By: Gabriel I.H. Williams
Washington, D.C. Feb. 19, 2015: The Diaspora Affairs Office of the Embassy of Liberia hosted its First Annual Professionals Summit on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.
The well-attended and impressive Professionals Summit, which featured mostly young accomplished professionals of diverse background, was aimed at discussing ways on how to begin rebranding Liberia as the country transitions from the Ebola crisis to recovery.
According to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Summit was a showcase of the abundance of Liberian talents, intended to encourage emerging professionals to see themselves as winners and motivate young Liberians to unleash their potentials.
In their respective presentations, the experts from various professions shared information about their activities, and proffered ideas and suggestions regarding actions most needed to move forward in the redevelopment and rebranding of Liberia.
Speakers at the event, moderated by Mr. James Butty, Managing Editor of the Voice of America’s Daybreak Africa program, included Dr. Kondeh Greaves, an OB-GYN Physician in Northern Virginia, who is a leading member of the joint initiative, Project Liberia Ebola that contributes to the Liberian Ebola emergency response through mobilization and provision of much needed personal protective equipment and Ebola awareness education materials to the health sectors in Liberia.
Others were Mr. Erickson Miller, a U.S. military Reserve Officer and Administrative Director and a principal administrative advisor to Senator Brian Schatz on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.; Ms. Korto Momolu, Fashion Designer who is making headways in mainstream America; Mr. Richelieu Lomax, a Harvard University Law School product who is an Attorney at the World Bank investigating corruption in WB-supported projects around the world; as well as Ms. Adenah Boyah, a Real Estate Entrepreneur who is owner of 14 residential and commercial properties and also recently became an owner of a IHOP restaurant in New Jersey. Ms. Boyah, who was 13 years old when she escaped Liberia’s civil war, is a member of the Advisory Council of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.
Also sharing their experiences were two young professionals from Liberia who are currently in Washington, D.C. among hundreds of young professionals from around the world serving as Atlas Corps Fellows. Lawrence Yealue and Luther Jeke shared their experiences on initiatives with which they are involved in Liberia to develop small and medium enterprises, efforts being made to provide communication and information technology services in Liberia to enhance productivity, and how the Atlas Corps Fellowship is changing their world to provide quality services when they return to Liberia.
A common call that was echoed by all speakers was the need for Liberians to unite and work together for the common good of the country, and that Liberians in position of influence should encourage, support and mentor young Liberians to aspire to become productive members of society.
Capturing the positive elevated mood of the occasion, which had the speakers and audience engaged for more than four hours, Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, said the successful rebranding of Liberia depends on Liberians sharing ideas regarding the way forward, as well as harnessing the abundance of the country’s human and material resources.
As a highlight of the impressive event, Ms. Korto Momolu, who earned a spot on the hit Bravo TV show, Project Runway, showcased her Spring Collection, to the sound of beautiful African beats and to the delight of the audience.
The Ward Fund, a nonprofit organization that is actively supporting educational programs in Liberia, partnered with the Embassy of Liberia in holding the Liberian Professionals Summit.
About the author: Gabriel I.H. Williams is the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs. He can be reached at: Tel: 240-396-7246; gabrielwilliams028@gmail.com
