Cousin Liz and Cousin Susan worship at the historic St Augustus AME Zion Church Rev. Julian Pridgen presiding

While I have no conscious memory of the event, it surely felt great being back in the home where I was born at 506 East Blount Street in Kinston North Carolina.

My parents Joshua E. Borden Sr. and C. Bessie Cox Borden transported my older brother Joshua Jr. and me to Norfolk, Va. soon after my Mom graduated from Elizabeth City State Teachers College. I believe I was about 4 years old when we moved to New York City. I love living in New York! Yet, I visit Philadelphia quite often to spend time with grandson Asa Amandla, granddaughter Bradleigh Dejeneba, daughter LiRon Anderson-Bell, son-in-law Glenn Bell and my Grand-Dog Jaxon Bell and of course, cousin Susan Borden. I have lots of blood cousins as well as play cousins in Philly so in a way Philly is my second home – but I am not leaving New York (I don’t think).

While I am still employed as a professor at the City University of New York (part-time), I mostly enjoy my work as a cultural artist. My main hobby is preparing delicious food – I love to eat and I was fed very well while in Kinston during my last two visits. Thank you Charles and Martha! Thank you Alice and William Henry! I am looking forward to reuniting with my kinsfolk at the reunion this August.

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Elizabeth is the daughter of Joshua Edward Borden, Sr (Bessie Cox Borden), Granddaughter of John Louis Borden (Cottie Elvira Eason), Great Granddaughter of Joshua Borden (Judah Austin Borden) and Great Great Granddaughter of Ben Holden.