A national Web conference recognizing the United Nations Dedication of 2011 as the “International Year for People of African Descent” will take place from 6 to 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale.

It will be sponsored by AHP Enrichment Resources Inc., 2321 Forrest St., Hollywood, and is free and open to the public.

According to organizer Tyrone A. Ash, the conference will focus on gathering and maintaining the history of people of African descent, the roles of research libraries, the story of the Diaspora and why it is important to tell it.

Ash said panelists will include Francine Henderson, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Cultural, Atlanta;  Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York City; Charleszine Nelson, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library on African American Cultural History, Denver; Elaina Norlin, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Ft. Lauderdale; Cheryl Wynter, former Director, Jamaica Information Agency; and  Niara Sudarkasa, historian, former president, Lincoln University.

Ash announced that he will launch his first book, The Story GrandPa Told of American and World African Legends and Culture, during the webcast.

Conference supporters include AutoNation, Lank Oil, JM Family Enterprises, Pembroke Lakes Mall and Sav Quick Printing.