ALJA's History of Struggle & Rebirth

The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is a 501c (3) non-profit media advocacy group based in the United States of America (USA). ALJA is currently headquartered on the East-coast of America, mainly in the State of Delaware (58N. Lunenburg Drive, New Castle, DE 19720). The Association is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. The Organization was founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. USA, by Isaac Bantu, Gabriel Williams, Patrick Manjoe, Bill Burke, Cyrus Badio, Kenneth Y. Best, Emmanuel Abalo, John Lloyd and others. 

OBJECTIVES

ALJA is dedicated to the attainment of three cardinal objectives:

1. Foster camaraderie amongst its members and their American counterparts;
2. Champion the cause of press freedom in Liberia through media advocacy, logistical support and training; and
3. Promote and foster the principle of good governance in Liberia through social justice advocacy.

INTERNAL TROUBLES

Despite the lofty ideas to which the Association subscribes, In 2004, ALJA crumbled due to internal differences amongst its members. After ten years of inactivity, a group of concerned ALJA members met via teleconferences and set into motion efforts for the Association’s revival. The group constituted an Interim Leadership headed by Mr. Moses D. Sandy as Acting Chairman. Mr. Volcano Shelton and Mr. Joe Mason were named ALJA Regional Coordinators for the East-coast and the Mid-west respectively while Journalist James Fasuequio was selected Acting Secretary General. The Interim Officers were mandated to kick-off the reactivation process; reach-out to Liberian journalists across the Americas for recruitment and begin structural development. However, few weeks following his appointment, Mr. Fasuequio resigned due to reported personal matters. He was then replaced by Mr. Gardea V. Woodson.

REBIRTH

Beginning January 30th through February 2nd, 2015, the Interim Leadership convened a mass meeting, or mini convention of ALJA members and US based Liberian journalists in New Castle, Delaware. The convention brought together 25 Liberian journalists from the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, California, Minnesota, and Maryland. During the conference, the attendees expanded the mandates of the Interim Administration in furtherance of the Association’s revival process. The group authorized the Leadership to plan and host a post crisis convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They also, requested the Leadership to conduct elections for new corps of officers of the Association. In keeping with the mandates, from October 16th-18, 2015, the first ALJA post crisis convention was held in New Castle, Delaware instead of Philadelphia. The Convention’s venue was changed to Delaware due to administrative reason.