Miss Sierra Leone USA Leads Health and Wellness Workshop At 2014 AIRF Youth ArtBeat Summer Program

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been very busy but happy, thanks be to God! This summer has been full of adventures for me, and I have been loving every minute of it. It has been such an adventure that I'm actually behind on blogging, but I'll be doing catch-up in the upcoming days to let all of you know what I've been doing. A couple days ago, I led a Health and Wellness workshop for students in the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation's (AIRF) 2014 Youth ArtBeat Summer Week program.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with AIRF 2014 Youth ArtBeat Summer Week Program students

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson leading a Health and Wellness workshop

This Summer Week group involved students in Elementary, Middle, and High School. I had so much fun with the kids, and it is always a pleasure serving AIRF, and recollecting on the days I was in the Catching Up Program back in High School. Our conversation involved health, fitness, hygiene, and the importance of positive and healthy image.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson leading Health and Wellness workshop

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson leading Health and Wellness workshop

Most of the students in the Summer Program I had the opportunity to meet a couple months ago at the AIRF 2014 Youth Awards. As you may know from my many past posts, I've spoken fondly of AIRF and as an alumnus of the Catching Up Program, it is always a pleasure to give back to the current students.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson leading Health and Wellness workshop

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with AIRF 2014 Youth ArtBeat Summer Week Program students

When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

T-shirt: When You Believe Foundation, Inc.

There's nothing more important than our good health - that's our principal capital asset. - Arlen Specter

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

REMINDER

Come out tomorrow (Saturday, August 16th) and watch me and the amazing cast in our live stage performance in the classic Sierra Leonean play, Cry of the Country Virgin.

CRY OF THE COUNTRY VIRGIN

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Miss Sierra Leone USA Attends 2014 Sierra Leone Progressive Union's Independence Day Picnic

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fabulous, thanks be to God! On July 4th, I attended the Sierra Leone Progressive Union's (SLPU) annual picnic in commemoration of our nation's Independence Day in Virginia. This was my second time attending this picnic, I was a special guest there last year. It was a lovely event getting to see familiar faces, and meeting wonderful new folks. Being a picnic, the food was delicious and I took home a lovely spread of take-out. Thanks to all that blessed me with the food! Overall, I had a phenomenal time on such a beautiful day.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and little Miss Soraya (daughter of Actor/Comedian Foday Kargbo)

Mr. David Vandy (Voice of America anchor and Director) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and some cast mates of 'Cry of the Country Virgin'

On August 16, 2014, I will be starring in the classic Sierra Leonean play Cry of the Country Virgin as Matorma, the lead character. At this event, an excerpt was scheduled to be performed to show a preview of our stage play; so a good amount of the cast was present. I'll be blogging more details about tickets and more information in an upcoming post. Don't miss this masterpiece African experience next month! Below is the flier for the play.

Cry of the Country Virgin
August 16, 2014 at 6:30 pm
4101 Fairfax Parkway, Alexandria, Virginia 22312

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Musician/Dancer Ahmed Janka Nabay (King of Bubu Music)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Mr. Joseph Umarr Deen-Koroma (All People's Congress Youth Wing Leader in the US)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Mr. Foday Kargbo (Actor/Comedian)

My "Showbiz Dad"
Mr. David Buakei Vandy and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Little Miss Soraya and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Special Remarks:

HAPPY 238th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!

Happy Independence Day to these United States of America. Special thanks to all the women and men that serve our country in and out of uniform. Our nation may not be perfect, but I know we have come a very long way and the best is yet to come. Hardworking citizens of this nation, whether born here or naturalized, built it. I am grateful for the sacrifices made for me to live in this country by my mother, and all the historical figures in the civil rights movement and women's movement, etc. I wear my Miss Sierra Leone USA sash proudly always because I know represent a phenomenal diaspora in a great nation. I am proud to be an American. I am a proud Sierra Leonean American. May God continue to bless the USA.

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

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Miss Sierra Leone USA Attends 2014 Launch of Just Stand, Inc.

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. Over the past month I've been occupied with my studies, and also the Maryland Primary Election. I worked during the early voting sessions, and served for the first time as a Chief Elections Judge on election day. I'm thankful to God for my performance, and it's always a pleasure to perform my civic duty as an American and serve my great state of Maryland. As a result of my busy professional and academic life, I'm a bit behind on blogging; I'm also starring in an upcoming classic Sierra Leonean play this August, and I'll share details in future blogs in case you didn't see it on my Facebook page. With all this going on, I'm doing my best to catch up on my blogging about my recent appearances/events. Now let's fast forward... last Saturday, I attended the launching of Just Stand, Inc. and served as one of the speakers.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Just Stand, Inc. is a new non-profit organization that works to stop the cycle of sexual and domestic violence in the African Diaspora in the District of Columbia Metropolitan area, primarily Sierra Leonean. The motto of Just Stand is "Stand and Stop the Cycle of Sexual and Domestic Violence." According to Miatta, "Our vision is parallel to our mission in life, which is to empower young girls to be the peculiar beings God has created them to be" and their mission is "...to raise up an army of virtuous women and girls who do not walk in fear, but power and courage." According to members of Just Stand, the purpose of this organization is to raise funds and create awareness for victims/survivors of sexual and domestic violence in the African and Washington Metropolitan Diaspora.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Miatta Mamie Sandy (Founder/CEO of Just Stand, Inc.)

In the photo above, I am pictured with Miss Miatta Mamie Sandy, Founder/CEO of Just Stand, Inc. A dynamic young lady, Miatta decided to literally take a stand against sexual and domestic violence in the community, specifically among the Sierra Leonean diaspora, and created this organization. In addition to being the CEO of Just Stand, Miatta is the reigning Miss Sierra Leone Maryland 2014 and finalist in the upcoming Miss Sierra Leone USA 2014 pageant.

Miss FA Cole (advocate and author) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

At the event, I spoke about the importance of Miatta's cause in the community and women's empowerment. I talked about my platforms of advocating for SHERO and women in STEM as Miss Sierra Leone USA. In addition, Miatta asked me to talk about the work of When You Believe Foundation, Inc. (my baby!!!), so I talked about WYBF's mission in promoting self sufficiency and enhancing the lifestyle of girls and women in all communities. In addition to Miatta sharing her personal story, other guest speakers shared powerful and inspiring stories. One of the guest speakers was Miss FA Cole, a powerful woman of God and multiple forms of abuse survivor. She is a motivational speaker and the author of "Distant Sunrise – The Strength in her Pain to Forgive." Over the past couple months while working on our upcoming stage play, I've gotten to know and admire Miss Cole and her endeavors in empowering women and speaking up for the silent.

Queen Afi Gaston, Miss Miatta M. Sandy, Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Another phenomenal woman that served as a speaker was Queen Afi Gaston. Queen Afi is the Founder/CEO of Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags, an organization that caters to women, men, and teens that victims and abusers of domestic violence. I've known Queen Afi for more than three years and collaborated with her several times with her and her organization for my organization, When You Believe Foundation, Inc. She is not only a wonderful and passionate woman, but is a big sister to me and has taught me so much.

Left-Right:
Queen Afi Gaston (Founder/CEO of Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags), Miss Miatta M. Sandy (Founder/CEO of Just Stand, Inc.), and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson (Founder/CEO of When You Believe Foundation, Inc.)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson, Miss FA Cole, Miss Miatta M. Sandy, and Miss Nefertiti Brown (spoken-word artist)

In addition to the speakers and Miatta's keynote speech, there was a spoken-word performance by Miss Nefertiti Brown, dance performance by Miss Jessim, and praise dance by young girls choreographed by Miatta from her Church. It was also lovely to see how supportive Miatta's Church family is of her and her efforts. That's a blessing to have. The refreshment given out at the event was also very delicious.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Sierra Leone Maryland 2014 Miatta Mamie Sandy (CEO of Just Stand, Inc.)

I wish Miatta and her Just Stand, Inc. team all the best. She has taken up a big and relevant cause, and I wish her God's many blessings in her endeavors. Overall, this was an empowering and enlightening event, and I'm happy to have been part of the birth of Miatta's baby.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. Right from the start. go ahead and stand up for what you believe in. As I've learned, that's the path to happiness. - Lesley Ann Warren

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

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Miss Sierra Leone USA Attends 2014 African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation's Youth Awards

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been very busy academically and professionally lately, but happy. A couple Fridays ago, I attended African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation's (AIRF) 13th Annual Youth Awards Ceremony. I shared my personal story as a former student, and the impact AIRF's Catching Up Program (CUP) had on me during and post-high school. Also, I presented awards to recipients of the Cultural Heritage Award and Academic Excellence Award. Being an alumnus, an event like this is close to my heart and personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA of SHERO, specifically advocating for service and education.

Dr. Wanjiru "Mama" Kamau (Founder of African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

In the photo above, I am seen affectionately hugging Dr. Wanjiru Kamau, who we loving call Mama Kamau. Mama Kamau is the Founder of the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation, and has been a mother to all of us in the AIRF-CUP. She is one of my role models and forever mentor. If you will like to know about my personal story regarding AIRF and more information about this wonderful organization and their programs, read the post I wrote few months ago when I hosted their 2013 End-of-Year Youth Conference.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Along with my invitation as an AIRF-CUP alumnus, I was asked to speak about what AIRF meant to me when I was in High School and how it affected me after I graduated from high school years ago. At the event, I shared my personal story as a former student and the impact AIRF's Catching Up Program (CUP) had on me during and post-high school. I spoke about the importance of service and mentoring, and how AIRF is an organization that truly justifies these two things. I spoke about how each member of AIRF assisted me in a variety of ways, especially Miss Bertha Hyera (former AIRF-CUP youth coordinator) and Mama Kamau. In addition to my personal story and advice for the students, three other alumni and my friends spoke about their experiences and gave remarkable advice.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

In addition to my speech, I was asked to present awards to recipients of the Cultural Heritage Award and Academic Excellence Award in the AIRF Catching Up program. Recipients were girls and boys in Elementary, Middle, and High School.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Ms. Sohna Oulare (AIRF-CUP student and Miss Guinee North America 2013 finalist)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Cultural Heritage Award

The Cultural Heritage Award went "to students who carry with them an obvious pride for their cultural heritage. Whether they are entering pageants to be the youth representative of their country of origin, writing poems to educate others about their country, have learned to read, write and speak in their language, can remember and name more African countries then their peers on any given day, or speak proudly of their heritage, lineage or countries’ foods, these children have all shown what it means to be proud of one’s culture."

Adorable Moment of the Night!
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson receives a hug from Cultural Heritage Award recipient

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Cultural Heritage Award recipient

In the last two photos, I am pictured with the youngest winner of the Cultural Heritage Award, and second youngest winner of the night overall. I also had the pleasure of sitting on the same table with him and his mother. He is very deserving of this award; such a smart and sweet boy!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and attendees

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and attendees

Below are photos of some of me presenting the Academic Excellence Award to the many recipients. This Award was given to "students who have a GPA of 3.0 and above." Congratulations again to these remarkable and smart students!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Academic Excellence Award

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Academic Excellence Award

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Academic Excellence Award to Miss Berkit

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Academic Excellence Award

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson presenting the Academic Excellence Award

After all the music, dance performances, documentary viewing, speeches, Award presentations, and delicious dining, we had the opportunity to mix and mingle with students, parents, mentors, and AIRF Board members. Overall, I had an amazing evening with good company, good food, and many laughs. It's always a pleasure seeing familiar faces and getting to know new people.

Left-Right:
Ms. Asteria Hyera (AIRF-CUP Youth Coordinator), Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson, and Ms. Gathoni Kamau (daughter of AIRF Founder, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau)

Sierra Leonean Sisters
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Haja Kalokoh (beautiful singer, AIRF-CUP student, and current student at my high school Alma Mater)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and event keynote speaker Ms. Rahama Wright (President/CEO of Shea Yeleen)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Pamela (AIRF-CUP student)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Mr. Freddy Possian (friend since High School days)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Miss Adja Koite of Her Right To Literacy (friend since High School days)

Mama Kamau and Her Legacy
Ms. Asteria Hyera, Mr. Freddy Possian, Mama Kamau, Miss Adja Koite, and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Below is a photo I took with members of Parkwood All-Stars dance group. They're a group of talented, beautiful, and smart girls in the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation's Catching Up Program, and currently in Middle School. After taking this group photo with them, they all wanted to wear my crown. So I decided to crown all of them and other girls at the event, one at a time, a 'Miss' of their various countries of origin.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and Parkwood All-Stars dance group

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Ethiopia

There she is... Miss Ethiopia 2014 (unofficial) while she does her queenly wave. As you can see in the photo above, Miss Berkit is truly an African Queen!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Liberia

There she is... Miss Liberia 2014 (unofficial). As you can see the beautiful smile in the photo above, Miss Sandra is truly an African Queen!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Ethiopia

There she is... Miss Ethiopia 2014 (unofficial). As you can see the beautiful smile in the photo above, she's truly an African Queen!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Liberia

There she is... Miss Liberia 2014 (unofficial). As you can see the beautiful smile in the photo above, she's truly an African Queen!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Ethiopia

There she is... Miss Ethiopia 2014 (unofficial). As you can see the beautiful smile in the photo, she's truly an African Queen! Last but not least, there she is... Miss Guinea 2014 (unofficial). As you can see the beautiful bright smile in the photo below, she's truly an African Queen!

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson crowning a princess from Guinea

That's what being young is all about. You have the courage and the daring to think that you can make a difference. You're not prone to measure your energies in time. You're not likely to live by equations. - Actress and Civil Rights Actress Ms. Ruby Dee

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

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Photo credit:
African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation