Minnesotans are in for an exciting Liberian Independence Day treat with the staging of the Annual Independence Day Dinner and Ball, hosted by the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) on Friday, July 26.
The popular Independence Day Ball, which is held annually to celebrate Liberia’s independence, is one of the most anticipated events in the Liberian community.
However, leading to the Ball, a host of other events will be happening, starting with a community appreciation barbeque on July 25 that will kick off the near weeklong celebration. That barbeque will happen on the parking lot of the Liberian Community Center in Brooklyn Park.
Thursday, July 25 will be Counties Day where organizers have described as a day to come get a “Taste of Liberia” with traditional Liberian dishes on sale. Funds raised will go to the respective county organization.
Tickets for the July 26 Independence Day Ball can be purchased by calling the OLM office or at the door.
The celebrations will conclude over the weekend with a Field/Sports Day on Saturday, July 27 and a Thanksgiving Concert at Ebenezer Community Church on Sunday, July 27 at 5pm. Details for the sports day had not yet been announced as this edition of Mshale went to press.
OLM executive director Kamaty Diahn said in a statement that Gov. Walz of Minnesota has issued a proclamation that July 26 will be “Liberian Heritage Day.”
Founded in 1973, OLM is a nonprofit that provides Liberian immigrants and refugees with social support services including immigration, health, housing, employment, and educational aid.
OLM has not announced whether there will be any dignitaries visiting from Liberia but the Independence Day celebration is known to attract surprise guests. Celebrations three years ago were graced by the presence of the chairman of the then ruling party in Liberia, Mulbah Morlu, who gave the keynote address and kickstarted the capital campaign for the community center that now hosts many of OLM’s activities.
Rep. Mohamud Noor who represents District 60B in the Minnesota House of Representatives will be among the speakers at this year’s Ball, according to Mr. Diahn.
The line up of events are as follows:
Community Appreciation BBQ – Wednesday, July 24 @ 3pm-9pm.
Address: Liberian Community Center – 7001 78th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Counties Day – Thursday, July 25 @ 3pm-8pm
Address: Liberian Community Center – 7001 78th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Independence Day Dinner and Ball – Friday, July 26 @ 5pm-1am
Address: Mounds View Community Center – 5394 Edgewood Dr, Mounds View, MN 55112
Thanksgiving Prayer & Concert – Sunday, July 28 @ 5pm-7pm.
Address: Ebenezer Community Church – 7001 78th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Tickets for the Independence Day Dinner and Ball can be purchased at the OLM office located within the Liberian Community Center at 7001 78th Ave N in Brooklyn Park or by calling the office at 763-270-5894. Waterside African Market also has tickets at their store located at 7500 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
More info at the OLM website.
Author
About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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