have found their way back — and continuing to build a legacy that is truly worth celebrating. THE REUNION COMMITTEE

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

OPENING · THE THEME

OUR LOGO

The Shirt That Told Our Whole Story Almost every element on this year’s reunion T-shirt carries a meaning. Here is how to read it. The colors represent the Jamaican flag and our family’s Jamaican roots. At the top, family members wave flags in the spirit of our Celebration theme — the energy and movement you might see during Carnival. Look closely and you will count eleven flags: eight Jamaican and three Panamanian. These represent our eleven family lines, with the three Panamanian flags honoring the lines of Icilda, Violet, and Uncle T, who migrated to Panama in the early 1900s. Our tree has branched across countries and continents — but

THE FRONT

THE BACK

the roots are the same. And of course, the bees. They represent Solomon Hibbert’s profession as a beekeeper, and have become a symbol of who we are: many branches, working together as one hive.

Now turn the shirt around. On the back we listed each of Nanna and Pappy’s children, along with the year each was born — the generation from which

SOLOMON & ELIZABETH’S CHILDREN

our family lines grew. And finally, a QR code that brings past and

Icilda

1893

Lucille

1906

present together: scan it and you land on the Hibbert family

Violet

1895

Ann “Hannah”

1908

website, where our history and our connections continue to live.

Herman

1900

Joslyn

1910

So it was never just a reunion T-shirt. It told our family story.

Huntley

1902

Theophilus

1913

Hazel

1904

Rudolph

1915

Sydney

1916

165

SHIRTS PRINTED

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

P R I N T E D I N T H E FA M I LY

All 165 of our reunion shirts were produced by Raquel and Andrew Hibbert through their business, Leila’s Corner. There was something fitting about that — the shirt that tells our family story, printed by our own family. Thank you both, and thank you again to Tiff and Hive Promo for the design.

OPENING · OUR LOGO

OUR DESIGNERS

The People Who Made It All Look Beautiful Tiffani Williams — and Yes, We Said Hive Tiffani is not only one of our valued business partners; she has become a great friend of the family. She may not be a relative by blood, but we proudly consider her our sister. A Certified AI Strategist and Educator, Army veteran, brand manager, and CEO of Hive Promo, Tiffani brought both creativity and expertise to Celebration 2026. Her company’s branding incorporates beehives, much like our own — a fitting connection for a family whose identity has long been tied to the bee and the hive. Tiffani was instrumental in bringing our reunion vision to life, contributing to the design of our reunion T-shirts and banner while providing valuable marketing support along the way.

Diksha Patel — Bringing Our Awards to Life A talented designer and illustrator and the owner of Rain and Shine Design, Diksha came to us through a referral from Tiffani Williams. With just one week to go before the reunion, we reached out with an idea for our special reunion awards. Despite the short turnaround, she immediately went to work and, within a few days, transformed our vision into beautiful handcrafted awards made from acrylic and cherry wood. Each piece became more than an award — it became a keepsake, and a lasting reminder of a very special family celebration.

Handcrafted in acrylic and cherry wood — designed, built and delivered in under a week.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

OPENING · OUR DESIGNERS

OUR BANNER

Honoring Those Who Came Before Us

More than a backdrop — a visual tribute to three generations of this family. That is Marlon Moncrieffe at the right of the banner, standing beside the photograph of his father, Arthur.

Our Celebration 2026 banner incorporated our reunion logo along with photographs of family members from Generations One, Two, and Three who have passed away. At the very top are our family patriarch and matriarch, Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert, followed by their children and the generations that came after them. G E N E R AT I O N O N E

Solomon and Elizabeth

G E N E R AT I O N T H R E E

Llewellyn · Beverly · Arthur “Jimmy” · Manley · Patricia · Ruel “Chubby” · Alphonso · Ferdinand ·

G E N E R AT I O N T W O

Violet · Herman · Huntley · Gwendolyn · Hazel · Lucille · Hannah · Ambrozine “Nelly” · Joslyn · Theophilus · Sydney “Munez”

Hazel · Barrington · Elaine “Sissy” · Veronica “Ninny” · Ernest · Pearline · Arthur · Owen · Elaine · Ronald “Perker” · Joyce · Rese “Cherry” · Dudley “Mikey” · Dorrell “Sally” · Merlyn · Lester “Kid Les” · Alex “Brother” · Clement · Herman · Herbert “Bertie” · Rudolph “Ruddy” · Gloria

Also remembered, though unfortunately missing from the banner, is Monica “Chun.”

They may no longer be with us, but they remain forever a part of this family — and a legacy worth celebrating.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

OPENING · OUR BANNER

S E CT I O N T WO · F O U N DAT I O N

The Ones Working Behind the Scenes The Celebration 2026 Reunion Committee This year’s committee brought together a wonderful combination of experience, fresh ideas, and the next generation of family leadership. Working together, they planned the reunion, coordinated the many details behind the scenes, and provided the on-the-ground organization that brought Celebration 2026 to life.

Gregory Hibbert

Kevin Hibbert

Nathalie Hibbert

Lorna Hibbert

Karen Janet Straker

Amari Bryant

From months of planning to handling the countless details that arose during the reunion itself, each member contributed time, talent, and energy toward a common goal: creating a meaningful and memorable experience for our family. O U R PA R T N E R S · M O O N PA L A C E R E S O R T & S TA F F

Shelley-Ann Guthrie Made It All Come Together An experienced event and wedding professional, Shelley-Ann truly made everything easier for us at Moon Palace. Her tireless work behind the scenes, attention to detail, and commitment to our family helped ensure that each of our events ran smoothly. Throughout the reunion she communicated with us in real time, responded quickly whenever something was needed, and made on-the-spot adjustments that kept our events flowing seamlessly. Her professionalism, patience and flexibility allowed our committee to focus less on logistics and more on enjoying these moments with our family.

Thank you, Shelley-Ann, for helping us turn our plans into a Celebration.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

F O U N D AT I O N · L E A D E R S H I P

FA M I LY M E M B E R S

Who Came Home One hundred and twenty-nine of us registered for Celebration 2026 — representing six of the eleven lines that grew from Solomon and Elizabeth. Flags show where each of us travelled from:

United States ·

United Kingdom ·

Jamaica ·

Canada

A few of those listed registered but were, in the end, unable to join us in person. They are named here all the same. Some members are listed by first name only, at their request, under the Association’s digital privacy policy.

Hannah

Marlon Moncrieffe Susan Moncrieffe Dante Moncrieffe Teagan Moncrieffe Payton Moncrieffe Lucas Moncrieffe Malin Moncrieffe Riah Moncrieffe Nader Nadeen Huria Marcelle Moncrieffe Noelle Nunez Imara Depunt Orvid Wilson Thomas Proctor

Huntley

cont.

Gregory Hibbert Nathalie Hibbert Karen Janet Straker Andrew Straker Llwelyn Edwards Primrose Edwards Amanda Edwards Daniel Edwards Karin Straker Harper Turnage Amir Turnage Kyle Straker Anthony Neunie Brevet Neunie Omario Neunie Simeon Neunie Martina Neunie Noah Hibbert Alexandra Lee Joshua Hibbert Taylor Heath Jonah Hibbert LeBlanc Kalyn Lorna Daws Claudienne Hibbert-Smith Mario Smith Legend Smith Legacy Smith Amari Bryant Rayne Neunie

Reo Romans Regal Romans Fitzroy Edwards Joanne Edwards Asha Hibbert-Watson Jordan Watson Jocob Watson Leslie Hibbert Major Kimana NeilStrong Desarie Nicholas-NeilStrong Adesah Neunie Sanaa Neunie-Buchanan Tahan Dayes Sola Neunie Maya Neunie Farrah Rutkins-Neunie Riva Rutkins-Neunie Tarin Rutkins-Neunie Alfonso Rafael Delgado Benjamin Delgado Elijah Delgado Andre Hibbert Ranada Leslie Kimberley Hibbert-Delgado Janet Rios Kirk Hibbert Ernestine Hibbert Carol Hibbert Paula McGowan Makeda McGowan Andrea NeilStrong Leon NeilStrong

LINES NOT REPRESENTED THIS YEAR

129

Hazel

Jacqueline Guidry Angela Madden Allyah Guidry Mandisa Tomlinson Fabian Madden Ferdinand Madden Bianca Smith Keisha Murray Christine Madden Marcia Madden Rafiq Williams Yinka Bernard

Lucille

Joslyn

Kevin Hibbert Ruth Lindo Britney Hibbert Corrine Hibbert Lester Hibbert Brianna Hibbert Madison Hibbert Shemar Christian Marcia Hibbert Taneka Miller Natalie Hibbert Ricky Hibbert Natasha Hibbert Michael Platt Milan Brumfield-Hibbert Melissa Hibbert Sandra Dawn Hibbert

Sydney

David Hibbert Katherine Hibbert Oliver Hibbert Emily Hibbert Andrew Hibbert Raquel Hibbert Blake Lindsay Olivia King Racquel Samuel Lorna Hibbert Sheryl Morgan Julianne Morgan Dominic Morgan Vivene Hibbert

Akosuha Muir Cameron Bridges Jean Marie Reid Anne Marie Bonner Kandace Bonner John Reid Joni Williams Donna Maria Reid

Herman · Icilda · Theophilus · Violet — four of Solomon and Elizabeth’s eleven lines had no one with us at Celebration 2026. Finding and welcoming them home is part of the work ahead.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

FA M I LY MEMBERS

LINES

LARGEST LINE

F O U N D AT I O N · W H O C A M E H O M E

SECTION THREE · THE EXPERIENCE

The Week at a Glance Five days, built with everyone in mind — morning walks on the sand, family history, a day of remembrance, and an evening set aside to shape what comes next.

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

7–8 AM

FROM 8:45 AM

7–8 AM

South Beach

JUL 29

Morning Beach Walk 7–9 PM

Meet & Greet / Orientation Grand Ballroom

JUL 30

Morning Beach Walk 10:30 AM

Beach Olympics South Beach 2–4 PM

Passport & Citizenship Seminar Mercury Ballroom 4–5 PM

Rum Punch Making Class Sun Garden 7 PM

JUL 31

Morning Beach Walk 2–4 PM

Brains & Beauty Mars Ballroom 2–4 PM

Boys to Men

Venus Ballroom

AUG 1

AUG 2

Legacy Day — A Return to Our Roots

Dovecot & Devon House 8–10 PM

Family Meeting Orion 2 Ballroom

Morning Beach Walk South Beach 9–11 AM

Prayer Breakfast Sun Garden —

Safe travels home

5–6:30 PM

Family Portrait Grand Ballroom 7–9 PM

Family Banquet Grand Ballroom

Family History Review Mercury Ballroom 9–10 PM

Beach Presentation North Beach

“In every conceivable way, family is the link to our past, bridge to our future.” ALEX HALEY

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

THE EXPERIENCE · THE WEEK

Wed · Jul 29

Day 1 — Let’s Get Acclimated

M O R N I N G B E A C H WA L K & D E V O T I O N · O N E

We Did Not Get Here Alone Good morning, family. Before we walk, look around. Look at the ocean. Look at the sunrise. Look at the people standing beside

C A R R Y T H E S E O N T H E WA L K

you.

1. Who walked before me? Whose

None of us got here alone.

sacrifice put me here?

Every one of us is the result of somebody else’s sacrifice. Somebody

2. Who is walking beside me? Introduce

worked so we could have chances they never had. Somebody left

yourself to one person you do not know.

Jamaica and started over. Somebody opened their home, paid a

3. Who is walking behind me? What kind

school fee, watched somebody else’s child, prayed for us before we knew we needed it.

of family are we leaving them?

Some of those people are no longer here. But we are. We are descendants of Solomon and Elizabeth. They are not two

T H E P R AY E R

names on a chart — they are a beginning, and every generation since

Heavenly Father, thank You for waking us this

has added a chapter. Now it is our turn.

morning, for this island, and for this family. Thank You for Solomon and Elizabeth, and for everyone who sacrificed, migrated, worked and prayed so

SCRIPTURE

that we could stand here today.

“Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses… let us run with perseverance.”

We remember those who once walked beside us

HEBREWS 12:1

and are no longer here. Let their lives keep speaking through ours. Strengthen the bonds between us. Where there is distance, bring connection. Where there is hurt, bring healing. Bless everyone walking this morning, and the generations of this family we will never live long enough to meet. Amen.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 1 · T H E WA L K

As we set off: find somebody you do not normally talk to. Walk with them.

Wed · Jul 29

7:00 PM · Grand Ballroom

OUR MEET & GREET

And With the Sound of the Bell, We Began Our Meet & Greet began at 7:00 PM with a private family dinner, and it didn’t take long for us to be reminded of exactly why we had gathered. We welcomed one another, distributed name tags and reunion bags, and reviewed the exciting itinerary for the days ahead. But before any of that, we began with something much more meaningful — the ringing of the Reunion Bell, a tradition rooted in symbolically awakening our ancestors and inviting their spirit and legacy into our gathering.

THE REUNION BELL

A tradition that symbolically wakes our ancestors and

This year, the special honor of ringing the Reunion Bell was entrusted to Emily Hibbert,

invites their spirit

officially marking the beginning of Celebration 2026.

into the room.

And with the sound of the bell, our reunion was underway.

Rung by Emily Hibbert

Emily Hibbert takes the Reunion Bell — the moment Celebration 2026 officially began.

I N T H E G I F T B A G — A N D O N T H E TA B L E

Something to Carry It Home In Along with the name badge and the official T-shirt, every family member received a black reunion backpack carrying our “A Legacy Worth Celebrating” logo — good for the beach that week, and for years of ordinary days afterward. The green-and-white canvas tote was something else again: it was sold at $30 as a family fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who bought one and supported the family in the process.

Look around. Every person in this room is somebody’s answered prayer. C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 1 · M E E T & G R E E T

Thu · Jul 30

Day 2 — Let’s Get Started

M O R N I N G B E A C H WA L K & D E V O T I O N · T W O

The Rope Has Many Strands 7 :00 DEVOTION · 7:10 WARM-UP · 7:15 WALK OR YOGA · 8 :00 FINISH

Good morning. Yesterday we thought about the people who walked before us. This morning, look at the person standing next to you. Nobody here is a stranger. But some of us are still standing like strangers. That is not anybody’s fault — life does it to us. We move. We get busy. Numbers change. A cousin becomes somebody we hear about instead of somebody we call. A year goes by, then twenty. Pull one thread and it snaps in your hands. Braid it with two others and you can tie a boat to a dock. Nothing about the thread changed — it just stopped being alone. That is this family.

C A R R Y T H E S E O N T H E WA L K

1. Who have I lost touch with? The name that just came to mind is the one. 2. Who here needs me? Ask a second question after somebody says “I’m fine.” 3. What will I do on Monday? Closeness in Jamaica is easy. Pick one person and decide now.

T H E P R AY E R

Gracious God, thank You for another morning and for a family that is still gathering after all these

SCRIPTURE

years.

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

We confess that we have let good relationships go

ECCLESIASTES 4:12

quiet, and assumed there would always be more time. Give us the courage to close those gaps while we still can. Where there is silence, give us the first word. Where there is pride, give us humility. Make us a family that notices when someone is struggling, and shows up without being asked. Bless everyone here, and everyone who could not make the journey. Amen.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · T H E WA L K

As we set off: walk with somebody whose last name is different from yours.

Thu · Jul 30

10:30 AM · South Beach

B E AC H O LY M P I C S

There Is Still a Little Kid in All of Us At 10:30 AM it was time to bring out the competitive side of the Hibbert family. We kicked off with music, laughter, and plenty of family spirit as Amari

THE EVENTS

organized everyone into teams and walked us through the rules.

01 Potato sack race

The competition began with the potato sack race, followed by the egg-and-spoon

02 Egg-and-spoon race

race, the always entertaining granny panties race, and finally the event everyone was waiting for — the tug-of-war. There was plenty of cheering, friendly competition, and a little family bragging along the way. Best of all: everyone made it through without injury.

03 Granny panties race 04 Tug-of-war Injuries: zero.

Sack races, sprint finishes, and a tug-of-war that settled absolutely nothing.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · B E A C H O LY M P I C S

Thu · Jul 30

2:00 PM · Mercury Ballroom

PASSPORT & CITIZENSHIP SEMINAR

A Stronger Claim on the Country We Came From Our Passport & Citizenship Seminar was one of the most informative and valuable sessions of Celebration 2026.

W H AT YO U N E E D E D TO A P P LY

We learned about the process of obtaining Jamaican citizenship and

Your birth certificate

a Jamaican passport, along with the benefits that come with

Your Jamaican parent’s birth certificate or Jamaican

strengthening our formal connection to Jamaica: the ability to live

citizenship certificate

and work in Jamaica without immigration restrictions, greater

Government-issued ID

access to certain services and opportunities, the convenience of traveling on a Jamaican passport, and, where eligible, the ability to pass Jamaican citizenship on to future generations.

Two certified passport photographs Marriage or name-change documents, if applicable

But perhaps the most meaningful benefit was something that couldn’t be measured — the opportunity for members of our family, particularly those born outside of Jamaica, to establish an even stronger connection to the country of our ancestors. A sincere thank you to Jevar Stewart and Miguel Cordell of PICA for sharing their knowledge, patiently answering our questions, and helping our family better understand the opportunities available to members of the Jamaican diaspora.

Applications taken on the spot — several of us walked out of that room a step closer to a Jamaican passport.

Another step toward strengthening our connection to Jamaica, our heritage, and future generations.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · PA S S P O R T & C I T I Z E N S H I P

Thu · Jul 30

4:00 PM · Sun Garden

JAMAICAN RUM PUNCH MAKING CLASS

One of Sour, Two of Sweet Our family got hands-on with a little taste of Jamaica. We split into teams and worked together to create our own version of the perfect Jamaican rum punch. There was plenty of discussion, measuring, mixing, tasting, and — of course — a little friendly competition to see which team could produce the best punch. But beyond the laughs and the sampling, we actually learned something. By the end of the class, just about everyone could recite the traditional formula.

THE FORMULA

1 Part Sour — freshly squeezed lime juice 2 Parts Sweet — simple syrup, agave, grenadine or another flavored syrup 3 Parts Strong — your favorite Jamaican dark or white rum 4 Parts Weak — water, club soda, or a tropical fruit juice such as pineapple

Teams at work in the Sun Garden — measuring, mixing, and quality-testing with great commitment.

More importantly, the activity gave us another opportunity to work together, laugh together, and experience a little piece of Jamaican culture together.

One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, and four of weak. C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · R U M P U N C H

Thu · Jul 30

7:00 PM · Mercury Ballroom

H I B B E R T FA M I LY H I S TO R Y P R E S E N TAT I O N

Knowing Our Roots Is Not Something We Do Once ON E O F T H E H I G H L I G H T S of Celebration 2026 was our Hibbert Family History Presentation — a journey through

Henderson, reconnecting branches of the tree that had been separated from us.

the history, science, and personal stories that connect our

We then traveled further back to explore the history of the

family across generations.

Hibbert name, how it came to Jamaica, and the historical

Together we explored how DNA testing and centimorgans (cM) can help us understand genetic relationships and determine how two people may be related. We also looked at how DNA, genealogy, family stories, photographs, and historical records work together to fill in the missing pieces. But this wasn’t just theory. We heard firsthand from Sheryl, who explained how AncestryDNA Communities helped connect her to our family — proof of what modern DNA

circumstances that led to our family carrying it. Understanding our history means examining both the proud moments and the difficult chapters that shaped the generations that followed. But one of the biggest surprises came from our youngest family members. Afterward, Riva and Farrah told us how much they had enjoyed it — and we were shocked to learn they had taken two pages of notes.

technology can do when combined with traditional

Then there was Oliver, relatively quiet through much of the

genealogy and a family willing to go looking.

reunion, who perked up, became engaged, and volunteered

Hers is not the only such story. In recent months we have also connected with Tamika Cody and Michelle

to participate. When asked, he proudly knew exactly which generation of the family he belonged to.

There are still relatives to find,

More than twenty years ago our first reunion carried the theme “Know Your Roots.” Celebration 2026 reminded us that knowing our roots is not something we accomplish once.

stories to uncover, connections to make, and younger generations to teach. When we pass that knowledge on, our legacy continues to grow.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · FA M I LY H I S TO R Y

Thu · Jul 30

9:00 PM · North Beach

A FIERY SURPRISE

Our Name, Written in Fire Later that evening the family gathered on North Beach for a presentation we had purposely kept a secret. No one knew exactly what to expect — and that was all part of the fun. Once the music began, the surprise was revealed: an incredible performance by two talented fire dancers, who amazed us with their skill, energy and daring routines. But they didn’t just perform for us — they brought the family into the show. And who knew Kimana, Karin and Julianne had moves like that? Their participation brought plenty of cheers and laughter and made the performance even more memorable. Just when we thought the show was over, the performers had one final surprise. As everyone watched, they set a specially prepared sign ablaze, revealing the words:

HIBBERT FAMILY REUNION 2026

Seeing our family name illuminated in fire against the darkness of North Beach was the perfect ending to an incredible day — one of those moments you simply had to be there to experience.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 2 · N O R T H B E A C H

Fri · Jul 31

Day 3 — Time to Celebrate

M O R N I N G B E A C H WA L K & D E V O T I O N · T H R E E

What We Hand Down 7 :00 DEVOTION · 7:10 WARM-UP · 7:15 WALK OR YOGA ·

C A R R Y T H E S E O N T H E WA L K

8 :00 FINISH

Good morning. Tonight we put on white and stand together for a photograph that will outlive every one of us. Before we do, let us think about what we are actually handing down. Most of what we inherit was never written into anybody’s will. We inherit a recipe nobody wrote down, an accent, a laugh, a work ethic, a faith. We also inherit the grudge nobody remembers the reason for, and the silence passed down so carefully that the next

1. What did I inherit that I want to keep? Name it out loud to somebody this morning. 2. What did I inherit that stops with me? Every family has something carried too long. 3. What am I adding? Not what I intend to add — what I am actually adding.

generation thinks it is normal. All of it moves down the line unless somebody stops it.

T H E P R AY E R

Children’s children. Two generations out — people we will never meet, who will not know our names unless somebody teaches them. That is the distance Solomon and Elizabeth were aiming at.

Faithful God, thank You for a family that has lasted long enough to have something worth passing on. Thank You for Solomon and Elizabeth, who could never have pictured this beach or this many of us

SCRIPTURE

— and who built for us anyway. Teach us to build

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

day we will not see.

PROVERBS 13:22

the same way: for people we will not meet, on a Where we have carried a grudge, let it stop with us. Where we have kept a silence, let it end with us. Let the young people in this family see

As we set off: walk thinking about the face you want your great-grandchildren to find in tonight’s photograph.

2005

K N OW YO U R R O OT S

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

2007

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

something in us worth imitating. Amen.

2010

GETTING STRONGER

2013 RISING

D AY 3 · T H E WA L K

Fri · Jul 31

2:00 PM · Mars Ballroom

BRAINS & BEAUTY

The Ladies Will Never Look at Milk of Magnesia the Same Way A special thank you to Melissa Hibbert for leading our Brains & Beauty session — an afternoon that was informative, inspiring, empowering, and filled with plenty of laughter. Melissa shared her professional knowledge and experience with the ladies, offering practical advice on beauty, skincare, makeup, confidence, and feeling your best at every stage of life. The session gave everyone an opportunity to learn, ask questions, share experiences and, most importantly, have some fun together. And one thing is certain: the ladies will never look at a bottle of Milk of Magnesia the same way again. You definitely had to be in the room for that beauty tip. Melissa is the founder of Beauty Founders Agency, where she

The full room — three generations of Hibbert women.

brings her experience and expertise in the beauty industry to helping beauty brands and entrepreneurs grow.

Another wonderful example of what Celebration 2026 was all about — learning from one another, supporting one another, and enjoying being together.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 3 · B R A I N S & B E A U T Y

Fri · Jul 31

2:00 PM · Venus Ballroom

BOYS TO MEN

Sixteen to Seventy, in One Room While the ladies gathered for Brains & Beauty, the men came together for our Boys to Men session. With participants ranging in age from 16 to 70, the room brought together several generations of Hibbert men for an open and honest conversation. We talked about real life — leadership, fear, marriage, careers, responsibility, character, and how a man carries himself in the world. The older men shared lessons learned through experience, while the younger men brought their own questions, perspectives, and challenges to the conversation. What made the session especially meaningful was that it wasn’t simply the older generation talking to the younger generation. Everyone contributed, everyone listened, and everyone had something to learn. By the end, regardless of age or where we were in life, each of us walked away with something valuable. That was the real purpose of Boys to Men — creating a space where generations could talk openly, learn from one another, and pass along the wisdom, values and experiences that strengthen the men of our family.

W H AT W E TA L K E D A B O U T

Leadership · Fear · Marriage · Careers · Responsibility · Character · How a man carries himself in the world

The circle in the Venus Ballroom — not the older generation talking to the younger one, but everyone in the conversation.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 3 · B O Y S TO M E N

Fri · Jul 31

5:00 PM · Grand Ballroom

FA M I LY P O R T R A I T & AWA R D S B A N Q U E T

All in White That evening we dressed in white, took our family portraits, and gathered for the Celebration 2026 Awards Banquet — an evening honoring family excellence.

Banquet night in front of the Celebration 2026 banner — and Baby Harper, center, with her Most Reunion Spirit award.

The Celebration 2026 Awards FIRST TO REGISTER

MOST REUNION SPIRIT

David & Katherine Hibbert

Baby Harper

Off the mark before anyone else —

the rest of us.

The youngest of us, out-celebrating

MOST RECENT MARRIAGE

Kimana & Desarie Newest branch on a very old tree.

the first names on the list.

ALSO PRESENTED THIS EVENING

The Solomon and Elizabeth Scholarship, awarded to Sanaa Neunie-Buchanan and Elijah Hibbert — and the John Fitzgerald Hibbert Award, presented to Sheryl Hibbert Morgan. Their words and their citation follow on the next pages.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 3 · T H E B A N Q U E T

THE SOLOMON & ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP

Sanaa Neunie-Buchanan T H E E S S AY Q U E S T I O N

According to the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances, the typical Black family holds only 15% of what a typical White family holds in terms of wealth. Why does the net worth disparity between Black and White families in America persist at such a significant level — even with improvements in income and asset ownership — and how can strengthening the family unit through financial education, collective investment, and intergenerational support help build generational wealth to reduce this gap?

Wealth refers to the sum of resources available to a family at a point in time. While household income contributes to wealth formation, two households with similar incomes and expenditures may have significantly different levels of wealth depending on accumulated assets or inherited re‐ sources from previous generations (McIntosh et al., 2020). This essay explores the historical origins of the Black–White wealth gap, the struc‐ tural inequalities that sustain it despite improve‐ ments in income and asset ownership, and how the family unit can be mobilised to strengthen in‐ tergenerational wealth-building. Racial wealth inequalities cannot only be explained by differences in income or asset ownership; they are rooted in the historical exclusion of Black Americans from the institutions that enable wealth accumulation. Until the 1860s most Black Americ‐ ans were enslaved, contributing to the economic development of the United States while being leg‐ ally prevented from accumulating wealth them‐ selves (Derenoncourt et al., 2022, p.1). Con‐ sequently, the racial wealth gap can be traced to the vastly unequal starting conditions that existed at emancipation. While white families were able to pass down property, assets and capital across gen‐ erations, formerly enslaved Black Americans began their pursuit of economic mobility with little wealth and limited access to the resources neces‐ sary for long-term accumulation. While slavery helps to reveal the origins of the racial wealth gap, it does not fully explain why it persists. Since emancipation, Black Americans have pursued many pathways to economic ad‐ vancement — education, entrepreneurship, prop‐ erty ownership. However, these efforts have re‐ peatedly been undermined by policies and prac‐ tices that restrict Black wealth accumulation. As Darrick Hamilton and William Darity argue, restric‐ tions on Black economic advancement have exis‐ ted since emancipation, including the failure to provide freed people with their promised “forty

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

acres and a mule,” and the systematic deprivation of Black-owned property through government ac‐ tion, fraud and seizures by white terrorists (Hamilton and Darity, 2010, p.212). Prosperous Black communities were also targeted by racial violence — most famously in Tulsa, Oklahoma — and Black people were excluded from post-De‐ pression and Second World War policy pro‐ grammes, which were largely responsible for the asset development of the modern American middle class. These barriers persist into the twenty-first century. A 2009 study found that Black residents in the Twin Cities earning over $150,000 were twice as likely to be denied a mortgage as white applicants earning less than $40,000 (Darity and Hamilton, 2010, p.212). Even when approved, high-income Black borrowers were far more likely to receive subprime loans than lower-income white borrow‐ ers. The gap does not persist because Black Amer‐ icans have failed to pursue economic mobility, but because access to wealth-building institutions is still shaped by racial inequality — as reflected in the experiences of Black Caribbean immigrant families, who, despite earnings gains over time, do not reach parity with white Americans (Hamilton, 2020, p.309). Strengthening the family unit as a mechanism for reducing the wealth gap is particularly effective, as wealth is accumulated over time through shared financial decision-making, intergenerational trans‐ fers of capital and collective asset ownership rather than individual upward mobility. The family can operate as an important alternative economic unit, particularly when structural inequalities restrict access to mainstream opportunities. This role is especially significant in higher education, where family-funded scholarships can reduce stu‐ dent debt and strengthen intergenerational mobil‐ ity by preserving future earnings within the family unit.

Evidence suggests that inheritances, bequests and intra-family transfers are the most significant drivers of racial wealth inequality (Hamilton and Darity, 2010, p.212). This highlights that strength‐ ening family-based systems of savings, education funding and asset transfer is central to reducing inequality. For Black Caribbean diaspora families, these practices already operate informally through remittances, pooled financial support, and shared investment in property and business. Formalising these systems could enable family contributions to move beyond survival support and towards a co‐ ordinated collective financial network that trans‐ forms pooled resources into productive capital. However, it is essential to recognise that dominant wealth systems have been historically produced through exclusion and exploitation, and should not be uncritically replicated (Bhattacharyya, 2018, p. 101). Relying on established models without adapt‐ ation risks reproducing the very inequalities we are trying to address as a family. Instead, financial education, collective investment strategies and in‐ tergenerational support should be used to build ethically grounded forms of generational wealth that prioritise stability and ownership within our family — including diaspora-led investment into Caribbean development, such as land, housing and Jamaican businesses, ensuring that wealth creation is retained and reinvested in our country of origin. In conclusion, the Black–White wealth gap per‐ sists as a condition of a fundamentally unequal society, which explains its continuation despite gains in income and asset ownership. Strengthen‐ ing the family unit is central to narrowing the gap, because wealth is most effectively accumulated through the preservation and transfer of wealth across generations. However, addressing racial wealth inequality also requires reimagining wealthbuilding practices at the family level, rather than replicating the existing racialised wealth system.

SCHOLARSHIP · SANAA NEUNIE-BUCHANAN

THE SOLOMON & ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP

Elijah Hibbert RETURNING STUDENT · AGE 22

How will what you plan to study make a positive impact on your family and on society?

Some lessons are learned within the classroom. Others are learned in the dark of the night, stand‐ ing beside my brother’s bed and holding his hand as we count down the seconds until the paramed‐ ics arrive, so we can report the number of seconds his seizure lasted. Growing up as the youngest of four boys, my brother had been facing the chal‐ lenges of living with Gray Matter Heterotopia since the age of twelve. It was a condition that turned ordinary nights into emergencies and or‐ dinary days into routines of medication logs, trigger tracking and constant readiness. Long before I understood what a pharmacist was, I un‐ derstood the impact of medication. I knew that the right medication could give a person another chance at life. Little did I know that these experi‐ ences were preparing me for the path I would eventually choose. Our local pharmacist was someone our family re‐ lied on heavily. Every time my brother’s medica‐ tion needed to be adjusted, he was there to walk us through it. He carefully explained the changes, what they were meant to accomplish, and the side effects my brother might experience. He never made us feel as if we were consuming too much of his time. He treated my family like people who deserved to understand what was happening to their loved ones. That kind of care was not some‐ thing we took for granted. It shaped how I under‐ stood the role of a pharmacist long before I ever considered becoming one. In April of 2022, my brother passed away at the age of 19. He was my closest friend and someone I had imagined attending university alongside. I watched as the medical team fought against the

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

sepsis brought on by an E. coli infection, to no avail. In that room, grief became my purpose. I knew with complete clarity that pharmacy was my path. His life, and his death, pointed me in the direction I am walking today. I am proud to say that I come from the Hibbert family, the very family this scholarship was created to celebrate and invest in. Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert built something remarkable; as hard-work‐ ing beekeepers they exemplified purpose, resili‐ ence and the importance of commitment. I carry the weight of that legacy with pride as I pursue my doctorate in pharmacy. I am not just pursuing a career, but one that allows me to provide some‐ thing valuable back to my family and the com‐ munities that shaped who I am today. The challenges of chronic illness are personal within my family. In addition to my brother’s seizures, several other members of my family battle diabetes, hypertension and sickle cell disease. Medication has always played a vital role within my family. For many of my relatives, it is the difference between crisis and survival. I have seen both the successes and the failures brought on by the proper or improper use of medication. I want to be the one my relatives call when they need in‐ formation about their medication. Many of us, es‐ pecially within Black communities, have had to rely on our own knowledge of health and medical in‐ formation instead of being taught about it in school. I want to help build that medical literacy within my community and beyond. Compounding pharmacy continues to be an area of interest for me. My brother’s condition required specific medications that do not always match the

average patient, and compounding pharmacies prepare medications to meet the specific needs of an individual. Not every patient faces the same challenges or suffers from the same health issues. Having professionals who can tailor care to each patient’s needs extends beyond what is available in pharmacies today and allows for a personalised form of care and support. I think often about the connection between chronic illness and financial hardship in marginalised families. Unmanaged disease leads to emergency room visits, missed work, medical debt, and a reduced quality of life that spans generations. As a pharmacist who knows the individuals in the com‐ munity and has relationships with them, I can help ensure that each person understands their medica‐ tion and that sticking to the plan can prevent the worsening of both their financial and health condi‐ tions. It can prevent hospitalisation. It can keep a parent healthy and present for their children. It can quietly shift the direction of an entire house‐ hold over time. That is the impact I would love to make — one patient and one family at a time. The Solomon and Elizabeth Scholarship will make a difference in my ability to pursue this mission. Pharmacy school is a demanding program, but the support and encouragement of my family will pro‐ pel me forward. My brother is the reason I am on this path, and he is with me every step of the way. As a member of this family, I will use everything I have learned and endured to ensure that other families and our community are provided with the support, guidance and care they need to never feel alone.

SCHOLARSHIP · ELIJAH HIBBERT

THE SOLOMON & ELIZABETH SCHOLARSHIP

Noah Neunie H U N T L E Y L I N E · F L O R I D A A & M U N I V E R S I T Y, B U S I N E S S FINANCE

A message in a bottle washes up on the shore. Inside, a set of coordinates — 17° 59’ 0” N / 76° 57’ 0” W — and a plea: I need your help in getting home. Noah’s essay follows those numbers to Spanish Town, St. Catherine, and then further still.

I was walking along the beach when I noticed some‐ thing unusual resting in the sand. It was an old glass bottle, weathered by the ocean and partially buried near the shoreline. Curious, I picked it up and dis‐ covered a rolled-up message inside. After carefully breaking the bottle and unfolding the paper, I read the words: “I am at these coordinates: 17° 59’ 0” N / 76° 57’ 0” W and I need your help in getting home.” At first, the numbers meant nothing to me. After re‐ searching the coordinates, I discovered they pointed to Spanish Town, Jamaica, in St. Catherine Parish. While many people might simply identify the location and stop there, I immediately recognized that these coordinates represented something much deeper. For me, they pointed to my family’s history, my heritage, and the legacy of Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert. As a descendant of Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert through the Huntley family line, Jamaica is more than a place on a map. It is part of my family’s story. My great-grandmother, Veronica Neunie, whose maiden name was Hibbert, passed down a connection that continues through generations and reaches me today. Looking at those coordinates, I imagined that the person who wrote the message was not simply lost in Jamaica but disconnected from their roots and searching for a way home. Spanish Town was once the capital of Jamaica and remains an important part of the country’s history. To me, it represents resilience, culture, and the genera‐ tions of families whose sacrifices created opportunities for those who followed. Like many places connected to our heritage, it reminds us that we are part of a story much larger than ourselves. My family’s journey across Jamaica, England, and the United States reflects that story. My great-grandmother was born in Jamaica before moving to England and later settling in the United States. My grandfather was also born in Jamaica and followed a similar path, and my father was born in England before immigrating to America. Each generation carried our family’s values, traditions, and culture across countries and continents while creating opportunities for those who would come after them. Their sacrifices and determination laid the foundation for the opportunities I have today. Growing up in South Florida, I was raised between the traditions of my African American mother’s family and the Jamaican heritage passed down through my fath‐ er’s side. Rather than feeling divided between cul‐

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

tures, I learned to appreciate both and understand how they contribute to who I am today. Family was never something we celebrated only during holidays — it was part of everyday life. Some of my favorite memories are family gatherings where relatives came together to share food, music, laughter, and stories. Those gatherings reminded me that family is one of life’s greatest blessings and that I belong to something much larger than myself. My grandmother played an especially important role in helping me understand my heritage. I loved listening to her stories about Jamaica and hearing about her experiences growing up. Through those conversations, I learned that history is not just found in books. It lives through the memories and experiences passed down from one generation to the next. My connection to Jamaica also grew through my own experiences. When I was six years old, I joined a soccer team made up primarily of Jamaican players and coaches. At first, I was simply excited to play, but I quickly became fascinated by the culture surrounding the team. Many of the coaches and players spoke patois, and I enjoyed learning their expressions and traditions. I remember proudly telling my father, “Every day I’m getting closer and closer to my roots.” Even as a child, I understood that learning about my heritage was something special. That connection deepened when I visited Jamaica with my parents. We stayed in Ocho Rios and spent time exploring parts of the island beyond the typical tourist attractions. I learned more about Jamaica’s history, culture, and people while visiting across the island. For the first time, I felt connected not only to the stories I had heard growing up but also to the land itself and the generations who helped shape it. The importance of heritage and family was also rein‐ forced through Hibbert family reunions. Although I attended reunions as a child in 2010 and 2013, I still remember the pride family members took in pre‐ serving our history and sharing stories about where we came from. Reunion themes such as “Know Your Roots,” “Strength in Numbers,” “Getting Stronger,” and “Rising” emphasized the values of family, educa‐ tion, perseverance, and unity. Those experiences helped me understand that success is rarely achieved alone. It is built on the sacrifices, lessons, and support of those who came before us.

The lessons I learned from my family have shaped the person I am today. Throughout high school, I main‐ tained a 4.1 GPA while balancing American football, Student Government Association, Kappa League, com‐ munity service, and employment. Through Kappa League, I participated in leadership development, mentorship opportunities, and service projects that strengthened my commitment to helping others. I also completed more than 270 hours of community service while working part-time at Starbucks. My journey has not been without challenges. Injuries affected my American football career, and I experi‐ enced the difficult loss of my grandfather, someone who played an important role in my life. Those experi‐ ences taught me perseverance, discipline, and the im‐ portance of continuing to move forward during diffi‐ cult times. They also strengthened my appreciation for family and the support system that has helped me suc‐ ceed. As I prepare to attend Florida A&M University and study Business Finance, I often think about the founda‐ tion my family has provided. My goal is to build a career in real estate development and project manage‐ ment, creating opportunities that improve communities and provide lasting benefits for future generations. I also plan to continue working at Starbucks by transfer‐ ring to a location near campus, allowing me to con‐ tribute to my educational expenses while developing valuable professional skills. When I think about the person who sent the message in the bottle, I realize that helping them get home would involve more than providing directions. Home is not simply a place. Home is understanding who you are, where you come from, and the values that guide you. For me, home is hearing reggae music at family gath‐ erings, listening to my grandmother’s stories about Jamaica, and remembering the young boy who proudly told his father he was getting closer to his roots. The coordinates in the message may point to a location in Jamaica, but they also point to something much greater: a history worth remembering, a family worth celebrating, and a future worth building. Just as the message in the bottle led me back to my family’s history, I believe that history will continue guiding me toward my future. When you know where you come from, you never lose your way home.

SCHOL ARSHIP · NOAH NEUNIE

S U P E R L AT I V E AWA R D S 2 0 2 6

The John Fitzgerald Hibbert Award A B O U T T H E AWA R D

John Fitzgerald Hibbert is the late son of Edward and Dorrel Hibbert. Prior to his death in 2008, John was a flight attendant for American Airlines and devoted much of his free time and disposable income to caring for orphaned children in the Dominican Republic. John was well known by some, yet unknown to many others. The award is presented in his memory to the person in the family who was unknown to most, but has grown to become a valuable resource to the family.

The Citation Some people are born knowing their family. Others go looking — and it is often the ones who go looking who love the hardest, because they know what it means to have finally found what they were searching for. Tonight’s honoree is one who went looking. She carried a question in her heart: Who are my people? Where do I come from? For a long time, that question waited for its answer. And when the answer finally came —

Sheryl Hibbert Morgan with her family, holding the John Fitzgerald Hibbert Award at the Celebration 2026 Awards Banquet.

when the connection to this family was made — she did not linger at the edge, wondering whether she truly belonged. She did not wait to be invited twice. Where most of us would have felt shy, uncertain, reluctant to impose on people we had only just come to know, she did the opposite. She stepped all the way in. And then she showed up. Not in words — in miles. She gathered her entire family, loaded them into a vehicle, and drove them from Canada to Georgia, and onward to Florida, simply to be among us. When we gathered to lay our beloved Aunt Pearl to rest, she was there. And when sorrow visited this family

2026 HONOREE

Sheryl Hibbert Morgan Found this family through AncestryDNA — and has been showing up for it ever since.

again — when Aunt Pat passed — she made that same long journey from Canada to Georgia a second time, her family beside her, to stand with us in our grief. No one asked her to do these things. She did them because that is what family does. It shows up. It crosses borders and long stretches of highway to be present for the joy and the heartache alike. That is the very spirit this award was created to honor — the one who, having found her family, gave herself to it completely.

Sheryl — you came looking for us. Tonight, we welcome you home, with open arms.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

AWA R D S · J O H N F I T Z G E R A L D H I B B E R T

S U P E R L AT I V E AWA R D S 2 0 2 6

The Elizabeth Hibbert Award A B O U T T H E AWA R D

The Elizabeth Hibbert Award acknowledges a descendant who has contributed to their community and proved to be a source of pride for us all. Elizabeth Hibbert was the soul of the Hibbert clan, and this award pays homage to her desire to contribute to the family in positive ways. Each reunion, the committee votes on which family member embodies Elizabeth’s spirit. Elizabeth was also an example for others to follow: married twice with two sets of children, she always kept all of the children together, creating one large and extended family.

The Citation Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce a remarkable woman who is the heart and backbone of our family. As a dedicated nurse, she cares for others with skill and compassion, and at

Nurse Corrine Hibbert, with family, at the Celebration 2026 Awards Banquet.

home she is the steady presence who keeps us connected — always celebrating family, joining every gathering, and going out of her way to make sure we’re educated and healthy. She inspires our young people to work hard and aim high, mentoring and encouraging success at every step. Each year she opens her home for our cherished Jamaican Independence celebration, filling the day with warmth, culture, and the joy of togetherness. Please join me in welcoming a true pillar of our family.

2026 HONOREE

Nurse Corrine Hibbert The heart and backbone of her family — and the house where Jamaican Independence is celebrated every year.

Elizabeth Hibbert was the soul of the Hibbert clan. This award goes to the one who carries that same spirit forward.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

AWA R D S · T H E E L I Z A B E T H H I B B E R T AWA R D

S U P E R L AT I V E AWA R D S 2 0 2 6

Leading By Example A B O U T T H E AWA R D

This award highlights the person in the family who is living a life of example — bringing honor to the Hibbert name and legacy through the work and deeds of daily life. It was created to remind the family that all work is honorable work, and to always do your best, because someone is watching and noticing you. It is given to a family member who is an example to all generations and has allowed God to use their life to do good work on this planet. Such a recipient has created big footprints for others to follow — chosen for the pride we hold in the service they give through their life, work, and voluntary activities.

Janice McIntosh

Captain John Reid

GLOBAL JAMAICAN DIASPORA COUNCIL

AV I AT I O N · M E N TO R S H I P

It is my honor to introduce a true force for unity and progress — a

Tonight we honor a man who is the very fabric of his family and a

woman whose life’s work is the art of connection. Resourceful,

pillar of our aviation community. With steady hands and exacting

dynamic and visionary, she lifts people up, brings communities

skill, he has risen to the highest levels of his profession, mastering

together, and tirelessly champions the needs of the Jamaican people

the precision and calm that flight demands.

at home and abroad. Her leadership and passion have earned her election to the Global Jamaican Diaspora Council, where she has continued to build bridges between Jamaica and its many children across the world. We thank her for her unwavering dedication to the diaspora in the southeastern United States, for mobilizing resources, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating opportunities that strengthen families and communities. Please join me in celebrating a remarkable

Beyond his achievements in the cockpit, he has opened doors for others — mentoring men and women, and people of color, guiding them into careers in aviation with patience, wisdom, and generosity. He leads not by proclamation but by example: always showing up for his loved ones, always teaching through action. He has groomed, trained, and mentored countless colleagues — and, most personally, his own son — nurturing the next generation of pilots.

dynamo whose compassion, courage, and commitment keep Jamaica’s spirit alive wherever her people may be.

All work is honorable work — and someone is always watching.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

AWA R D S · L E A D I N G B Y E X A M P L E

S U P E R L AT I V E AWA R D S 2 0 2 6

The Family Matriarch / Patriarch Award In past years we have presented this award to one of our family queens. This year, we found a King.

The Citation This is one of my favorite awards to give, because the person receiving it is responsible for setting the standard his family follows. He shows up — and they follow. That is what it means to be a family. A patriarch is not simply the eldest, or the loudest, or the one at the head of the table. A patriarch is the one others look to. The one who sets the tone. When he decides that family matters, his whole family decides that family matters. When he makes the effort to be present, presence becomes the family tradition. You can measure a man like this not by what he says about family, but by how many people he brings with him — and this year’s honoree never arrives alone. We give this award to the one who holds his branch of this family together, who models what it means to be present, and whose standard the rest are proud to follow.

A B O U T T H E AWA R D

Anthony “Hozan” Neunie — who never arrives alone.

The Family Matriarch/Patriarch Award is given to a leading member of the family whose life has transcended the limitations placed on them. This is an award of pride. It lets the recipient know that we are proud of their contributions — to this family and to the world. It is an award of strength, acknowledging that the honoree has allowed the generations coming up behind them to stand on their shoulders and rise to meet our potential on this planet. And it is an award of love — for love is the purest

2026 HONOREE

Anthony “Hozan” Neunie He shows up — and they follow.

form of admiration, and admiration is the closest expression of God’s happiness.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

AWA R D S · PAT R I A R C H

THE HIGHEST HONOR

The Hibbert Heritage Award A B O U T T H E AWA R D

The Hibbert Heritage Award is the highest honor that can be given to any single individual in the family. Its purpose is to highlight the one person who has contributed most to the preservation of the family name — of honor, character, and integrity — and who has provided opportunities for all of us to share in building pride within our family and our race.

The Citation In recognition of your extraordinary commitment to preserving the spirit and legacy of the Hibbert family. Through your unwavering presence, enduring kindness, and years of selfless support, you have strengthened the bonds that unite us and inspired pride in our shared heritage. Your dedication embodies the honor, character, and integrity this award 2026 HONOREE

represents.

Marcia Madden

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6 R E U N I O N C O M M I T T E E

The highest honor this family can give a single person.

AND ONE MORE THING

“When You Believe” Also at the banquet, we were treated to a truly special performance. Mother-anddaughter duo Katherine and Emily Hibbert captivated everyone with a beautiful rendition of “When You Believe,” made famous by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Their performance was a memorable and heartfelt addition to an already special evening.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

AWA R D S · H I B B E R T H E R I TA G E

Sat · Aug 1

Day 4 — Day of Reflection

L E GACY DAY · A R E T U R N TO O U R R O OT S

How Do I Even Begin to Describe August 1st? I suppose the best place to start is by remembering that August 1st is Emancipation Day in Jamaica — a day that carries deep historical significance and made everything that followed feel even more meaningful. A group of about 45 of us boarded a charter bus in Ocho Rios and traveled to St. Catherine, where we visited Dovecot Gardens, a cemetery owned and operated by members of the Hazel Hibbert line — the Madden family. There, we were joined by other family members from across the island. Our first gathering was in the chapel, where we held our family memorial service. Together, we honored the lives of more than 100 family members who have passed away throughout the years, including 50 since our first reunion in 2005. We read their names, reflected on their legacy, and watched a tribute video celebrating the lives they lived and the foundation they left for us.

Then came the most personal moment of the day. Surrounded by family, we laid my parents’ ashes to rest. It was an emotional and bittersweet farewell, but also a fitting one. After carrying them with me from Atlanta to Jamaica, I found comfort in knowing they are now resting in the land they loved, among generations of family who came before them. After such an emotional morning, we shifted to celebration and

L E G A C Y D AY, I N N U M B E R S

100+

ON THE BUS

NAMES HONORED

1834

LOST SINCE 2005

E M A N C I PAT I O N

fellowship with a visit to Devon House, where we enjoyed Jamaican patties and, of course, world-famous Devon House ice cream. It was a simple but perfect reminder of what family reunions are really about — honoring those we’ve lost while making new memories with those still by our side. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible, especially Marcia Madden Bernard, whom I will never be able to repay for her care, resources and thoughtfulness.

— Gregory Hibbert

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 4 · L E G A C Y D AY

Sat · Aug 1

Dovecot Memorial Park

T H E FA M I LY M E M O R I A L S E R V I C E

Order of Service Welcome Opening Prayer

Minister Gilbert Sharpe

Moment of Silence Candle Lighting

Members of the Family

Tribute in Song

“The Prayer” · Rafiq Williams

Poem

Family Member

Hymn

“How Great Thou Art”

Poem

“We Speak Your Name” · Family

Calling the Names of Family That Have Passed On

Family Members

Song

“You Raise Me Up” · Rafiq Williams

Poem

Family Member THE SERVICE

Tribute in Song Final Selection

One Family · One Legacy · Building Together

Dovecot Memorial Park

Rafiq Williams

Saturday, August 1, 2026 Funeral Directors: Madden’s Funeral Home

FOLLOWED BY

The interment of Ruel Hibbert (Uncle Chubby) and Patricia Hibbert (Aunt

30–32½ North Street, Kingston

Pat).

Rafiq Williams, who carried the music through the service. Calling the names of those who have gone before.

This Memorial Service gives us a chance to honour family members that have gone before, to share their past, celebrate the present and shape the future.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

L E G A C Y D AY · M E M O R I A L S E R V I C E

CALLING THE NAMES

In Loving Memory One hundred and fourteen names, read aloud in the chapel at Dovecot Gardens on Emancipation Day — every one a branch of this family, from 1889 to the present. Robert Aubrey Henry Hibbert

1889

Monica Lastina Williams “Aunty Chun”

1988

Lester Lloyd Hibbert “Kid Less”

2012

Eleanor McBean

1907

Lucille Ioney Mills

1992

Arthur Joseph Moncrieffe

2013

Zaccariah Nathaniel Hibbert

1912

Gary Alfonso Larrier

1994

Sarah Patricia Grant

2014

Ernest Alphonse Mills

1913

Joslyn Ivanhoe Hibbert

1994

Gloria Thompson

2015

Rudolph George Hibbert

1918

Esmie Agatha Davis

1996

Joyce Hibbert

2015

Albert Augustus Marquis

after 1920

James Lawrence Moffatt

1996

Arthur Gabriel Hibbert “Jimmy”

2016

Icilda Lutina Jones

after 1920

Roxanne Carlota Eley

1996

Judith Elaine Hibbert

2016

Sydney Elaine Novia Hibbert

after 1930

Mia Loren Hibbert

1997

Gloria Eunice Lawrence

2017

1932

Fabian Ignatius Reid

1998

Manley St. John Hibbert

2017

Patrick Alphonso Stewart

1935

Ruel St. Joseph Hibbert “Chubby”

1998

Faith Moncrieffe

2018

Robert Herman Hibbert

1939

Gladstone Muir

1999

Thelma Mavis Hibbert

2018

Albert Augustus Marquis

after 1940

Joseph Emmanuel Williams

1999

Dudley Carlton Hibbert “Mikey”

2019

Marian Elizabeth Mills

1999

Sadiki Madden

2019

Anthony Lushington Ebanks Hibbert

Hezekiah Hibbert Orlando Calvino Quarless Jr

1942

Fitzroy St. Aloysius Marquis Hibbert

2000

Sally Spenceley Barrell

2019

Roy Hibbert

1953

Bernice Edwards

2001

Billon Madden

2020

Violet Adel Sadie Marquis Moffatt

1955

Gwendolyn Izatta Veronica Monfries Hibbert

2001

Charlott Ann Welch

2020

Theodora Elizabeth Marquis

1956

Barrington Washington Constantine Hibbert

2002

Royston Hibbert

2020

Peter Joshua Goodman Cousin Mills

1964

Roberto Ernesto Larrier Jr

2002

Alexander Hibbert “Brother”

2021

Solomon Augustus Hibbert

1964

Clemente Sylvester Moncrieffe

2003

Dorrell Elsa Hibbert “Sally”

2021

Leslie Madden

1965

Yolande M. Dyer

2003

Beverly Hibbert

2022

1967

2022

Ruben Antonio Peterson

after 1950

Earnest Lawson Neunie

2004

Isaac Alexander Hibbert

Doris White

after 1970

Ernest Neunie

2004

Gun Thubeck

after 1970

Donna Marie Hibbert

2005

Veronica Edith Blandeen Neunie Nee Hibbert 2022 “Ninny”

Ronald Norman Hibbert “Perker”

2005

Ferdinand Leslie Madden

2006

Irene Potter

2006

after 1970

Edna Anayansi Larrier

2008

Byron Jones

1972

John Fitzgerald Hibbert

2008

Hazel Annatis Hibbert “Mother May”

1974

Leslie Ruel Joseph Madden

2008

Ann Myrtle Hibbert “Hannah”

1976

Ambrozine Finella Ross Hibbert “Nelly”

2009

Edgar Alphonso Lawrence

1978

Alfredo Constantino Morris

2010

Esther Carlota Quarless

2010

Herbert Hubert Ward Jemima McDonald Lucille Ione Hibbert “Aunt Cullu” Theophilus Euslock Hibbert

Herman Hibbert

1970 after 1970 1970

after 1980

Huntley Ezekiel Hibbert

1980

Inez Veronica Mavis Smith

2010

Ina Victoria Mills

1983

Michael Francis Marquis

2010

Sydney George Hibbert “Munus”

1983

Francis Leslie Madden

2011

Orlando Calvinio Quarless

1985

Owen Anthony Hibbert

2011

Deborah Moncrieffe

1988

Hazel Campbell

2012

Denise Moncrieffe

1988

Kiana Isis Dayes

2012

Wingsang Victor Achong

2022

Deane Hibbert

2023

Henry Young

2023

Elaine Moncrieffe “Sissy”

2024

John Lindo

2024

Rudolph Hibbert “Ruddy”

2024

Zikomo Moncrieffe

2024

Alton Dawes

2025

Lorenzo Ignacio Quarless

2025

Verna Smith

2025

Eduardo Carlisle Quarless

2026

Ivel Swaby

2026

Pearline Hyacinth Reid

2026

Resie A. Hibbert “Cherry”

2026

Patricia Josephine Hibbert “Aunt Pat”

2026

Angela Achong

2026

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

L E G A C Y D AY · I N L O V I N G M E M O R Y

L E GACY DAY · D OV E C OT GA R D E N S & D E VO N H O U S E

Emancipation Day

Dovecot Gardens, St. Catherine — owned and operated by the Madden family of the Hazel Hibbert line.

More than 100 family members were named and remembered that morning.

Reunion T-shirts on Emancipation Day — the family together at Dovecot.

Rafiq sharing his beautiful gift with the family.

Devon House — patties, and the ice cream.

Honoring those we have lost, while making new memories with those still by our side.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 4 · D O V E C O T & D E V O N H O U S E

8:00 PM · Orion 2 Ballroom

Sat · Aug 1

T H E FA M I LY M E E T I N G

Building What Comes Next We arrived back at the hotel and gathered at 8:00 PM for a substantive conversation about how we continue moving the family forward through the development of our Family Association.

A Structure of Seven Key Areas 01

President

Vice President

Finance / Foundation

History

Events

Communications

The Resource Center

A PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUNG LADIES IS OUR PRIORITY

We discussed creating a mentoring program for our young ladies, similar to the Boys to Men retreats developed for our young men — so every young person in this family has somewhere to turn.

HANDS WENT UP

It was especially encouraging to receive such a positive response from family members interested in volunteering and contributing their talents. We also completed our reunion surveys, so the Committee can learn from this year and make the next gathering better still.

A MILESTONE WORTH NAMING

We have reached a real milestone: 99 family members have become members through

1/3

That revenue is only the beginning — but it is already building a meaningful surplus,

MEMBERS ENROLLED

OF OUR GOAL OF 300

the website, each contributing $52 a year. That puts us one third of the way to our goal of 300 members. and that surplus is what we will use to begin building our Family Trust. Every membership moves us closer.

The reunion is five days. The Association is the other three hundred and sixty. C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

D AY 4 · T H E FA M I LY M E E T I N G

Sun · Aug 2

Day 5 — See You Soon

M O R N I N G B E A C H WA L K & D E V O T I O N · F O U R

Carry It Home 7 :00 DEVOTION · 7:10 WARM-UP · 7:15 WALK OR YOGA · 8 :00 FINISH

Good morning. Same beach, same sunrise, different feeling. This is the last one. The danger of a week like this is that it becomes a memory instead of a turning point. In a few hours the suitcases come down and this family scatters across countries and time zones. By Monday most of us are back at work as though none of it happened.

C A R R Y T H E S E O N T H E WA L K

1. What am I carrying home? Be specific. Vague gratitude fades by the airport. 2. Who am I calling first? A call, not a text. Pick the person and pick the date. 3. Who am I bringing next time? Somebody stayed home because nobody personally asked.

Israel carried stones up out of the river so that when a child pointed and asked, there would be something solid to point back to. We are carrying stones out of this week too — the photographs, the names we said at Dovecot, the numbers now in your phone.

T H E P R AY E R

Lord, thank You for this week — for every safe arrival, every shared meal, every conversation that

SCRIPTURE

mended something old.

“What do these stones mean?”

We thank You for those we honoured at Dovecot.

JOSHUA 4:6

Keep their memory alive in how we treat one another. Watch over every journey home. Bring each of us safely back to our doors. And do not let this week end at the airport. Keep the phone calls going and the visits going until we gather again. Bless those who could not be here, and those carrying burdens we know nothing about. Amen.

As we set off: say your goodbyes properly. Before you leave this beach, tell one person when they will hear from you again. 9:00 AM · SUN GARDEN

And Then, the Prayer Breakfast The reunion closed the way it began — together. We gathered one final time to share breakfast, reflect on the memories we had made, and pray for safe travels home.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

Until we meet again

D AY 5 · C A R R Y I T H O M E

W I T H G R AT I T U D E

The Ones Who Made It Possible Ninety-nine dues-paying members and donors. Their contributions fund the Association, sustain the website, and are building the surplus that will become our Family Trust. Amari Bryant

Claudienne Hibbert

Roneith Hibbert

Kimana NeilStrong

Shemar Christian

Conrad Hibbert

Sandra Dawn Hibbert

Adesah Neunie

Alfonso Rafael Delgado

Corrine Hibbert

Sheryl Hibbert

Anthony Neunie

Nathaniel Drysdale

David Hibbert

Sierra Hibbert

Nicole Neunie

Marcia Dyer

Elijah Hibbert

Margaret Jennings

Noah Neunie

Michael Dyer

Gregory Hibbert

Matthew Jennings

Sola Neunie

Amanda Edwards

Jacqueline Hibbert

Andre Hibbert Jr

Desarie Nicholas-NeilStrong

Carolyn Edwards

Jonah Hibbert

Huria

Preston Neunie

Daniel Edwards

Joshua Hibbert

Alicia Larrier-Williams

Noelle Nunez

Donovan Edwards

Karen Hibbert

Cherie Lawrence

Michael Platt

Dujon Edwards

Karen Hibbert (Uncle Mikey)

Ranada Leslie

Rozana Quarless

Fitzroy Edwards

Kevin Hibbert

Charlene Lyles

Jean Marie Reid

Jade Edwards

Kimberly Hibbert

Angela Madden

John Reid

Joanne Sinclair Edwards

Kirk Hibbert

Marcia Madden

Ernestine Rushing-Hibbert

Llewelyn Edwards

Lester Hibbert

Tanika Miller

Racquel Samuels

Norma Edwards

Lorna Hibbert

Gia Quarless Molinar

Janet Straker

William Espaillat

Marcia Hibbert

Donte Moncrieffe

Karin Straker

Miskah Henry

Melissa Hibbert

Fabian Moncrieffe

Kyle Straker

Andre Hibbert

Natalie M Hibbert

Malin Moncrieffe

Donna Toot

Andrew Hibbert

Nathalie Hibbert

Marcelle Moncrieffe

Asha Watson

Angelique Hibbert

Natsha Weir Hibbert

Marlon Moncrieffe

Caleb Williams

Brianna Hibbert

Noah Hibbert

Peyton Moncrieffe

Dawn Hibbert Wilson

Bridgette Hibbert

Patricia Hibbert

Teagan Moncrieffe

Keyandra Wilson

Britney Hibbert

Raquel Hibbert

Julianne Morgan

Fabian Young

Camille Hibbert

Ricky Ronald Hibbert

Andrea NeilStrong

OF OUR GOAL OF 300

IS YOUR NAME MISSING?

If you don’t see yourself on this list, we would love to add you. Membership is $52 a year at www.hibbertfamily.com, and every single one strengthens what we are building together — the Association, the website, the scholarships, and the Family Trust ahead of us. Two hundred and one names still to go.

Thank you. None of this happens without you.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

W I T H G R AT I T U D E · O U R M E M B E R S

GIVING BACK

What We Carried Down With Us Family members flew in from three countries, and a remarkable number of you gave up suitcase space to bring something that was never for yourselves. Thank you to everyone who brought school supplies to Celebration 2026. Between us we gathered hundreds of items — pencils, crayons, notebooks, pens, erasers, markers and more — carried in luggage across an ocean and handed over without any fuss. Every one of those items will be delivered to Pimento Walk Basic School in September, at the start of the new school year, when they are needed most. And when that day comes, we will share the photographs of the children receiving our family’s gift, so that everyone who contributed can see exactly where it went and whose hands it

Hundreds of items, gathered by the family and carried to Jamaica.

reached.

Pimento Walk Basic School — where our supplies are headed this September.

The children who will receive them.

W H Y I T M AT T E R S

Solomon and Elizabeth’s descendants have spread across Jamaica, Panama, England, Canada and the United States — but a reunion held in Jamaica should leave something behind in Jamaica. This is a small start, and one we intend to keep making at every gathering.

A legacy is not only what a family keeps. It is also what a family gives away. C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

G I V I N G B A C K · P I M E N T O WA L K

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Four Ways to Support the Family Everything discussed at the Family Meeting depends on the same thing: family members who step forward. Here are four ways to do it, and none require waiting for the next reunion.

Join at www.hibbertfamily.com for $52 a year.

Seven areas need people: Finance & Foundation,

Membership funds the Association, sustains the

History, Events, Communications, the Resource

website and the family archive, and builds the surplus

Center, and the offices of President and Vice

that will become our Family Trust. Ninety-nine of us

President. Whatever you are good at, there is a place

have joined. Our goal is 300.

for it here — and the young ladies’ mentoring program

Become a Member

Join a Committee

needs volunteers now.

Our tote bags raised money at the reunion, and there

Our own family history, written by their granddaughter

is far more we could do — merchandise, sponsorships,

and available on Amazon. Every copy supports the

events in your own city, and gifts to the scholarship

work — and puts our story in the hands of the next

fund. If you have an idea, the committee wants to hear

generation.

Help With Fundraising

Buy the Family Book

it.

AVA I L A B L E N O W O N A M A ZO N

The Life and Times of Solomon and Elizabeth Hibbert Memories of our Grandfather and Grandmother — written by Barbara Jones James, granddaughter. A true multigenerational Caribbean memoir written for readers aged 8 to 12: from Kingston and the 1907 earthquake to migration across Panama, Canada, the UK and the United States. A way to hand our history to the youngest among us in a form they will actually read.

S C A N TO O R D E R

Order on Amazon →

Pick one. Any one. A family this size only stays connected because people decide to do the work.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

W H AT C O M E S N E X T · WAY S T O S U P P O R T

C LO S I N G · C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

THANK YOU to every single one of you

To everyone who traveled, planned, drove, sang, spoke, prayed, competed, donated, volunteered, photographed, organized and simply showed up — thank you. Celebration 2026 belonged to all of us, and none of it would have happened without you. Thank you to the Reunion Committee, to our presenters, honorees and award recipients, to the family who welcomed us at Dovecot Gardens, and to every partner who helped us pull it off. And to those who could not make the journey but held us in their thoughts — you were counted among us too.

Keep Your Dues Current

Make the Call

Bring Someone New

Active members carry the Association

The cousin you promised to phone from

Somebody stayed home because nobody

between reunions.

the beach. Do it this month.

asked.

Your reunion surveys are being read. The Committee will report back on what we heard — and on what we intend to do differently next time.

Your presence was the legacy. See you at the next one.

C E L E B R AT I O N 2 0 2 6

C LO S I N G · T H A N K YO U

THE

STORY

CONTINUES

We are not just gathering… we are continuing something that began long before us — and will live long after us.

R E L I V E I T — P R E S E N TAT I O N S & V I D E O S

2026 Family History Presentation

2026 Memorial Video

Reunion Memories Video

Open the presentation →

Watch the video →

Scan the code with your phone camera, or tap the link — all three are also at www.hibbertfamily.com

www.hibbertfamily.com Visit the Family Store · Support the Family Fund, Trust & Foundation

REUNION COMMITTEE

Gregory Hibbert · Kevin Hibbert · Nathalie Hibbert · Lorna Hibbert · Karen Janet Straker · Amari Bryant

May God bless our family always and forever.