Happy 99th Birthday to our beloved family matriarch and Queen, Violet Juliet Alford-Patterson. Brilliant, beautiful, sweet, and sassy, she embodies all the makings of an Alford Queen. Affectionately known to many as “Aunt Vi,” she has faithfully served as a founder and curator of the Alford Family Reunion since its inception 51 years ago. Through her vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication, she hosted countless reunions and helped establish many of the traditions and pr

The Piano Lesson  by August Wilson is a powerful story about family, history, and legacy. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, it follows siblings Boy Willie and Berniece as they struggle over a family piano carved with the faces and stories of their enslaved ancestors. Boy Willie wants to sell it to buy land and build a future, while Berniece believes the piano must be kept as a reminder of their family’s past and sacrifices. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, The Piano Less