WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

The inaugural International Liberation Gala 2024 began with the procession of dignitaries, who marched to the rhythm of the African drum. Historically, in Africa the drum has been a means of communication, reporting the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, or a war between two tribes. The ceremony closed with a High Life celebration song from Ghana blasting as more than 70 couples snaked across the dance floor participating in the Grand March. Ralph Pearson from the education committee and his wife, Comfort Pearson, led the Grand March back and forth across the floor.  

The master and mistress of ceremonies for the occasion were Francis and Saya Sio, who came to the United States more than 25 years ago. They introduced the video presentation “Champions of Freedom.”

 “It is a great honor to serve with my husband of 25 years, my high school sweetheart. I am an immigrant who has benefitted from a scholarship to Catawba College 26 years ago.  I earned my master’s degree as a certified public accountant and project manager. Tonight we want to invest in a facility that will help further opportunities for future generations,” said Saya Sio.“ Tonight you are champions of freedom coming together for a cause that is bigger than us. A cause that will change the world.”

“We are humbled to be here. I came to this country 27 years ago for education. I work in corporate America. Wepay it forward tonight,” said Francis Sio. “Each of us can do our part. Our goal tonight is to raise seven million dollars. We have a silent auction, and a QR code available. You can give, and future generations can benefit.”

Rev. Dr. Nathan E. Scovens, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church,  blessed the food and offered a special prayer for the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont. “So many are in need of your guidance and help. We need life, liberty, justice, and freedom. Continue to smile on the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont. Bless their leadership as we are gathered tonight to celebrate freedom,” said Dr. Scovens.

Mayor J. Allen Joines shared a proclamation with the audience declaring that an acre of land will be provided for the student housing facility so that future generations of college students from Liberia will have a place to live and thrive as they secure education in America. Mayor Karen Alexander offered greetings from SalisburyN,C.

The entertainment for the evening included dancing and drumming from the Otesha Creative Arts Ensemble, Kenya Myles wowed the crowd when she sang “Circle of Life.” Carrie Everrett, Miss North Carolina, who is a voice major at North Carolina Central University, was in the house as well as Aliyah Copelin, Miss Juneteenth, a student at Mount Tabor High School.

“This is a time of celebration! The historical connections between Liberia and Winston-Salem underscore how deeply linked we are. As champions of freedom, we seek to secure the blessings of liberty around the globe.” said Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, the minister of education who delivered the keynote speech. “We must continue to work together. On behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, I say well done, thank you, and God bless you.”

Jallah explained how freed slaves from Winston-Salem were among the first to settle Liberia. The connection between Salem and Liberia dates back to 1836 when Dr. Frederick Henry Schumann orchestrated the return of his 17 freed slaves in addition to six others back to Liberia. This process was associated with the American Colonization Society program to restore free African Americans in Africa. Dr. Perkis from Livingstone College in Salisbury presented Dr. Jallah with a plaque for her representation.

Dr. James Y. Hunder, steering committee chairman, and Dr. Franklin Carver, education committee chairman,  presented Jallah with a special token of appreciation. In addition, Councilmember Annette Scippio received roses and a special award for serving as an advisor as the LOP planned their first gala. 

The theme for the evening was “Champions of Freedom.” More than 300 supporters gathered at the Benton Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 28, to honor the kindred relationship between Liberia, West Africa, and Winston-Salem..The flags of both countries are red, white, and blue. The national anthems,s “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “All Hail, Liberia, Hail,” celebrate the land in America and Liberia as a space for freedom. 

The president of the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont (LOP), Dr. Emmanuel Clarke, encouraged all people to donate toward the proposed international student housing project.

“We have made a good start toward our goal. We are still asking people to contribute to this great cause,” said Clarke. “We want to house students who are descendants of former slaves from 1836, who went to Liberia in 1836. Liberia is often called ‘Little America’

“The Housing Authority has given us one acre of land in Happy Hill at the intersection of Liberia Street and Free Street. We want to house 20 students, 10 males and 10 females, with a matron, a dining area, computer area, and study hall. Tonight we have come to ask for your support through fundraising for the construction of the Liberian Student Housing in the Historic Happy Hill of Winston Salem. As a backdrop, LOP, through its partnership with Livingstone College, has awarded students in Liberia full-ride scholarships to study at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. Also Forsyth Technical Community College has set aside scholarships for students in Liberia. Housing these students creates a need for the International Student Housing Facility,” said Clarke.  

Those who desire to donate toward  the student housing project can go to lopnc.org to contribute. 

The sponsors for the gala include the City of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College, W-S Chamber of Commerce, Wake Forest University, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.

The members of the steering committee included Dr. James Hunder, Councilmember Annette Scippio, Olu Browne, Dr. Franklin Carver, Martha Hartley, Clavenda Watson-Clarke, Dr. Emmanuel Clarke, Pamela Turner, Dr. Guila Cooper, Satta Sedi-Johnson, Kimberly Harrington, Lisa Houston, Ralph Pearson, Wante Clarke, Rev. Dr. George Banks, Lisa Simmonds, Anthony Simmonds, Sabrina Stowe, Brandy Hunder, and Terl Johnson. The Liberian Organization of the Piedmont was established in April of 1988.