Wall of Return Dedication 6/23/2010

Join us for the Wall of Return (Africa)

Dedication Dinner
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
BWI Airport Marriott
6:00pm - General Reception

7:00pm Dinner & Program

Dear Friends and Supporters of African American Family Heritage,

It is our honor to invite you and your family to join us at the Wall of Return (Africa) Project Dedication Dinner on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at the BWI Airport Marriott in Baltimore, Maryland. The Wall of Return is a memorial project created by Eric Sheppard, president and CEO of Diversity Restoration Solutions, an international trade development firm focused on U.S.-Africa trade and cultural relations. The dinner is part of the annual 2010 Africa Business Conference for U.S. and African small businesses.

The project, which began almost 3 years ago, will serve as a way to symbolically return home to Africa the names of our enslaved and freed African diaspora ancestors who were part of the transatlantic slave trade beginning over 400 years ago. The Wall will also serve as the 21st century healing response to the "Doors of No Return" that many of our ancestors walked through at slave castles and holding facilities throughout West Africa. Individuals who purchased name space to support the project will also be listed on the Wall and recognized at the dinner.

Our guest speaker will be Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, Ambassador for the African Union Mission in Washington, DC. The African Union represents 53 member African states and is headquartered in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. Ambassador Ali, a friend and supporter of our reconnection efforts, will be welcoming the Wall of Return project to the continent of Africa.

As many of you know, our passion for family history, genealogy and recognizing the contributions of our enslaved ancestors does not start with this dedication dinner, but has been consistent for almost 10 years ago with the discovery of an enslaved ancestor named Moses Grandy and formation of our former nonprofit, Slave Descendants Freedom Society, Inc.

You may have also attended our annual slavery symposiums, which educated the general public on the legacy of African American slave history, attended a lecture on genealogy and family history or had your child participate in our Children's History Club. But overall, it was the inspiration, courage and tenacity that Eric received from Moses Grandy’s documented legacy and accomplishments which makes this project possible today.

Tickets are available for $60.00 per person or a table of 10 sponsorship for $600.00 with premium location seating for your group. Tickets are on sale now at www.regonline.com/wallofreturndinner and will be available through June 15th or until sold out. Space is limited. Please call us immediately if you plan to purchase a table so that your name can be included in our dinner program booklet.

For more information, contact us at (757) 484-0906 or email us at info@diversityrestoration.com . We hope you will be able to help us celebrate at this historic occasion, and please feel free to share with others who might be interested in attending as well. If you are not able to attend, please continue to keep the project and our Africa reconnection efforts in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Eric and Lisa Sheppard
Diversity Restoration Solutions