As chairperson of this year’s Garnes Family Reunion, I’m honored to help bring us together once again. For those of you who I may not have had the pleasure to meet or who aren’t familiar with me, I’d like to share a little about myself.

Like you, my roots trace back to our patriarch, Sylvester Garnes, through his eldest son, John Garnes, the father of Willie Garnes, who was the father of my mother, Emma Jean Garnes-Washington. Friends and family have lovingly come to know me as “Big Mama,” a name I hold with deep respect as it reflects the warmth, love, and connection I strive to share. I’m a proud mother of five—having raised a son, two daughters, and two adopted daughters. My late husband, Charles Guy Rogers Sr., with whom I shared 32 wonderful years before his passing in 2006, continues to inspire me with his memory of grace, resilience, and love of family.

Since retiring in 2020 from Spirit AeroSystems after 45 years of service, I have been able to focus even more on family, my work in foster care, and doing my small part to preserve our family's legacy whenever and however I can.

I think faith, family, and service have always been the core of who I am, keeping me grounded and reminding me to lead with a servant’s heart. Since 2007, I’ve opened both my home and heart to more than 20 children, welcoming them as part of my family and offering the love, care, and support every child deserves. For over 25 years, I’ve also served as a member of Continental Societies, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., supporting children and communities in need.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed planning family gatherings—whether it’s holiday dinners, family vacations, or special events. One of the moments I hold dearest was organizing the 2015 family reunion cruise to the Bahamas where we celebrated 200 years since the Garnes family was first documented in the U.S. The night before we set sail in Miami, we all came together that evening and had a lot of fun singing karaoke, spending time together, and creating memories we’ll never forget.

As we gather in Wichita this year, I look forward to celebrating our roots, unity, and the bonds that make us family. Psalm 133:1 says it best: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Let’s honor our past, embrace the present, and continue to build a bright future for generations to come.