In the early seventies a group of family members, descendants of Oliver and Emmaline Sturdivant, held a family reunion in Charlotte, North Carolina.  This reunion was held at the home of Joseph and Louise Nance Alexander.  That group included Nances, Alexanders, Bidgoods, Dargans, McClains and Sturdivants.  This was the beginning of the Bidgood, Dargan, Sturdivant, Nance, McClain Family Reunion.  

This Family Reunion has always included extended family members.  The last family to join this group was the McClain Family.  It does however find its roots firmly entrenched in the Sturdivant Family.

In late 2006 the BDSNM National Family Reunion Committee decided it was time to find a way for all of the families to come together as part of a common cause.  The cause was to give back to our family and community.  Thus the idea was born to fom a family foundation.  

The foundation would be a national foundation incorporated in the state of California under the IRS guidelines of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  The primary purpose is to provide financial and educational assistance to those in need.  The committee further decided that the foundation would carry the names of all the families represented on the committee.  

At first it was the BDSN Family Foundation.  Before it was incorporated, the McClain family joined the group so the name was submitted as the BDSNM Family Foundation.  On May 16, 2007 the California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen signed into existence the BDSNM Family Foundation.  Application is underway to the IRS for exemption from taxes as a non-profit organization.  This organization will operate in as many states as we have family members willing to be a part of it.  Welcome to the BDSNM Family Foundation.

Click here to view the Articles of Incorporation.



BDSNM National Family Reunion Inc.
Scholarship Fund & Application

Dear BDSNM Family Members:
 
The BDSNM National Reunion Committee wants to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend the 2008 BDSNM Reunion in Anaheim, California.  The BDSNM has established a scholarship fund to assist family members who need help with registration fees and travel costs (hotel and airline tickets).
 
Scholarships are given to those who are within three categories:
 
·        Senior citizens (85 years or older)
 
·        Disabled family members
 
·        Families with a large number of children (three or more)
 
If you or someone in your family requires monetary assistance to defer the costs in attending the family reunion and fall into any of the above three categories, please complete the brief application (attached) and prepare a letter indicating the reason (s) that you need assistance.  The Scholarship Committee consists of persons from the national committee. The award decisions will be communicated only to the person that requested the assistance. All information will be kept confidential and not shared outside of the committee.  All letters and other documents will be shredded after the award determination is made.
 
Please contact your National Family Reunion Committee Representative if you have questions regarding the application process.
 
 
The BDSNM National Family Reunion Committee

Click here to download the Application.