The President of The Gambia American Association Inc of Washington DC ( GAA), Mr. Pa Samba Jow has disclosed that Mrs. Hope Sullivan Masters, the daughter of legendary Civil Rights activist and author of the Sullivan Global Principles, the late Rev Dr Leon H Sullivan, will serve as keynote speaker at the GAA annual Gala Dinner commemorating African Liberation Day ( ALD) which will be celebrated in Washington DC on Friday May 25th to Sunday May 27th 2012
Mr. Jow made this revelation on Saturday evening in Maryland when he officially unveiled this year’s ALD program. He said his organization was elated to have Hope Sullivan whom she called “a Washington heavyweight and advocate for the African continent.” Mr. Jow added , ” the fact that her initiatives are motivated by a mandate from her late Father to engage on a substantive level, African Diasporans living in the United States and beyond puts her in a better position to relate with us Africans, especially on this monumental occasion when we celebrate a dream of her own Father, The Liberation of Africa.” Jow concluded to say that The GAA could not be prouder to have a person of such esteem and influence in Washington to serve as its keynote speaker.
Dilating on the events for the weekend, Jow was beyond confident saying “we do not have to be pompous, but there is absolutely no doubt that the 2012 ALD will be the best ALD ever.” He said the weekend opens with a Grand Cultural Extravaganza on Friday Night which will feature amongst many things, SEWRUBA, KASSAK, BUKARAABOU, SABAAR by Gambia’s very own Sulay Janha, son of legendary Gambia Musician Bai Janha, and the much acclaimed and the famous West African Masquerade Hunting Society out of Atlanta. He added that the GAA has put emphasis on this event in the past two years because it is one way to uphold our culture and traditions and at the same time showcasing to our kids born here and exposing it to the rest of the world.
According to the GAA leader, “It is prudent to preserve and nurture our country’s rich heritage that our fore father bequeathed us”
Gambian Music sensation, Pa Omar Jack is expected to fly in from Banjul as one of the highlight performers.

On Saturday, May 26th, the annual Saul Samba Memorial football tournament will take place with nine Gambian teams from all over the United States vying to dethrone New York, the Champions for the last two years. According to Mr. Jow, the battle for the Championship trophy and Gold Medals donated by Fr Joseph Gough is going to be very interesting because Atlanta and Washington DC are hungry for the coveted prizes. The tournament which lasts the whole day will be followed by a Gala Dinner and Dance at the Conference Place on 207 West Hampton Place in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Mr. Jow stressed that Dinner will commence at 10.00 pm prompt and urged all Gambians to be on time maintaining dinner will be served at 10.30 pm and according to him, “That would be it.” Quizzed on the menu of the three course dinner, He had this to say, “Our In House Executive Chef has cooked for no less than President Bill Clinton and I’ll leave it at that.” Dinner will be followed by a grand dance with popular and Dean of Gambian Deejay’s Moses Gomez at the turntable. Part of the Saturday Gala will be a silent auction and door prizes to be won.

On Sunday afternoon at Roy Lester Football Stadium in Rockville, the football finals will take place followed be a grand cultural festival, the first of its kind. The festival will feature ZIMBA, KANKURANG, and FAIRY MASQUERADE. Gambian food vendors will also be in place to feed the thousands that will converge at the Stadium. The weekend’s long activities conclude later that evening with a farewell party for all the revelers that will make it to DC.

By way of background information, The Gambia American Association Inc is a Non Profit charitable Gambian Organization charged with the responsibility of coordinating Gambians and supporting all Gambian activities in the Washington DC area. Over time, this organization has responded to national duty, most notably two years ago following the Floods in The Gambia. The Organization also continues to be a key partner with the Health sector in The Gambia through numerous donations of Hospital equipment to the Ministry of Health. The GAA also supports Gambian Education.

Premised on its motto, “MBOLLO MOI DOLLEH.” the Organization continues to strive to tackle the many challenges before the community, and by extension fully committed to helping the least fortunate in The Gambia and Africa in general.

For more information on the activities of the GAA, please visit www.dcgaa.com