Hello world!!!
I hope you and yours are doing well. I have been very busy but happy, thanks be to God! As a result of my busy schedule lately I am a couple of blog posts late, but I'm catching up now. On August 4th, I attended African Leadership Magazine's
Africa-US Private Sector Forum 2014, one of the events held in commemoration of the inaugural Africa-U.S. Summit 2014. This event was held at The National Press Club in our nation's capital, District of Columbia. Special thanks to the
Sierra Leonean Empowerment Network (SLEN) for providing me with the opportunity to connect with the Miss Africa Foundation and being a part of this event.
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When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014
Ruby B. Johnson |
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When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014
Ruby B. Johnson |
The theme of this Forum was "Partnership For Increased Technical and Financial Investment Into Africa." Speakers include: His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Business Owner and former Republican Presidential nominee Herman Cain, Civil Rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many more.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson along with His Excellency President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete handing out awards |
Attending this event was a learning experience, and I have never been in such a summit talking about issues relating to my continent of birth (Africa) and adopted home (United States). I had the honor of escorting the president of the United Republic of Tanzania His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete to his seat, as well as handing out an award for the special induction into the African Leadership Hall of Fame.
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson (in green afrikana) |
"President Obama welcomed leaders from across the African continent to the nation’s capital for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the first such event of its kind. The Summit, the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government, built on the President’s trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and aimed to strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing regions. Specifically, the August 4-6 Summit advanced the Administration’s focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlighted America’s commitment to Africa’s security, its democratic development, and its people. At the same time, it highlighted the depth and breadth of the United States’ commitment to the African continent, advanced our shared priorities, and enabled discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership." (White House, 2014)
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Sierra Leonean Queens:
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson, Miss Heritage Sierra Leone 2013-2014 Ramzain Suma, and Miss Samira. |
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Sierra Leone's Representatives:
Businessman and philanthropist Dr. Adonis Abboud and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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| Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
At the event, I met Mpule Kwelagobe. Escorting the President of Tanzania to his seat was an honor for me, as well as seeing many African leaders but meeting this woman was extra special for me. Hailing from Botswana, Mpule represented her nation at Miss World 1997 and went to become Miss Universe 1999 from Botswana, and the first woman from Africa and of African ancestry to win the Miss Universe title. She is one of my pageant role models and my goodness she is so sweet in person (she gave me multiple hugs). During and after her reign, Mpule has been recognized and honored as a human health rights activist, especially for her fight against HIV/AIDS and advocacy for youth and women to have greater access to sexual reproductive education and services.
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| Activist and Miss Universe 1999 Mpule Kwelagobe and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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Mano River Queens: Sierra Leone and Guinea
Miss Guinee North America 2013-2014 Fatoumata Diabate and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
"At its core, the Summit was about fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa. The theme of the Summit was "Investing in the Next Generation." Focusing on the next generation is at the core of a government’s responsibility and work, and this Summit provided an opportunity to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generation." (White House, 2014)
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Beauties With A Purpose:
Miss Guinea North America 2013-2014 Fatoumata Diabate and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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| Civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
One of the best parts of that day was seeing Africans take over Washington, DC with their outfits and just by being, because of the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leadership Summit that week. I got to bond with folks at the summit, on the streets, and in the train. Because of this special occasion, I got to make new friends from Rwanda, Congo, Zambia, Namibia, etc. UNITED AFRICANS!
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| Founder/CEO of When You Believe Foundation, Inc. and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson |
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African and American Woman With A Purpose:
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 and When You Believe Foundation, Inc. Founder/CEO Ruby B. Johnson |
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses. - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.
Photo credit:
Life Depicted Productions
Follow me on Instagram
@MissSierraLeoneUSA
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| Sierra Leonean Empowerment Network (SLEN) Conference 2014 |
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