Louisiana Creole Research Association, Inc. Announces Its
Fourth Annual Conference

The Louisiana Creole Research Association (LA Creole) is a New Orleans-based, non-profit genealogy and family research organization with more than 200 members across the nation. It was founded in August of 2004 for the purpose of assisting Creoles in researching their ancestry, educating the general public about the Creole culture, and celebrating the contributions and legacy of a "forgotten" people. Creoles as defined here are the offspring of European, African, and/or Native American settlers in colonial Louisiana.

In keeping with its purpose, LA Creole will be hosting its 4th Annual Conference on November 15-16, 2008 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 300 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA. The theme of this year's conference is: Louisiana Creoles of Color: Resistance and the Cause for Racial Equality.
The conference agenda will include of captivating speakers, lively panel discussions, exhibits, vendors, and a Sunday Jazz Brunch (Brunch seating is limited). The conference will include a wide range of topics. Members of the Sisters of the Holy Family and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament will speak on their revolutionary foundresses, Henriette Delille and St. Katherine Drexel, who worked on behalf of people of color. There will also be a panel discussion including representatives of New Orleans historic Creole newspapers, among them the Louisiana Weekly. There will also be a lecture on the fight that Creoles of color led in the mid-nineteenth century for integrated seating in the French Opera House. A period operatic performance by acclaimed soprano, Giovanna Joseph, will follow the lecture. Two highlighted panels are entitled “Race and Reconstruction,” and “Creole: An Endangered Culture?” Topics also include the history of New Orleans and Straight Universities and the Native Guards.

Conference registration of $35.00 includes all of the above events on Saturday. The Sunday Jazz Brunch is $40.00 by reservations only, as seating is limited. For more information, please contact: Jennifer Ellsworth at 504-241-1439 ellsworthii@aol.com or Lolita Cherrie at 504-453-5922 lolitac454@aol.com. Visit LA Creole online at www.lacreole.org.