ALL ABOUT TRUEHEARTS UNITED INC.

Trueheart's United Incorporated (TUI) was born  in 1992.  It was established as a vehicle through which the descendants of Richard and Emily Trueheart could rekindle a strong sense of family by reuniting family members long separated by time and distance; re-establishing the once strong family bonds that had become frayed over the years; and re-establishing the tradition of coming together as a family.  It was also created as a resource through which we as a family could use our collective strengths and support mechanisms to create a better life for all our family members.

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Over the past decade, TUI has been very successful in re-establishing the tradition of coming together as a family.  However, as you know, this tradition did not start with the establishment of TUI.  Family members who left their homes in King William County Virginia in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families often felt the need to reconnect with their roots and to make sure that family bonds were still there and still strong. Life was difficult in those days for African American families and faith in God, strong family support, and hard work was how the family survived.  This is why these family gatherings, or reunions became so very important in keeping the family together.

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For many years, two family members in particular, were very instrumental in keeping this tradition going in the Trueheart family--aunt Eva and uncle Joe Simms. Their doors were always opened to welcome family members home.  It didn’t matter whether they knew you were coming, or you showed up on their doorstep in the middle of the night; you were always welcomed and could count on a place to stay and good food to eat.

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The annual homecoming services of the local churches (Oak Grove and Rock Springs) were also a reason for the family to return home each year. Everyone made a point of trying to attend these reunions because they were sure to see their family and most of their friends. There was no Holiday Inn in those days, so many stayed with aunt Eva and uncle Joe knowing they would have to share sleeping quarters, which was very limited.  There was always plenty of good food, tall tales to be shared, and just plain old fashioned family fun for young and old alike.  Just being a part of it really recharged your spirit and really let you know what family was all about.

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As enjoyable as these gatherings were, there came a time when the family seemed to drift away from these annual reunions.  The family seemed to come together only on sad occasions, usually at the funeral of a beloved family member.  And on each such occasion we would make a promise to each other to get together like we use to in years past, to eat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company. 

Finally, in March, 1991 after the death of Jeff Trueheart (uncle Jeff), the children of Jeff Trueheart, Ruth Trueheart Washington, and Edna Trueheart Dean had enough of attending the funerals of their beloved family members and decided it was time to do more than give the usual lip-service promise to get together.  Ruth Turner-Gilbert and Carrie Washington Johnson took the lead and planned the first cousin-to-cousin reunion, which was held on May25, 1991 in Fort Washington Maryland at the home of Carrie and Chuck Johnson.  Although this was a small gathering, it was evident from the very beginning that the same strong family bond and warm feelings were still there. The cousins reminisced about their childhood and the way they were raised, the values that were instilled in them by their parents, and the family members who had been their “heroes” and “role models” when they were growing up.

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A lifetime of wonderful memories were shared that day. The cousins expressed their desire to establish for their children and grandchildren the same family tradition of coming together that they had experienced as children, and made a commitment to do whatever was necessary to make that happened.  This was the beginning of the idea for TUI.  The cousins put together a steering committee, chaired by Ruth Turner-Gilbert, which was tasked with organizing the first DC-Metropolitan area chapter of the Trueheart Family.  This steering committee had two major objectives:  1) to get the Trueheart Family incorporated; and 2) to re-establish the tradition of having an annual family reunion.

 The cousins also wanted to share their ideas with their other cousins, so they planned a second cousin-to-cousin gathering, which was held on August 10, 1991 in Fort Washington, Maryland.  Family members from all over the DC Metropolitan area and Richmond attended this gathering.  It was even more evident at the second cousin-to-cousin reunion, that the re-establishment of the annual family reunion was something that was wanted and needed. The cousins who attended the reunion pledged their commitment and support to hosting an annual Trueheart family reunion and establishing a Trueheart Family corporation. 

            

The steering committee, which now included more cousins from the Metropolitan DC area and Richmond, met on a monthly basis to plan the first national Trueheart family reunion, which was funded entirely out-of-pocket by the members of the steering committee.  Ruth Turner-Gilbert coordinated the committee’s efforts to establish the family corporation, and prepared all the documentation needed for the Trueheart family to become incorporated.

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Since many family members had been hosting reunion gathering in the areas where they lived and there was already a strong following, it was felt that the best way to keep that cohesiveness going and build upon what was already in place was to have each area operate as a “chapter,” united under the Trueheart family umbrella. Thus the name Truehearts United Incorporated was chosen as the name for the organization, and three chapters (Metro-DC, Richmond, and Pennsylvania) were organized under the TUI umbrella.  Since that time, New York has been ratified as a TUI chapter and Connecticut is pending ratification. TUI was officially incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on December 16, 1991.

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The first Trueheart Family Reunion hosted by the TUI organization was held September 25-27, 1992, in Crystal City, Virginia.  Attendance at this joyous affair far exceeded the Committee’s wildest expectations.  More than 250 family members attended, and we have matched or exceeded that number almost every year since that time.

 

TUI has come a long way over the past 10 years and has been very successful with its reunion activities.  It was the rekindled Trueheart family spirit that helped to re-establish this tradition. It was their faith in God, love for their family, commitment, and hard work of the founding cousins that has brought us this far.  It will take the same level of love, commitment, dedication, and hard work from the entire family to preserve and continue this tradition and our heritage for future generations.