Robert L. Johnson's Historic Business and Cultural Mission to Liberia Ends
Robert L. Johnson, chairman of the RLJ Companies and founder of Black Entertainment Television, departed Liberia today having led a 25 person delegation of prominent African Americans. The four-day business and cultural mission was the first of its kind to come to Liberia from the United States since 1980.
"The potential is unlimited," said Mr. Johnson, "and President Sirleaf's government is working hard to create an environment where business is welcome. The strongest impression we left with is the belief that Liberians have in their own future."
The impetus for this mission originated at the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2006. Mr. Johnson pledged to mobilize $30 million to support Liberia's private sector in response to President Sirleaf's call for greater engagement by the United States in the country's reconstruction effort.
On February 15 at the Liberia Partners Forum in Washington, D.C., Mr. Johnson announced the creation of the RLJ Liberia Enterprise Development Fund. This $30 million fund, designed to support small and medium business development, is a partnership of the RLJ Companies, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Africa Development Foundation and CHF International, a non-governmental organization based in Bethesda, Maryland.
Another reason for the business and cultural mission is to lay the groundwork for a permanent advocacy effort in the United States that will mobilize support from all African Americans for Liberia. Mr. Johnson stated, "I believe passionately that African Americans have a responsibility to support Liberia, much like Jewish Americans support Israel. Given the long historical relationship between our two countries, we have a special responsibility to do whatever we can to ensure that President Sirleaf succeeds in her effort to rebuild the country. There is a window of opportunity, and we have to be sure that the opportunity is realized."
During his visit to Liberia, Mr. Johnson received the nation's highest honor -- Knight Great Band of the Humane Order of African Redemption. He and the delegation visited various business and cultural sites in Monrovia and other counties.
Throughout the visit, Mr. Johnson stressed that this was only the first, of what will become a sustained effort, to mobilize resources for Liberia and to strengthened relationship between the two countries, particularly African Americans. He also emphasized that his efforts were intended to benefit all Liberians.
The delegation included Oscar winning actress Cicely Tyson; former Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater; scholar and educator Dr. Walter Leonard; Liberia's Ambassador to the United States Charles Minor; Apparel manufacturer Morris Goldfarb; Infrastructure Specialist and Managing Director, GoodWorks International Sam Smoots; Educator, senior executive with Notification Technologies former interim superintendent, District of Columbia Public Schools Dr. Elfreda Massie; senior executive at Parsons Brinckerhoff Brad Mims; Broadcaster, telecommunications specialist Karen Bell; Public policy specialist and President and CEO of Public Partnership Art Collins; retired as Acting Assistant Administrator for Africa for S. Agency for International Development Valerie Dickson-Horton; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, The RLJ Companies Lisa Pickrum; Associate, RLJ Equity Partners Corey Pickum; Adviser to RLJ Liberia and Africa Initiative Witney Schneidman; Africa Investment Specialist, RLJ Liberia and Africa Initiative RLJ Liberia and Africa Initiative Derek Saleeby; and BET News Andre Showell and Daryl Pendana.
