The sounds of Afrobeat, and in particular songs by Skrewfaze and Deetweh, pulsated along Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, as the Liberian Independence Day Parade made its way from the Brookdale Library headed to Bass Lake Road before looping around to conclude at Centennial Park for daylong festivities.

The parade started with hundreds of Liberian Americans waving the Liberian flag, dancing and singing to Skrewfaze’s “Liberia Independence Day” as they marched through the usually busy thoroughfare that was closed off for the day, with music blaring from pickup trucks that led the parade.

By the time the parade reached Centennial Park the number of revelers had grown to a few thousand as some who could not make it to the parade arrived at the site of the day’s celebrations.

Liberian youth were a strong presence in the first ever Liberian Independence Day Parade in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025 to mark the country’s 178 years if independence. Mshale Staff Photo by Richard Ooga

At the park the celebration intensified, as ground-vibrating music blared from loud speakers placed at the pavilion. “We finally get to have our own parade to celebrate like other large immigrant communities,” said Fatu Konneh, who lives in Brooklyn Center and had come to represent The Bazemnt Lounge, a downtown Minneapolis club popular with trendy Africans.

After riding on the Bazemnt Lounge float in the parade, Ms. Konneh positioned herself at the front row of the pavilion and enthusiastically waved the Liberian flag while dancing amongst the large crowd; she was dressed appropriately for the weather, in shorts and white t-shirt emblazoned with the Liberian flag. “This is precious,” she said. “We have been acknowledged by the state.”

Ms. Marie Dweh, co-founder of We Are Liberian, the nonprofit that organized the parade said in media interviews leading to the event that it was the first time such a parade was being held in the nation. With a Minnesota population of between 20,000-35,000, according to Minnesota Compass, Dweh said now is the time because “What better time than now to come together and just showcase our culture?” The city where the parade took place elected its first Black mayor in 2018 and he happened to be Liberian-born.

Fatu Konneh waves the Liberian flag at Centennial Park after the conclusion of the first ever Liberian Independence Day Parade in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa

Minnesota has the largest number of Liberians in the nation and they are among the ‘Big Five’ of African immigrant populations in Minnesota that include Somalis, Ethiopians, Kenyans and Nigerians.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was the most high-ranking state official at the historic event and presented the Governor’s proclamation reaffirming July 26 as Liberia Independence Day.

Flanagan who is a candidate in the 2026 open seat for U.S. Senator told the crowd to be proud of their Liberian heritage, eliciting wild cheers.

 

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Speaking without a written notes before reading Gov. Walz’s proclamation, Flanagan told the crowd “I want you to remember where you come from in this moment, when there are people who are trying to divide us,” adding “I want you to be very clear that resilience is in our bones, that our ancestors and leaders have dreamed us into this moment, and you will carry on and live those big bold dreams for your people and community.”

For many that showed up Saturday, the parade and festivities represented a celebration of Liberian culture, and most importantly a reminder of life in Liberia.

Waddie Kolenky Clemens and her husband Ce-Amavie take shelter from the sun at Centennial Park in Brooklyn Center during celebrations to mark 178 years of Liberian Independence on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa

Waddie Kolenky Clemens and her husband Ce-Amavie drove from their home in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Anthony to partake in the festivities.  As they took shelter from the hot sun under a tree, hours after the parade, they told Mshale they had a “great time” marching, and that it was a long time coming given the years Liberians have been part of life in Minnesota.

“We came out as Liberians to support our community as we do something brand new, I can’t wait to see what they would do next year” Waddie said. “The energy is very good and it reminded me of being back home, although we usually don’t have the floats.”

Chef Stephen and his son Isaiah had long lines at their Good Vibes African Cuisine stand at Centennial Park in Brooklyn Center during celebrations to mark 178 years of Liberian Independence on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa

Food vendors had a good day going by the long lines at their stands. Food choices ranged from Liberian cuisine and other African countries but also included a Jamaican food stand.

One of the food vendors was Good Vibes African Cuisine whose owner, Chef Stephen, was all smiles as he grilled chicken with his son Isaiah as a long line of buyers formed.

Marvel Maxwell and her dog Simba leave Centennial Park after celebrating with fellow Liberians to mark Liberia’s 178 years of independence Saturday, July 26, 2025. Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa

“Can’t ask for anything better than this, it’s a good crowd, one of the best I have done” he said as he shuffled between the grill and the supply boxes.

The parade was by far the event that drew the most Liberians in weekend long activities organized to celebrate the country’s independence due to its cross generational appeal. Everyone – from little babies wearing earmuffs to protect their hearing to grandparents with strollers were represented. Some revelers brought their dogs including Marvel Maxwell of Brooklyn Park whom we caught up with as she left the event. She said her dog Simba “enjoyed the event even with the hot weather.”

“The event was awesome; I saw peace and I saw Liberians at their best” she said.

Other weekend events to celebrate the 178th Independence Day  included sports, concerts at various venues and an Independence Day Ball in Brooklyn Park hosted by the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM).

Erickson Saye who is vying for the vacant Minnesota House District 34B donned his campaign t-shirt as he participated in the first ever Liberian Independence Day Parade in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, July 26, 025. Mshale Staff Photo by Richard Ooga

Minnesota House District 34B candidate Erickson Saye who is on the ballot in next month’s special primary election to replace the late Melissa Hortman, took part in the parade and a short while later posted on social media that he was a proud Liberian “born and raised,” and was proud of the strength, culture and unity Liberians have brought to their adopted state. Virtually the entire southern border of District 34B lines up to District 38B where the parade took place.

Police direct traffic as part of Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center starting at the I-94/694 overpass was closed to vehicles on Saturday, July 26, 2025 for the first ever Liberian Independence Day Parade and celebration that followed at the nearby Centennial Park. Liberia turned 178 years on Saturday. Mshale Staff Photo by Tom Gitaa

“But even with our size and impact, we still lack representation at our State Capitol,” he said. “That’s why so many in our community encouraged me to run for the Minnesota House. We can no longer stand by and ask, “Why not us?”—it’s time for us to step up and be the change we want to see in the world.”

Author

  • Tom Gitaa

    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.

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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