Hundreds of enthusiastic genealogists with African or African American roots from across the state gathered Feb. 20 as part of the ninth annual Black Family History Month Symposium. This year’s Community Service Award recipient was Martin Luther King III — son of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr for his desire to carry out his father’s work.

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-413565

Atlanta’s LDS public affairs presents Martin Luther King III this year’s Community Service Award

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58827/Atlantas-LDS-public-affairs-presents-Martin-Luther-King-III-this-years-Community-Service-Award.html

See also Eternal Families Worldwide  exhibit at DC Temple including artwork from Uganda

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58824/Washington-DC-Visitors-Center-hosts-international-families-exhibit.html

On July 20, 2009 when President Thomas S. Monson met with President Barack Obama, it marked only the fourteenth time when an LDS Church president had a meeting in the White House with the President. See …

March 15, 2009 – The Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1700526.html

The African American Family History Conference in St. Louis, MO, drew nearly 400 participants. The Church website has a report:

Conference Helps African Americans Connect to Ancestors

SEATTLE 14 March 2008

When Lynn Stowell, a volunteer guide at Saturday’s opening of the new Northwest African American Museum, helped a man find information about his grandfather, the man wept. Such was the very personal response among some of the guests…

…The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated computers, a digital imaging system and other equipment and software to the center. Local Latter-day Saint family history experts provided training to center personnel…

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This spring, nationally renowned specialists will join community members to discuss the genealogical resources and techniques available to members of the African American community who want to research their ancestors.

Sponsored by the African American Genealogy Group, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Chick-fil-A, National Archives and Records Administration Mid-Atlantic Region, Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mid-Atlantic African American Genealogy Conference (MAAAGC) will be held April 19, 2008, Cherry Hill Family History Center, located at 252 Evesham Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.

Conference presenters include:

Dr. Rick Kittles, Scientific Director of African Ancestry Inc, and featured geneticist in the popular PBS specials “African American Lives” and “Finding Oprah’s Roots.” Dr. Kittles specializes in tracing ancestry using DNA testing and will be the keynote speaker.

Reginald Washington, African American Genealogy Specialist at the National Archives

Khadijah Matin, National President of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society

Attendees will be able to attend more than 20 hour-long training sessions for beginning and intermediate researchers, including topics, such as: Military and Slavery Records, Native American Ancestry, Internet and Technology Tools, Repositories, Research Tips and Techniques, Family Involvement, and more. Those who register in advance may also discuss questions or problems specific to their research and receive individual help during a special “brick wall” session (geared specifically for researchers who have hit a “brick wall” in their endeavors to research ancestors).

Community members and organizations from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region are invited to the conference, and to access the expertise of some of the best and most experienced African American genealogical researchers to delve deeper into their own family legacies.

For more information on the conference or to pre-register yourself or your group/organization, please visit the conference web site at: www.maaagc.com.