A Legacy of Service, A Future of Possibilities.
The organization of Liberians in Minnesota was originally formed in 1973 under a different name. Prior to 1973, there were few Liberians students living in Minnesota. Because the population of Liberians in Minnesota was so small, consisting mainly of students who were busy with their studies, the desire to form an organization did not occur in people’s minds.
By 1973 the number of students and their spouses in Minnesota began to increase considerably. The Liberian community, realizing this growth, began discussions about forming an organization of Liberians. As a result of these discussions, the first organization of Liberians was formed and named “Organization of Liberian Nationals in Minnesota.” The first president of the organization was Mr. Patrick Flomo, an aviation student, who later moved out of Minnesota to pursue his studies in Florida.
In 1974 the organization had its second election. It was reported that this election was characterized by irregularities. The chairman of the election committee was accused of spinning the elections in favor of Mr. Roger Nah by pulling out votes that were cast in favor of Mr. Eddie Manly. After the elections, Roger Nah was named president over his rival Edie Manly, thus becoming the second president of the organization. As a result of these events, the Liberian community experienced its first split.
The organization of Liberians in Minnesota was originally formed in 1973 under a different name. Prior to 1973, there were few Liberians students living in Minnesota. Because the population of Liberians in Minnesota was so small, consisting mainly of students who were busy with their studies, the desire to form an organization did not occur in people’s minds.
By 1973 the number of students and their spouses in Minnesota began to increase considerably. The Liberian community, realizing this growth, began discussions about forming an organization of Liberians. As a result of these discussions, the first organization of Liberians was formed and named “Organization of Liberian Nationals in Minnesota.” The first president of the organization was Mr. Patrick Flomo, an aviation student, who later moved out of Minnesota to pursue his studies in Florida.
In 1974 the organization had its second election. It was reported that this election was characterized by irregularities. The chairman of the election committee was accused of spinning the elections in favor of Mr. Roger Nah by pulling out votes that were cast in favor of Mr. Eddie Manly. After the elections, Roger Nah was named president over his rival Edie Manly, thus becoming the second president of the organization. As a result of these events, the Liberian community experienced its first split.
OLM PRIORITIES In the early days of its existence, the organization’s priorities included the following:
Assisted bereaved families in transporting their deceased back to Liberia by collecting funds from the community.
Assisted with funeral expense and activities if the burial was held here in the States.
Established a burial fund account to make contribution in case of death to a community member.
Followed up on Liberian Community member’s Immigration issues if the leadership was informed and allowed to participate.
Help to find employment for new comers through a buddy system.
Prior to 1980. All Liberians moving into the twin cities were encouraged to attend some kind of training program or school.
PROGRESS
OLM became a chapter of the Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA) in the late seventies. Mr. Aron K. Paye first introduced the idea to this community at a meeting of the Liberian Student Association, long before OLM was formed. After his introduction of the idea and what the organization stood for, Mr. Lee K. Anderson, now pastor of Christ Universal Ministries Church opposed the idea of the Liberian Student Association joining ULAA. Mr. Anderson’s analysis and prediction of ULAA was that this organization goals and objectives were not compatible with the Liberian Student Association.
OLM was the first chapter of the ULAA to have two presidents elected in succession to lead ULAA. Each one left before his term ended to return to Liberia after the 1980 coup.
Two of OLM’s former president were sued to force a timely transfer of office documents and bank records. These cases did not materialize.
Currently, there are approximately twenty two thousand (22,000). Liberians in Minnesota. A significant percentage of this number has lived in the United States for a number of years. Many Liberians are US citizens, homeowners and professionals in several different fields. These individuals have and are continuing to make their contribution to the economic and educational structure of Minnesota.
The growing population of Liberians has redefined the role of OLM. Although the organization still maintains its initial objectives, it now has the challenge of organizing Liberians into a cohesive unit, providing information and assistance to meet their socioeconomic and educational needs and developing programs to make Liberians more productive.
PAST PRESIDENTS OF LIBERIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN MINNESOTA
Mr. Patrick Flomo
1972 – 1974 | OLM
Mr. Eddie G. Manly
1974 - 1976 | Liberian Student Association of Minnesota
Mr. Roger Nah
1978 - 1978 | OLM
Mr. Bennie Perkins
1978 – 1979 | Organization of Liberians in Minnesota
Mr. Aaron Paye
1979 – 1980 | OLM
Mr. James Doma
1980 – 1981 | OLM
Mr. George Garyu
1981 – 1982 | OLM
Mr. Joseph Ketter
1982 – 1983 | OLM
Mr. Bill Sannigular
1983 – 1985 | OLM
Mr. Phillip Jarbah
1985 – 1986 | OLM
Mr. Jefferson Leamah
1986 – 1989 |OLM
Mr. Cyril E. Murray
1989 – 1990 | OLM
Mr. Jefferson Bates
1990 – 1992 | OLM
Mr. J. Comfort Clarke
1992 – 1997 | OLM
Mr. Harris T. Meh
1997 – 2000 | OLM
Mr. George Wuo
2000 – 2004 | OLM
