His mission was simple. Seek forgiveness from the millions of displaced Africans. He led his entire country in this simple yet difficult venture. Benin President Mathieu Kerekou did a brave thing. He along with the Beninese people took responsibility for their country's past and he invited other nations to do the same. A few joined him.

Welcome to Benin (left). Kelly Wright and Aaron Kurtz (middle).
Van Dora Williams (right).

WHRO and FOX43 traveled to Benin in West Africa to document these events. About 125 Americans were there from all over the country. Each had a reason for coming, each returned changed. Kelly Wright of FOX43 and Van Dora Williams of WHRO teamed up to cover this event. You'll read excerpts from their personal journals and hear white and black Americans share their experiences.

Congressman Tony Hall and Senator James Inhofe spoke with deep conviction and sincere regret about America's hand in the Atlantic slave trade. If you'd like to learn more about these congressmen, visit their web sites:

http://www.house.gov/tonyhall
http://www.senate.gov/~inhofe

About Noble Desire

In February 2001, WHRO broadcast Noble Desire, a one-hour television documentary about the Republic of Benin and the historic Reconciliation and Development Conference that took place in December 1999. The program chronicles the experiences of three Virginians who were there as part of an American delegation. Noble Desire is the culmination of collaboration between WHRO and FOX TV 43.

Background
Noble Desire features the historic efforts of President Mathieu Kerekou, of the Republic of Benin. He invited descendents of African and European slave trading nations to apologize for the role of their ancestors in the Atlantic Slave Trade to representatives of the African diaspora and to seek forgiveness. Three hundred people attended this historic gathering including the President of Ghana, nearly 50 African Kings, two members of the United States Congress, business and political leaders from several European nations, and representatives of the African diaspora.