In the winter of 2001, members of an online discussion group who are decendants of New Orleans Free People of Color (Gens De Couleur) were dicussing the fact that it would be fun to get together in New Orleans "one of these days". It sparked an idea to form a group for just that purpose and CHERS was born. The Creole Ladies got busy, had online and offline meetings, formed committees and just 4 months later we held our first anual CHERS conference. The response we got was overwhelming. We were expecting about 50 or so people to attend. The number that attended was closer to 200.

Our second annual convention held in June 2003 was also an overwhelming success. The theme of the 2003 conference was “Free Women of Color in Louisiana Creole society: their Perseverance, Entrepreneurship, Intelligence". Members of the CHERS had a chance to step back into the footsteps of our female ancestors while learning about Colonial Creole fashions, their business successes, court cases involving Creole women and how their society was similar to other colonial societies.

As Creoles we have a history of close knit families, but in our changing times, families may not have kept touch. Our conferences have brought families back together that may have lost each other generations ago. Nothing is more heart warming than when members discover family links during one of our discussion sessions. (Oh, my goodness...we are cousins!!) Our next conference will be held in the Summer of 2004. Plan to bring plenty of hugs, a taste for excellent cuisine and join the family!