Liberian Independence Day Celebrated Through Local Business Impact
This weekend, Brooklyn Center will host the first-ever Liberian Independence Day parade in Minnesota. It’s a celebration of culture and impact after 35 years in the United States.
Marie Dweh is co-founder of We Are Liberian, a local nonprofit hosting the parade. She said the family-friendly event is for anyone — no matter where you are from.
“We come from a war-torn country. We’ve been through so many different trials and tribulations, and we’ve been resilient through it all. So, we kind of just want to come together and celebrate where we came from, and where we are going,” Dweh said.
Dweh said hundreds are expected to attend from both near and far.
“Liberians have made up a big population of the state of Minnesota for over three decades,” Dweh said. “We figure: What better time than now to come together and just showcase our culture?”
Marie Dweh speaks with CCX News at Centennial Park, the site of Liberian Independence Day events.
Liberian Economic Impacts
Liberian-owned local businesses have seen a lot of success in the northwest metro. From restaurants like Milah’s Royal Bistro in Brooklyn Park, or in Dweh’s home healthcare service, Prestigious Care Homes. One Liberian-owned community mainstay is Christina’s Child Care Center, a daycare service for children ages six weeks to 13 years old.
Assistant Director Christina Fraser helps lead the classrooms, many of which are much busier in the summer. Nap time is the one moment of silence, but Fraser’s used to it.
“We bring family, we bring joy, we bring community efforts,” Fraser said. “We are very involved with our families.”
At this point, generations of kids have come through the doors of Christina’s. The business has been in her family for 19 years, started by her parents who immigrated from Liberia. Her mom, Ophelia Zeogar, started the business in her basement. It has only grown, now at its location in Crystal.
“As Liberians, it’s a big part of what we do here,” Fraser said.
Fraser said they serve all cultures and backgrounds, but her family’s culture plays a special role in both what they have to offer and how they run their business. She’s a first-generation American, as her parents moved to the U.S. before she was born.
“It’s not only important to my parents, but it is important to me as well to make sure that our culture lives on through me. So I can pass it on to my children as well,” Fraser said.
Christina Fraser talks with one of the babies in the business’ infant room. Fraser has a hand in every part of the business.
Liberian Independence Day Parade
Businesses like Christina’s will be celebrated in Brooklyn Center for Liberian Independence Day. There will be 70 different vendors, as well as Liberian artifacts, music and food available.
The parade is on Saturday, July 26. It begins at 11 a.m. on Shingle Creek Parkway and ends at Centennial Park in Brooklyn Center. The celebration will continue throughout the day in the park
Tickets are required for entry to the parade and event. The event is free. People can register for tickets on the Liberian Independence Day Eventbrite page.
A flyer for the Liberian Independence parade and day at the park.
