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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Carrollton, VA, United States, 10/29/2007 - The Family Restoration Conference, hosted by Slave Descendants Freedom Society and Diversity Restoration Solutions, includes information-packed sessions on genealogy, healthcare and education, cultural tours and a business and technology forum.
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Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc. and Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. announce the first annual Family Restoration Conference will take place in The Gambia, West Africa in June 2008. The in-depth conference will explore historical and cultural points of interest related to family genealogy and history and business development opportunities available in The Gambia. The conference evolved from three genealogy and history symposium events conducted by Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc. and Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. in the United States since 2004.
“At the conference, we look forward to broadening awareness about The Gambia, a historically rich and economically productive country,” said Eric Sheppard, president of Diversity Restoration Solutions and chairman of the Slave Descendants Freedom Society. “The Family Restoration Conference will bring together a diverse mix of families, educators, diplomats and business executives from across the African Diaspora for five days of engaging dialogue interweaved with informative seminars and entertaining tours. The mission of the conference is two-fold: to strengthen families by providing a foundation of knowledge for genealogical research and support trade between the U.S. and The Gambia.”
The conference is slated for May 31-June 8, 2008, with travel arrangements coordinated by Avocet Travel. The conference itinerary includes:
• A Cultural Presentation Forum addressing the history of Africans in The Gambia and United States
• Seminar Exchange Sessions on African and African-American genealogy research, education, healthcare, and tourism and travel
• A Business Investment and Technology Forum (a joint program with the Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Trade Agency-GIPZA)
• Tours of Gambian historical and cultural sites
In addition to the conference, all attendees will have the opportunity to participate in The Gambia’s 9th International Roots Festival, a biennial cultural heritage event that invites all people of African descent and all persons committed to the well being of Africans and the development of Africa, back home to The Gambia.
“Avocet Travel is honored to be the official tour operator for the Family Restoration Conference because of the wonderful work its presenting organizations do,” said Avocet’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tracey Mendelsohn. “We are also delighted to be part of raising awareness of The Gambia. When our Chairman and CEO, Clarence Smith, founded Avocet, it was with the idea that cultural heritage travel is one of the most profound ways to explore our shared human history, increase understanding and distribute benefits throughout Diaspora societies and communities. The association with the conference helps to advance our mission.”
Conference packages begin at $2,900 per person (double occupancy) and include airfare, hotel accommodations, transfers, conference registration fees/conference activities and daily buffet breakfasts. Registration for the conference only is $250 per person. Hotel accommodations will be at the Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort and Spa (conference site) and The Kairaba Beach Hotel.
To learn more about the Family Restoration Conference, visit slavedescendants.org and avocettravel.com online, or call Avocet Travel at (866) 862-2442.
Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc.
Slave Descendants Freedom Society's, Inc.’s (slavedescendants.org) mission is to help descendants of enslaved African ancestors in America and others reconnect with their ancestral heritage. Established by Eric and Lisa Sheppard in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Society seeks to promote and encourage an open dialogue across generations about African American ancestral history through genealogy research and awareness initiatives and sponsorship of educational events. As a lasting tribute to African American ancestral heroes, the Society honors the unrecognized labor contributions that enslaved African Americans made to the building of the United States by supporting memorial projects commemorating their efforts.
About Diversity Restoration Solutions
Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc. (diversityrestoration.com) is an industrial management services and cultural diversity training consulting firm specializing in providing innovative solutions to resolve 21st century government, industry and community challenges. The company provides unique solutions to complex problems as it relates to economic development, cultural diversity and poverty eradication. President and CEO, Eric A. Sheppard, is a visionary for developing business and cultural relationships to increase commerce and trade between African Americans and Africans. Sheppard is also the founder and chairman of the nonprofit organization Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc.
About the Tour Operator (Avocet Travel)
Avocet Travel (avocettravel.com) was founded in 2004 with a specialization in tours to the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. By client demand the company has since expanded its portfolio to include cultural, leisure and other specialized travel programs to all of the Americas (South, Central and North), Africa and Europe as well as cruises and island destinations throughout the word. The Chairman/CEO of Avocet Travel, Clarence Smith, is a distinguished entrepreneur and the President Emeritus and Co-founder of Essence Communications, publisher of Essence Magazine, the premier publication for African American women since 1970. Smith created Avocet Travel with idea of again building cultural bridges, this time by encouraging people of all backgrounds and nationalities to travel to Cultural and World Heritage destinations.
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info[.]slavedescendants.org 
