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Sierra Leoneans
"It was around his late 30s, in 1874 that Sierra Leonean Dr. Africanus Horton published the very first account of Sickle Cell disease in the world. In his late 20s, the world renowned Sierra Leonean Composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was invited to the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904..."

27-year old Harvard Graduate in Biomedical Engineering, Sengeh has recently taken over the world of Technology. The current MIT PhD Candidate has collected numerous prominent awards and accolades, especially this year. Sengeh appeared on Forbes 30 under 30 of those changing the world in Technology for 2014. He was one of four winners of the very prestigious 2014 Lemelson-MIT National Collegiate Student Prize Competition.

She is taking on the world, industry after industry. A Columbia Graduate in Journalism, Remoe is a pioneer and trendsetter in whatever she sets her sights on. Emerging in the mainstream as a Sierra Leonean Blogger with her popular “Swit Salone” blog, Remoe went on to produce her own Talk Show, ‘The Vickie Remoe Show’, which gained much attention both in Sierra Leone and its Diaspora.

A Graduate of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and Virginia Tech, in Political Science, Government and International Affairs, Williams is emerging as a voice to reckon with. Williams served in the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Niger and Guinea facilitating community development programs geared towards socioeconomic development. Williams recently co-founded the Sierra Leone Empowerment Network (SLEN), a global network of Sierra Leonean Professionals.

Before he turns 18 in October this year, Doe would have accomplished in the last few years more than most have in a lifetime. In his early teenage years, Doe created his own generator and battery using scrap material he found laying around. With the tools he had created, he then decided to create his own radio station, which he was able to broadcast throughout his community. Doe represented his Secondary School during the 2012 Innovate Salone competition and became one of the Finalists.

At 28, Moijueh is an accomplished Businessman. An MBA Graduate from the University of Maryland and graduate of the American Institute of Diamond Cutting, Moijueh is one of the few Sierra Leonean diamond jewelers in the United States. An Iraq War Veteran, Moijueh is also the founder of MOI (Minds of Intelligence) Foundation, which is dedicated to addressing the issue of illiteracy in Africa. Moijueh was recently featured on the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) Top 30 under 30

25-year old Heyden Adama Bangura is taking the entertainment scene by storm. With some of her singles getting over 100,000 hits on YouTube, Heyden is a rising star in the music industry in Sierra Leone. An Actress and Model, Heyden has been featured in several African magazines and popular online media such as Zen Magazine and Nigeria’s The Herald.

Having shared the stage with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, there is little that Chernor Bah hasn’t accomplished in the International Development field. Bah was co-founder of Children’s Forum Network, the first national children’s organization in Sierra Leone. Bah became the first to ever be awarded a youth fellowship at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Garrick began to play the piano at the mere age of 3 and by 12 he had memorized a sonata by Mozart. Emerging as one of the best Sierra Leonean Classical Pianists, Garrick has mastered several classics of the greats including Bach, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert, and Joplin. Garrick has dazzled several audiences in New Jersey with his prowess with music.

Kamara is already a world renowned professional Soccer player at 29. He played soccer while at California State University and also with Orange County Blue Star with United Soccer Leagues Premier Development. Kamara then went on to play for Sporting Kansas City for several years before playing for Norwich City of the English Premier League in 2013. Kamara returned briefly to play for the Sierra National Football team, Leone Stars.

Super Blogger, SaWaneh has recently hit the social media waves with storm. In a short period of time, SaWaneh’s Facebook Page has received over 250,000 likes. “Howiviewafrica” set out to rebrand the image of Africa into a more realistic, contemporary, and positive image. SaWaneh, a Wayland Baptist University student has already been recognized by several media outlets including PRWeb and Lubbock Avalanche Journal.

Ruby Kamara-Johnson connects beauty and brains in a way that is difficult to choose one over the other. Kamara-Johnson studied Mining and Mineral Engineering at Virginia Tech University with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. In 2012, she became the 5th Miss Sierra Leone USA. She has made great strides in adding value in how beauty is viewed in her community, as well as the advancement of girls and women through the organization she founded, When You Believe Foundation.

24-year old Tarmoh has already won a gold medal at the Olympics. Attending Texas A&M University, Tarmoh took part in the NCAA Track & Field competitions, helping her university to become champions between 2009 and 2011. She represented USA in the 4 by 100 metres relay at the 2012 Olympics, helping the team win gold. She has won several awards including a silver medal at the 2013 World Outdoor 4 by 100 metres relay.

An American University Graduate, Williams graduated from the School of Public Affairs and emerging as a policy guru in his community. He is a member of the National Scholars Collegiate Society, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity Incorporated. Williams is also a Board Member of the American University Alumni Association. Currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director for the Sierra Leone Policy Watch (SLPW) Think Tank, William

Award nominated Actress, Kualamah has already graced the red carpet at the World Music and Independent Film Festival, from her debut lead role in “I am an American” in 2012. The film, directed by June Daguiso and produced by Cameroonian Blaise Christian Sitchet quickly rose in popularity in the indie scene. Kualamah, who was born in Sierra Leone and attended Speciss College in Zimbabwe is actively pursuing her career in Acting in the United States and something may be in the works very soon.

Recently featured in The Baltimore Social Innovation Journal earlier this year, 27-year old Kumalah has set out on a mission to transform Baltimore alleys into spaces for artistic creativity and strengthened community activities. With aims to pursue her PhD in Public Health, Kumalah received her Graduate degree from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She currently works as an Analyst in the Mayor’s office in Baltimore.

She hasn’t claimed herself to be a Super Model yet, however it doesn’t seem as though the Universe will wait until she makes up her mind. One of her professional photographs went viral on Social Media recently and received over 40,000 likes and comments. Jabbie serves as member of the GWB Commission, which hosted their 6th annual Green White and Blue Ball this year.

If you’re an avid follower of Big Brother Africa, then you probably saw Bassey as one of the contestants in 2013. A Graduate of African Studies and Drama from Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Bassey has been acting since the tender age of four. Since then, he has acted in over 10 movies, including “The Change” and “Beyond Sacrifice”. Bassey won Best Actor at the 2013 Youth Excellence Awards in Sierra Leone and his Acting career continues to grow with new offers

One can only conclude that DePrince was born to dance ballet; she has proven to the world time and time again that it is natural to her. At 19, she has already taken on the world with her talent, dazzling a global audience on shows such as “Abdallah and the Gazelle of the Basra” in Netherlands, “Le Corsaire” in South Africa with the South African Manszi Ballet Company, and in the US with the popular TV Show “Dancing With the Stars”.

Margai is yet to turn 25 and she has already landed a role in one of the highest grossing films of all time. She was a student of the Italia Conti Stage School, which also boasts Naomi Campbell and Russell Brand as members of its Alumni. She played the role of a pupil in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1″, a British Film which was the third highest grossing film in the world in 2010. Margai continues to pursue her acting career in the UK.

A student of New England Sports Academy, Kamara is a rising gymnast with tremendous potential. In March of this year, she won two gold medals at a competition in New York and made 1st all around for level 9 and made it to her regional to level 10. By April, Kamara qualified to compete at the Eastern National Convention in Florida. She continues to develop her skills at the Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club. Her ultimate mission as a gymnast is to compete at the Olympics.
May 23rd,
2014
SLEN Professional Mixer
6 listed in the 2014 30 under 30 Sierra Leoneans to follow attended the Sierra Leonean Empowerment Network (SLEN) Professional Mixer held in DC on May 23rd. Jonelle Williams, Desmond Ellis, Lamin SaWaneh, Ruby Johnson, Jerrie Kumalah and Salifu Kamara posed for a photograph holding the "I Am Slenning" signboard.

June 13th,
2014
Jonelle Williams and Salifu Kamara (World Bank) met for lunch today. Seems like their mutual friend, Desmond Ellis (Ernst & Young) orchestrated the connection, introducing Jonelle to Salifu. Great to see dope networking.
June 13th,
2014
Jerrie Kumalah shared a video of an ad for Baltimore City's State Attorney candidate Gregg Bernstein. She's in it, can you spot her?
