Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D Recipient of Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education

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1 When Chicken White; It White : At B.W. Harris Honoring Program Dr. Gbaba Prays for Liberian Nation and People and Urges Liberians to Appreciate Their Own Introduction Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D Recipient of Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education There is a common saying in Liberia that states: When chicken white, it white! Or, if you like, you may as well say: Good player can t fight for jersey! Yes, this appeared to be the theme that ran throughout the celebration when the B.W. Harris Tri- State Alumni Association Chapter of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut honored me in Staten Island, New York. The event took place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Family Life Center on 59 Wright Street in Staten Island. The honoring ceremony brought together more than eight hundred people from all walks of life and nationalities and professional backgrounds; and the entire evening was full of pomp and pageantry, coupled with dining and winning to some of the most delicious Liberian dishes and best wines New York could offer. In addition, the occasion was a fashion fair, with glamorous ladies dressed in African and Western attires, while the men killed the MO with tuxedos, and business suits. There was a gentleman who wore an African gown and he stood out among the crowd; and, didn t that brother knock himself out on the dance floor! Yes, he did!

The Grandeur of the Occasion: The Event Was Well Attended! A cross-section of distinguished honorees at the event. Check the Chavay pekin out. He s really into this Liberian thing oh!

Imagine if Liberians did this more regularly among themselves what a beautiful and peaceful post-war Liberia we would all have to call our home.

2 The Grandeur of the Occasion: The Event Was Well Attended! A cross-section of distinguished honorees at the event. Check the Chavay pekin out. He s really into this Liberian thing oh! Praise God for Chavays yah! Distinguished personalities from various parts of the globe came to pay their respect and to share an evening of love and appreciation for one another. Imagine if Liberians did this more regularly among themselves what a beautiful and peaceful post-war Liberia we would all have to call our home. Fear Ma Judy Bernard s head gear that is made in the form of a golden hair plot and her colorful red and gold tiedye dress! She will wait for you! I love the blond of the Caucasian lady s hair and the hair style of the lady left of her who is wearing what appears to be a stripped cream and green tie-dye African dress with a nice light brown or gold color top gear. As a whole, the honoring ceremony was grand. It had flavor, class, and lots of fun fares as you may observe from the photographs of those who attended. The fashion was

not geasy as the ordinary Liberian man puts it; and it was equal, no parting! The occasion began at half past eight post meridian and lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

, and Charles Cooper alias Christopher Gwion, and two of my children (Jolynn and Julian Gbaba)). Everyone rose on his or her feet to pay homage to B.W.

3 not geasy as the ordinary Liberian man puts it; and it was equal, no parting! The occasion began at half past eight post meridian and lasted until the wee hours of the morning. It was attended and witnessed by distinguished Liberians and international personalities from various parts of the globe, including my family and friends (Mrs. Ann Cooper-Wilson, Cyrus Cooper, Jr., and Charles Cooper alias Christopher Gwion, and two of my children (Jolynn and Julian Gbaba)). Everyone rose on his or her feet to pay homage to B.W. Harris Episcopal High School in the hall and sang the B.W. Harris School Ode. Liberia s young fashion icon Baby Sam Massaquoi, Jr. Pekin killed the formay with faded jeans pants, a soft cotton white shirt and a nasty black blazer/jacket to keep the women on their toes!

Gbaba during the ceremony. Dr. Gbaba poses with Midwest Chapter President Stephen K. Taylor after presentation of the Bishop George D.

4 Honoring Those Who Give Back to their Communities: Presentation of Awards B.W. Harris Alumnus Stephen A. Taylor (Midwest Chapter President) presents Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award to Dr. Gbaba during the ceremony. Dr. Gbaba poses with Midwest Chapter President Stephen K. Taylor after presentation of the Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education. It was an evening of positive thinking and inspiration for all Liberians and those who attended the occasion. The occasion had a purpose and a sense of direction.

Honorable Hendel K.C. Diggs, National President Emeritus presents Bishop George D. Browne Lifetime Achievement Award to Honorable Mohamedu Jones.

More than eleven personalities and the Cape Mount County Association in the Americas received awards in various categories including but not limited to: tribute to Liberian

5 Honorable Hendel K.C. Diggs, National President Emeritus presents Bishop George D. Browne Lifetime Achievement Award to Honorable Mohamedu Jones. One fascinating aspect of the program was its diverse nature. More than eleven personalities and the Cape Mount County Association in the Americas received awards in various categories including but not limited to: tribute to Liberian mothers, community service, radio personality, law, entrepreneurship, performing arts, leadership, education, and lifetime achievement, to name a few. Rabbi. Gbaba sitting at table with Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, the Manjah himself, Counselor Mohamedu Jones during the B.W. Harris honoring ceremony in Staten Island, New York.

Rose Browne received the award for Mothers, while community service was snatched by Checago Bright-Sawo, Gbomai Bestman-Johnson and the Cape Mount Association in the Americas.

of the Catholic Migration Office in Brooklyn and Queens received the award in law and the Hendel K.C. Diggs Leadership Award was presented to Tarlow Lydia Jallah-Miller.

6 Rose Browne received the award for Mothers, while community service was snatched by Checago Bright-Sawo, Gbomai Bestman-Johnson and the Cape Mount Association in the Americas. I captured the education award and radio personality went to Ciata Diggs of New Liberia FM. Mr. Robert McCreanor, Esq. of the Catholic Migration Office in Brooklyn and Queens received the award in law and the Hendel K.C. Diggs Leadership Award was presented to Tarlow Lydia Jallah-Miller. Lifetime Achievement Award went to Counselor Mohamedu Jones for his outstanding contribution to his Alma Mater. Joseph Hugoy Scott and Terrance K. Brown took the award in entrepreneurship and Eddie-Mae Abu-Smail went home with the award in the performing arts. Prince Gbaba shares his Bishop George Browne Achievement Award with wife Princess Ariminta Gbaba at the honoring ceremony. A photo of some of the honorees during the B.W. Harris Honoring Program. In my entire life, I have not seen Liberians gather in huge crowds to honor those who give back to their communities. Thus, the B.W. Harris program was a unique

7 occasion that will go down in Liberian history because there was a positive change and attitude in the behavior of the organizers. They put service and love for one s country, fellow countrymen and women first; and this brought out the patriotic spirit of the occasion as Liberians and foreign nationals showed appreciation to those who have made significant contributions to the Liberian people in their respective professional fields. Against this backdrop, my family and I would like to first give Yaweh the praise and then thank members of the B.W. Harris Alumni Association and all Liberians, Africans, Caucasians, and friends who attended the honoring ceremony in order to make it a booming success! B.W. Harris High School Is a Pacesetter for National Peace and Reconciliation in Post-War Liberia! In view of the foregoing, it is safe to say B.W. Harris High School is a pacesetter in post-war Liberia. Further, it is my opinion that what B.W. Harris has done is to set the pace for national peace and reconciliation so that all Liberians may understand and follow her illustrious path: (1) to teach Liberians a good lesson about patriotism (love for country and fellow countrymen and women); (2) to teach Liberians to respect the rule of law; (3) to teach Liberians how to love and appreciate the contributions of fellow Liberians who are making a difference in the lives of all Liberians and the international community; and (4) to say Thank you to those who make immense sacrifices in order to give back to their communities by serving the needs of the under privileged of society. Consequently, I urge all Liberians to do away with petty jealousies and hatred and join the B.W. Harris family, and myself in promoting national peace, cultural diversity and tolerance in post-conflict Liberia. A great evening of socialization among Liberians and friends of Liberia. Above Mickey Roberts (center in colorful African attire) is chatting with a friend while Ciata Diggs presents her usual loving smile for the camera.

The Gbabas Call for National Peace and Reconciliation: We Want Peace, No More War! Dr. and Mrs. Gbaba celebrating the receipt of the prestigious Bishop D.

8 The Gbabas Call for National Peace and Reconciliation: We Want Peace, No More War! Dr. and Mrs. Gbaba celebrating the receipt of the prestigious Bishop D. Browne Achievement Award in Education National peace and reconciliation is a must in post-conflict Liberian society and we all must work together to rebuild our war-torn country. This is not impossible because if my wife who is Americo-Liberian and I from the traditional/indigenous stalk can live in peace and harmony for about twenty-nine years, I am very sure all Liberians can learn to follow our example and the good examples of other Liberians who intermarried ethnically. This may help to promote peace and unity among Liberians. Further, this may also empower us to resolve our misunderstandings not through the barrels of guns but through dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution and by building strong family bonds.

Rabbi Prince Joseph & Princess Ariminta Gbaba at B.W. Harris honoring program at Family Life Center in Staten Island, New York. Pekin chilling with darling wife and Aunty Ann Cooper-Wilson at the B.W. Harris honoring ceremony at the Family Center in Staten Island, New York.

9 Rabbi Prince Joseph & Princess Ariminta Gbaba at B.W. Harris honoring program at Family Life Center in Staten Island, New York. Pekin chilling with darling wife and Aunty Ann Cooper-Wilson at the B.W. Harris honoring ceremony at the Family Center in Staten Island, New York. I am blessed to have very beautiful and devoted women in my life, including my late mother, my wife and Aunty Ann. Praise God for that! And, Happy Mother s and Grandmothers Day to all Liberian women, mothers, grandmothers. May we multiply and prosper in whatever we do. Amen.

10 Thank You B.W. Harris: You Made the Devil Shame! From this picture you can see a family of love, peace, and respect and success and a variety of fashions of all kinds: African, Caucasian, oriental, etc. Liberians are a civilized and culturally diverse people that are very peaceful and friendly. Also, Liberian women rank top among the most beautiful Black women in the world. Happy Mother s Day to all ladies on this photo and Happy Father s Day in advance to all the dudes in the photo! Please permit me at this juncture to say: Thank you, B.W. Harris and to say in the Liberian fashion: You made the devil shame! Thank you for your respect and love and appreciation. For I have always advocated the fact that If your own house does not sell you, outsiders will not buy you. Thanks, B.W. Harris, Episcopal Church, all relatives and friends, for selling me, for selling my talents and potentials to my people, the international community, and the entire universe. Someday, I hope to serve you in a greater capacity from which many more Liberians and the entire universe will benefit. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Note: Please stay tuned for Part Two soon! Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D Recipient of Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education May 11, 2012

The Wisdom of My Father Has Brought Me a Long Way: Thank You, Pa!

The Wisdom of My Father Has Brought Me a Long Way: Thank You, Pa! Prince Jack Tomoonh Yeleyon Gbaba Descendant of Yarlee-Gbenh Founder of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County & great descendant of King Boduo of