Miss Sierra Leone USA Attends 2013 SLPU Independence Day Picnic

Hello world!!!

Hope you and yours are doing well. I've been doing great, thanks to the Almighty! On America's Independence Day (July 4th), I attended the largest ‎Sierra Leone Picnic in Virginia. This event was organized by the Sierra Leone Progressive Union - USA; SLPU-USA is a national non-political, non-profit, and non-partisan Organization formed in May 1994, by a group of patriotic and hard working Sierra Leoneans residing in the United States. The picnic comprised of lots of: food and drinks; comedy performance by Pa Tayo of The Professionals; music performances by the Fulani Twins, Bizo Da Mayor, etc; giveaways; wonderful people; and many more. I loved seeing familiar faces, and meeting people I have interacted with on facebook. The MC of the event was Mr. David Buakei Vandy of Voice of America Television (VOA-TV).

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Mr. David B. Vandy (Actor and Producer,  VOA-TV Host)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with members of SLPU-USA

According to members of the Sierra Leone Progressive Union of USA (SLPU-USA), their mission is "to provide guidance, assistance and support to all our members, the Sierra Leone Community, Organizations, and individuals affiliated with the union [SLPU] in anyway whatsoever, within the union’s capability in time of crisis or other related matters." Their focus is to promote and maintain quality education, general welfare and co-operation among Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad! Besides getting to know more about the organization and its work, I was given an opportunity to also speak briefly about myself, my Sierra Leone Homecoming Trip, and my platforms as Miss Sierra Leone USA (Advocating for SHERO, Advocating for the recruitment and retention of girls/women in STEM fields).

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and member of SLPU-USA

Left-Right:
Mr. Mohamed Bangura (President of Koya Progressive Association),
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson, and
Dr. John Sandy (Chairman of Sierra Leone Arc of Hope)

Member of SLPU-USA Alex Akpan and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Left-Right:
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson,
Miss Faith (daughter of Author Fatima Muna Koroma), and
Fatima Muna Koroma (Poet and Author of Voices From A Silent Heart: Poems for Everyday Life)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with members of SLPU-USA

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with members of SLPU-USA

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson
Check out the Salone flag at the back!

Being that it was a picnic and 4th of July is also about food and drinks, there was a galore of all kinds of food, American and Sierra Leonean. For me, I had fried plantains, jollof rice, chicken and stew, fry fry, apple cider, and salad! Everything was delicious! Overall, I had a great time and it was a fantastic to celebrate my second home's Independence. I'm proud to be a Sierra Leonean American, and grateful for the opportunities this country has provided me. God bless America! God bless Sierra Leone!

Red. White. Blue.
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Like my Facebook Page & Follow me on Twitter (@MissSaloneUSA)

Photos by: 

David Buakei Vandy

Fatima Muna Koroma