What a beautiful classy lady she is. She makes me proud to be a woman. Keep up the good work.

She embodies perseverance, discipline and courage. She’s what black women are all about and her accomplishments should remind us that we all have the power to change our lives and our history.

At like I really care
but GOOD for her!!!!!

I don’t wanna be negative, but I thought these posts were suppose to be about black americans?

Great story!

It seems like all the real black revolutionary, both men and women are/were born in other countries other than the US…Steve Biko, Marcus Garvey, Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Lumumba etc. Yes, America had Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, but they’re impact was miniscule compared to the aforementioned freedom fighters. Biko Mandela etc. changed the course of their country for the better, they overturned government and they overturned oppressive systems and that is the meaning of revolution. American Blacks wanted and still wants to be integrated with their oppressors, so their idea of revolution is misconstrued. If the American Negro understood the meaning of revolution, they would not even utter the word. Revolutions are bloody, revolutions are uncompromising; in a revolution no holds are barred. Only the American Negroes preach of a bloodless revolution. To be fair what Malcolm and King did in their fight did not change the course of this country because they did not have the mass behind them. The American Negro did not mobilize and support these great leader, they sort of fell back and let them take the bullet (literally)

What does this mean? Believe it or not, the outside world have been looking to the American Negroes to start the fight but the fight have to start somewhere else, and spread to the door steps of Blacks in America and then and only then, will they join because they won’t have a choice.

This post is incorrect. Johnson-sireleaf is the first African woman to become head of state of a european style government in Africa.

Every ethnic group in Africa has had at least one, but usually several women as their leader. Queens, Head Priests and Leader of the Marketplace are among the common roles of authority that have earned, bestowed and on occasion TAKEN by women of power in Africa. Unlike white folks, our women have always been free to speak their mind, lead others and aspire and execute greatness.

This post reminds me of when we forget about the Reconstruction Period after Slavery. WE should define our historical milestones, not white people.

All that said, I am glad we aren’t so myopic that we think only “Black Americans” should be honored. (What kind of comment was that anyway by a viewer?)

I loved the story

To Sigh,No4

OMG,it shows how much posts are need to educate you.Liberians and Black Americans are the same people.Liberians are the slaves(Black Americans) that were released,given back freedom and returned back to Africa.Thats where the name of the country Liberia came from.Liberty,….does it sound familiar to you??????
I am an African,living in Europe,and I am always amazed on how many Black Americans in the States dont know anything about their history.
OOhh right my bad,….,how would they ,when they spend their time thinking about T Pain lyrics and Beyonce’s length hair!!!!!!!

Am glad Concreteloop is not just any other gossip rumours but also takes time to educate.
Go on Concreteloop,we need to see more of these people and be proud of our people who succeeded in dignity.

“President of Liberia and Africa’s first elected female head of state”? That is quite an accomplishment!

I wonder when the US will join the bandwagon.

#4: Nope, these posts honor black people all over the world.

#6: I feel you.

*flava flav voice *woooooooooooooow*

Great accomplishment

I love the story, however I can’t help but to picture the film Coming to America.

very interesting!

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf makes me very proud to be a woman, and extremely proud to be a Liberian. She’s doing great things in Liberia, and I hope that the changes she has made have a lasting effect on the country.

I am very pleased with this post! Johnson-Sirleaf aka Iron Lady is a legend in my eyes and a wonderful example of a woman with strength, ambition and determination. I recall her election in 2005…it was a historical moment! It’s too bad her rank went down to 66 as the most powerful women in the world. I feel like she should be in the top 20! Keep posting history CL.

#4… Umm, “We” come from Africa, so this is our “History”. And “Yes” you were trying to be negative. (crabs in a barrel)

I watched her inaguation on tv. She was even on Oprah & I was sooo proud. Reading this article gave me chills, congrats to all women doing it big in 08. America may not have a black president, but all african descendants have a black female president.

#15: She was No. 100 last year, so she’s definitely movin’ on up!

GOTTA LOVE BLACK FOLKS, THIS WOMAN IS BEAUTIFUL & EDUCATED…YOU GO GIRL!

Sad that people never leave as many comments on these historical individuals as they do about a magazine cover of Beyonce or what shoes Rihanna is wearing. She is a great woman and I can’t get enough of these posts CL

SIGH is so ignorant, she is dangerous.

Ha my mom worked with Ellen in Libera before I was born, its so amazing to see someone that you have personal knowledge of become a leader in this forum. She has a tough job to do, that definitely will not be completed before she leaves, but if she can start the groundwork it can hopefully be passed on to the next. Thanks Concrete Loop for having these kinds of stories.

This what should be taught in our history books. American Education Does Black history a diservice in the school systems. We are not taught the strength and perseverance of our people. Though now with internet access, in most homes and liberaries, We As a people have to wake up and do it ourselves. Its takes A village we all most pulled together, instead of waiting to be spoon fed, the basics by white america. We have to make our dystany. We Must educate ourselves, now more then ever we are in a position of power, Its fruitless if its not utilize for the will of the Good . Knowledge is power…Wake Up People!!!!!!…We Really Need to wake up. CL Thank you for adding this black history piece to your site, as you can see from some commments on this blog ignorance is still among us….To say Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf isnt a black american…lol Lawd ..Again Knowlegde is Key….But a blog wouldent be a blog if you didnt have someone to put something up foolish just because it goes against the grain. Im Proud to have a Strong Black Woman that I can tell my daughter about, that i can have her do a research paper on. You have to know where you come from to know were you going. As always J Dakar…You do the damn thing on providing excellent insight into our People. Jah Love….
B Blessed.

Dukesman2000 #5…I would not call King and X’s work minuscule because they were in a different setting. Their struggles and the people sorrounding those strugges were all different so I dont expect to pass judgement on the times I was not present at or struggles I know nothing of. If I lived it as well as that of the African leaders you mentioned then I would have a platform in comparing the two and saying one leader was better than the other. Otherwise all you have to go by is history and reading, which does not depict personal struggles and toils that may hinder an individual’s progress…just something to make note of.

YAY ELLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! L.I.B. REPRESENT!!!!!

Much respect to the Concreteloop massive for your commendable attempts to educate our people. It’s always amazing to me; and I know it’s been said before; that people know more about the lives of celebrities and what goes on in the media than they do about their own history. What we have been taught (conditioned to bekieve) needs to be erased to a large degree and a whole new learning needs to happen in our families and communities!

“Sad that people never leave as many comments on these historical individuals as they do about a magazine cover of Beyonce or what shoes Rihanna is wearing.”

Exactly.

She’s doing well already so hopefully the country will be thriving again real soon.

I watched a documentary on PBS about her first year in office. She faced tremendous adversity. It was interesting to see how she handled trying to find money to boost Liberia’s economy, secure jobs, create infrastructure and gain (and keep) the trust of her people. She is a phenomenal woman!

I used to share those same sentiments about the BHS posts not receiving as many comments as the more celebrity-driven posts, but then I realized that that’s actually a good thing.

Think about it: on a post with hundreds of comments, most of those are either arguing or promoting controversy.

The achievements of these individuals are not up for debate. This is nothing more than a brief history lesson.

There’s really not much to say except maybe to mention the inspiration of and admiration for these individuals who have played such pivotal roles in history.

This is a wonderful post on a great accomplishment by a great woman which we should ALL be proud of.

It’s too bad people feel the need to make such ignorant comments…I guess a lack of education will do that to you.

J Dakar

Since you are the writer of the post, I would expect you to take this “It really doesn’t matter approach” in regards to the activity of these posts.

Hoiwever, I find it sad that they are not flooded. Education is knowledge but it is also power. If people knew and informed themselves like they should, maybe African Americans alike could actually move forward rather than merely discussing change.

Thats how all revolutions began…people became informed. People got mad, and people definitly acted accordingly…they seeked the change; they didn’t just talk about it.

The media has become this distraction because it helps subdue the people…not inform them!

Keep up the good work!

PROUD LIBERIAN!!! Thanx CL for this post!

Got to love Ellen my mom works under her government in the L.I.B. and she is a very educated powerful lady I had the pleasure of meeting her several times and she is truly a wonderful person whose main focus is turning Liberia back around.

The name Liberia denotes “liberty” as Black Americans moved to Liberia in 1822, and founded the country in 1847 with the support of the American Colonization Society creating a new ethnic group called the Americo-Liberians
In 1822, the American Colonization Society established Liberia as a place to send black people who were formerly enslaved. Other African Americans, who were never enslaved, chose to emigrate to Liberia as well.[5] African-Americans gradually migrated to the colony and became known as Americo-Liberians, from where many present day Liberians trace their ancestry. On July 26, 1847, the Americo-Liberian settlers declared the independence of the Republic of Liberia.

The settlers regarded Africa as a “Promised Land”, but they did not integrate into an African society. Once in Africa, they referred to themselves as “Americans” and were recognized as such by local Africans and by British colonial authorities in neighbouring Sierra Leone. The symbols of their state — its flag, motto, and seal — and the form of government that they chose reflected their American background and diaspora experience. Lincoln University (founded as Ashmun Institute for educating young blacks in Pennsylvania in 1854) played an important role in supplying Americo-Liberians leadership for the new Nation. The first graduating class of Lincoln University, James R. Amos, his brother Thomas H. Amos, and Armistead Miller sailed for Liberia on the brig Mary C. Stevens in April, 1859 after graduation

@ 17. J DAKER

#15: She was No. 100 last year, so she’s definitely movin’ on up!

———————————————-

Hearing that all I can say is wow. In 2006, Forbes magazine named her the 51st in the most powerful women in the world…well according to Wikipedia, LOL. But she deserves more recognition regardless.

And you are so right on comment 28 too!

Damn yo!! shout out to concreteloop for highlighting on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf… I feel gud and i’m proud to a LIBERIAN!!!!! shout out to all my “LIB” PEEPS YO!!!!…. AY NAH EASII YA…!!! Seeeejayyyy..lol if u know wat i mean.lol

Thanks so much guys for keeping this site informative about not only the people of our present and future but also our PAST - SANKOFA (knowing your past to find your future)

#4 pls crawl back into the ignorant hole you came out from……and die,
you are the reason why some people consider all black people sub par and stupid.ignorant asshole u just spoilt my day..

Watch I’ma flip Kenny Rodgers song “Proud to Be An American” to “Proud To Be A Liberian”…Great story L.I.B. 4 Lyfe

thanks for posting this concrete loop. This continues to make your blog unique and very informative. Thanks for highlighting the accomplishments of a wonderful woman like Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. What an amazing revolutionary.

Also to note Ellen is a lovely member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC.

Thanks Cl!!! Right on point. I love the writeup very interesting.

Likeabite…

You said you cannot pass judgment on history because you weren’t there? So you are telling me that slavery doesn’t affect you or you are not at liberty to have an opinion about it because you did not live those eras? Come on, people try to govern their lives on the biggest history book of all time - THE BIBLE. No one alive today lived in days those days but we are inundated with those words all our lives. Not because you weren’t living in a certain period does not mean you cannot have an opinion on it.

Believe me, I am the biggest follower of the Right Honorable Minister Malcolm X, so when I said his works were miniscule, I meant it in the most respectful way. What I feel is that his work, along with King’s was less impactful because it really did not change anything. Yes, it gave us knowledge and pulled the wool from over our eyes, but we are still oppressed as a people. Obviously they both died prematurely, before their teachings manifested itself into action but it really did not change this racially abusive system. In comparison to other civil rights leaders of the world, where they went about it in a manner, in which American Blacks refuse, to bring about change. Revolution…..

Wouaw can’t believe you are posting her !! I love this woman ..she is an example for all african country..
Few month ago I read her story saying she got hard time, when she arrived in the governement , because she decide to fired most of the man from the previous gouvernement who were living the “good life” and who didn’t care about their peoples. I was amazed by her strengh and all the global idea she got for her country ,especially for the education & woman.
I ampretty sure that If most of the country in africa were governated(?!)by woman, Africa will become the third power of the world.
All those man in the African governements only care about how much money they can get so they can buy fancy cars and houses around the world while our communitee has nothing to eat and dying.
I am from Congo ( = one of the richest country of africa) born and leaving in europe, my parents came in europe thinking it will take few years for my country to be OK ..but 35 years later nothing has changed in Congo, it is even worst than before ..Now I have child and I do regret to not even being able to go in my country, cause I feel so sorry for my communitee..while some white dude is having everything because they live has Expat in Africa and they don’t make the effort to help the communitee. It is difficult for you american to realise what’s goin on in Africa, because there is not South African, with those beautiful hotels and view …Africa is big and there is a lot of things going on over there and if Africa it is like this, it’s because of the european and ( sorry) american, who only comes when they need something( In the past, since there is nothing left anymore): raw materials from the ground such as ..diamond ..gold.. anyway we can talk it about it all night long..
Africa got a lot of power on his hand, but can’t handle this .
I just wish that one day my country will also have their own ” Ellen Johnson”
PS: Sorry for my english, Iam a french speaker

I’m a proud Liberian, I’m one of those to be quick to tell you I’m from L.I.B.. People are suprise when I tell them, but we are beautiful set of people. We also comes in all shapes, sizes, and color. It’s also amazing how many BLACK people that don”t even know where that is. Thanks to CL for this post. She made history in our country (LIBERIA). I feel you # 36, cause some people can be so ignorant. To all the Liberian ‘OUR COUNTRY WILL OVER COME!!!!!!!
L. I. B. Stand up!!

Doesn’t it ever amaze ppl how in a place w/ such turmoil (WAY larger compared to anything in the US), they can come together and put a unlikely candidate in leadership? This should motivate us to vote in the upcoming election so we can make history here (in the US) like Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf has!

OMG!!!!! that is my queen!!! I am Liberian and my dad is very good friends with her son…I can’t wait to meet her. She has truly opened up doors for young black women in ways she will never know

Skeeee wee!

it is good to read positive stories about Africa and Africans. the media only wants to tell us negative stories

Dukesman, can you be for real right now? Focus on the achievements of Black people in general, not divide based on where people are from! And since when was the word minuscule associated with Martin or Malcolm? You need to get beat in the head with a stick!

and for the record, Dukesman Liberians are African Americans who founded Liberia, hence the name Liberia (Liberty=free)

Thank you for this post, she’s one of the few female leaders of a nation that doesn’t get as much props as she deserves. & thank u 4 mentioning my country Kenya, 1 of the most beautiful countries in the world 4 sho.

I happen to be liberian and am thankful that you posted this. But why must there always be one or two ignorant and negative posts. If some of you dont know, if you are black or african american, or even from the west indies and some parts of south america most likely your roots originate from africa. learn your history people.

Proud to not only be a Liberian and especially a woman. Changes can be made in the lives of those in need by educating ourselves.

Thank goodness for the law making education compulsory for children. During the war an entire generation, kids that are now young adults missed out on the opportunity of education. I recently went back to Liberia and although there is still so much to do to turn the country around, among so much that I was touched to see was the kids in uniforms coming from school. (Blue and Gold - JJ Roberts!) Schools there are in need of school supplies for students and teaching materials. Personally, I couldn’t stand to not help any way I could and so I have. The kids after all are the future of our nation, as are the young Liberians here in America who were blessed to escape the war and have a chance at an education and a childhood without the violence of war at your doorstep.

Step out of the box, and see the world around you. Thanks CL for this post, which, if it has educated one person on something they did not know before, I consider a success.

Great story! Big ups to President Johnson-Sirleaf! She is a dynamic woman and great leader. I am proud to Liberian and I’m glad other learn about our country as well. LIB STAND UP!!!!

ACE of The Hipnotiks signing off…

YES YES YES LIBERIA ALL DAY EVERYDAY IVE SEEN THIS WOMAN IN PERSON AND SHE IS MAGNIFICANT

PS im SO happy so many liberians r hitting up this board

She is my favorite. Just saw her personals ID on millionaires personals site “”"”"C e l e b C u p i d.c o m”"”"”" yesterday. I am wondering what kind of relationship she is looking for on that site. Is she single again?——-

CL thank you so so much for posting this. There are so many young African-American women and women of color period that don’t have a chance to see such a successful woman. This is great!

LIB represent! Ma Ellen is a true leader, the best thing to happen to our country in decades.

My boy dates one of her sons

Hey you, HOOD_SHIT:
how do we know it’s not you who’s gay!?!