‘Dare to Venture Out,’ President Sirleaf Urges Young People

Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the United States , Wed, Jun 1, 2016

Washington, D.C. – May 31, 2016: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged individuals, especially young people, not to allow themselves to be held back from reaching their goals due to unfavorable conditions and circumstances. “Be what you want to be; stay the course and don’t be distracted by challenges,” - “Dare to venture out,” President Sirleaf said.According to a dispatch from Washington, President Sirleaf was speaking Tuesday, May 31, 2016, when she served as special featured guest at the  signing ceremony for a new book, “Choosing the Hero: My Improbable Journey And The Rise Of Africa’s First Woman President.The new book is authored by Ms. K. Riva Levinson, President and CEO of KRL International, a Washington-based communications and government relations firm which champions Liberia’s cause in the U.S. Ms. Levinson has a long-time relationship with the President and has played a commendable role in further deepening Liberia-U.S. relations during the tenure of President Sirleaf. 
Speaking further at the well-attended event, held at the Politics and Prose bookstore, President Sirleaf praised Ms. Levinson as someone who is reliable, hardworking and committed. The President added that the book is a reflection of her relationship with Ms. Levinson, who has stood closely by her for decades, from years of struggle to bring about an era of democracy in Liberia to this period of Liberia’s reconstruction under her leadership.Earlier, Ms. Levinson said the opportunity to have worked closely with President Sirleaf over the years has profoundly impacted her and has given her a purpose in life.  Ms. Levinson, a strategist on international issues, who has managed projects of consequence in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe, said she has been most impacted by her relationship with President Sirleaf and her support for Liberia’s post-conflict transformation.
In “Choosing the Hero,” Ms. Levinson chronicles her journey in support of Africa’s first woman President.Among those at the crowded event were Her Excellency Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, and Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh.
Gabriel I. H. WilliamsMinister Counselor for Press & Public Affairs. Place cursor on picture for description

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, left, speaking at the book signing ceremony. Seated front row, right to left include Ambassador Jeremiah Sulunteh, author Riva Levison

Former Malawian President Joyce Banda (in African attire) posing a question at the book signing ceremony

 

DA partiDA partial view of the large crowd that attended the book signing ceremonyal view of the large crowd that attended the book signing ceremony

 President Sirleaf confers with former Malawian President Joyce Banda at the book signing event

 

President Sirleaf flanked by author Riva Levinson (immediate right) and Ambassador Sulunteh (extreme left)