9th Annual National Diversity Conference to Highlight Leadership,
Learning and Innovation

Early Bird Conference Registration ends on October 15th and the
Sheraton Hotel's "special room rate" ends on October 29th!!

Forrest A. Parker, Keynote Conference Speaker

Leadership through Diversity, the poignant theme for the Ninth Annual Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference will take place this year in Richmond, VA on November 11-13, 2004. Conference organizers have worked vigorously throughout the year to provide an informative, interesting and thought-provoking agenda that is sure to attract educators administrators, business and community leaders, and college students that share a common interest in topics centered around diversity, leadership and community relations.

Multi-Ethnic Perspectives, Inc. is a non-profit organization, based in Fredericksburg, VA whose mission is to provide diversity training and multicultural education that will result in positive community relations and leadership development. The vision is to strengthen the future of individuals, organizations, and communities and create new capacities for leadership, learning and innovation through partnering and mentoring. Multi-Ethnic Perspectives, Inc. provides open enrollment and customized training, technical assistance, and consulting services. The organization was created as an extension of a highly acclaimed multicultural initiative involving educators, students, businesses, and public agencies and its national conference has received the ongoing support of these entities.

"Our annual conference a compelling example of how we're consistently working to achieve our mission and goals," said Forrest A. Parker, President and CEO of Multi-Ethnic Perspectives, Inc. "We have been fortunate to attract a diverse group of top-flight speakers and presenters from cities across the United States, and look forward to helping to build a coalition of influential people who are committed to making a positive difference in their schools and communities."

Through a variety of workshops, sessions and timely topics targeted to matters of race, diversity, and community building, this year's conference features a variety of acclaimed speakers, interactive seminars, cultural performances, and exhibits. The Leadership Scholar's Program is one of the special features of the conference. Its purpose is to provide participants with the core competencies necessary for designing and leading effective diversity initiatives; assessing organizational and community climates; building coalitions of stakeholders; and facilitating productive teams and focus groups.

Since its inception, Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conferences have underscored the importance of education and community building in minimizing and eliminating factors that foster racial discord and divide. "In these economic and political times, its more important now than ever before to strengthen the leadership capacity of our youth, minorities, and community and businesses leaders, and encourage active partnerships between them around issues of race, diversity and community. This is one vital step in bringing down the walls that divide us, and strengthening our Nation," Parker added.

For more information about the Ninth Annual Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference, including topics, speakers, and conference registration, please click on the following link http://www.ajfosterassociates.com/FAPCONSULTANTS.html