“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

Rabbi Prince Joseph Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, Sr., Ed. D.

2012 Recipient of Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education

Introduction

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! 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 tie-

dye 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. 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!

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.

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. 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

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. 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. 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.

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.

2012 Recipient of Bishop George D. Browne Achievement Award in Education

May 11, 2012