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The Krio Descendants Union Maryland (KDU-MD) successfully hosted the 2025 Global Family Reunion from August 28 to September 1, bringing together Krios, descendants, and friends from across the world for five days of cultural celebration, spiritual reflection, and community bonding in Maryland, USA.
The Krios, descendants of freed Africans from America, Britain, and the Caribbean who settled in Sierra Leone in the late 18th century, have long played a pivotal role in the country’s history and culture.
The reunion, which has grown into the largest Krio gathering outside Sierra Leone, reaffirmed the community’s resilience and its commitment to preserving heritage across generations and continents.
The event opened on Thursday with a poignant visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Attendees explored exhibits connecting Krio and African American history, including artifacts from Sierra Leonean hero Sengbe Pieh of the Amistad case. Later, the KDU-MD Young Adults hosted a lively town hall and games night filled with parables, storytelling, music, and dancing bridging the past with the energy of youth leadership.
On Friday, a Muslim Thanksgiving Service at the Diyanet Center of America highlighted the community’s religious diversity, with Imam Alhaji Sadigu Alghali delivering the sermon. That evening, over 500 guests gathered for the much-anticipated “En Kip Compin” Meet & Greet at the Hampton Conference Center. Guests enjoyed music, fashion, Krio cuisine, and camaraderie, with a cultural showcase led by designer Mrs. Chidimma Jones Mubima of Boutique Adonai.
Saturday was marked by a powerful Symposium at the Crowne Plaza in Greenbelt, where scholars and community leaders reflected on the Krio identity and global contributions. A traditional Awujoh Luncheon Sale in Beltsville featured classic dishes like crain crain, ololeh, and jollof rice, while the evening culminated in a grand Dinner and Dance at Martin’s Crosswinds. Over 1,200 attendees celebrated in style as the first-ever Mrs. Cassandra Garber Award was presented to Ms. Iyamide Thomas in recognition of her service.
Sunday’s Church Thanksgiving Service at St. John Baptist Church in Columbia was led by Rev. Shika Ademu-John and attended by dignitaries including Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Amara Sowa. A proclamation from Howard County Executive Calvin B. Ball III was presented, affirming the importance of the Krio community. The day ended with a March Past by the Albert Academy Brass Band USA and the symbolic “Tata and Pan Lamp Handing Over Ceremony,” officially transferring future hosting duties to KDU-Georgia.
The reunion closed on Monday with the colorful “Yangeh Yangeh” Brunch Cruise aboard The Spirit of Washington. More than 350 guests, dressed in vibrant African prints, enjoyed Sierra Leonean music, dance, and traditional food against the scenic backdrop of Washington, DC.
Throughout the week, the reunion not only honored the Krio people’s legacy of resilience and cultural pride but also strengthened global connections among members of the diaspora. From museum tours to symposiums, thanksgiving services to boat cruises, KDU-MD left an indelible mark, setting a high bar for future hosts.
As the torch passes to KDU-Georgia, the spirit of unity and heritage continues to shine brightly, reaffirming the Krios’ enduring influence both in Sierra Leone and across the globe.
