Sierra Leone Independence Weekend 2025
4th Annual Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball
About
The Annual Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball is Mousai Entertainment, LLC"s signature event, created to honor Sierra Leoneans making a significant impact in their communities. Often defined by its challenges—Ebola, blood diamonds, and civil war—Sierra Leone has so much more to offer.
Mousai Entertainment aims to change this narrative, spotlighting the country’s vibrant talent, intelligence, and resilience as its people work tirelessly to build a brighter future.
Sierra Leone is a country rich in culture, shaped by a deep history that reflects the diversity of its 16 unique ethnic groups and districts. These include the Mende, Temne, Krio, Limba, Fula, Kono, Mandingo, Kuranko, Loko, Sherbro, Kroo, Vai, Kissi, Oku, Susu, and Yalunka. Each of these groups brings its own culture, traditions, and language, creating a vibrant mosaic that forms the heart of Sierra Leone's identity. The country's districts, spread across the Western Area, the Eastern Province, the Southern Province, and the Northern Province, further highlight the regional diversity that defines the nation.
This year’s theme, A Celebration of Culture, History, Fashion & Unity, places special focus on “Celebrating Sierra Leone’s 16 Tribes and Districts: Where Elegance Meets Tradition.” It’s an evening dedicated to showcasing Sierra Leone’s heritage, highlighting the unity that emerges from its diverse cultures.
The Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball is more than a celebration—it’s a platform to showcase Sierra Leonean businesses, artists, food, and fashion. This event provides a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs, creators, and designers to showcase their talents and products, bringing the best of Sierra Leone to the world stage.
We are thrilled to feature live performances from the Lek U Culture Association's Cultural Dance Team. This 501(c) nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage through music, dance, and community outreach. The cultural dance team will showcase traditional Sierra Leonean dances that celebrate the unique customs and spirit of the nation’s 16 ethnic groups, offering an unforgettable visual experience that will transport you directly into the heart of Sierra Leone’s vibrant culture.
We are also excited to present a Fashion Show by Jmed Fashion, showcasing the latest in Sierra Leonean and African-inspired styles. This stunning runway presentation will highlight unique fashion pieces that blend tradition with modern elegance, emphasizing the creativity and craftsmanship of African designers.
And that's not all! The evening will be filled with surprise performances, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the event. These surprises will keep the energy high and ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
This event is a Red Carpet Affair—a chance for you to showcase your finest African gowns and elegant attire. Dress to impress in your most glamorous African-inspired fashion, and walk the red carpet in style! Whether it’s a traditional gown or a chic modern design, come celebrate the beauty of African fashion and culture.
We are proud to announce that this year, we are collaborating with the Lek U Culture Association. As part of this partnership, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to charity, supporting causes that benefit the Sierra Leonean community and help preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage. By attending, you will be contributing to meaningful change and community upliftment.
The event will also feature a spectacular display of masquerade masks. Attendees are encouraged to showcase masks that represent their cultural heritage, creating a visual representation of Sierra Leone's diverse identity. A competition for the best male and female masquerade masks will also take place, allowing attendees to get creative while embracing their traditions. Winners will be awarded $500 cash prizes, adding a competitive and thrilling element to the evening.
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of culture, history, business, art, food, fashion, and unity. Let’s come together to honor the rich legacy of Sierra Leone while embracing the future with pride and creativity.
Dr. Kadijatu Grace Ahene Kamara
Deputy Minister of Tourism & Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone
Dr. Kadijatu Grace Ahene Kamara is an accomplished and multifaceted leader. In addition to her role as Deputy Minister, she is a certified life and transformational coach, psychologist, author, and entrepreneur. With over a decade of experience in mental health, social services, and criminal justice. Dr. Kamara is an entrepreneur, founder of Psychology of Winning, an initiative focused on empowering youth to make informed and responsible life choices. She is also a published author of Broken Chains & Saved by Grace and has been recognized with the Golden Wheels Award for her work.
As a passionate advocate for youth development, Dr. Kamara founded several initiatives, including the Yaweis Institute in Southern Sierra Leone, a skills training program for young women and girls, and the She Arose Motivational Platform, through which she will soon publish the book Dija’s Touch Designs. Additionally, Dr. Kamara founded a pre-school in Bo District specializing in the training of children and youth.
Mousai Entertainment LLC and the Lek U Culture Association, in collaboration with USA Paddle DMV for the parade and Unifest. are honored to welcome Dr. Kamara as the esteemed Guest of Honor. The Sierra Leone 64th Independence Weekend Celebration will provide an opportunity for the community to come together in celebration of Sierra Leone's path to independence, while looking forward to a future of progress, unity, and prosperity.
Dr. Kamara will also lead a series of discussions throughout the weekend, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with key topics such as the importance of cultural preservation, sustainable tourism, and the role of cultural industries in national development. Her leadership continues to inspire future generations to embrace and protect Sierra Leone’s rich traditions while building a forward-looking, inclusive cultural framework.
The celebration will provide a platform for people from all walks of life to come together, honoring the rich history that has shaped Sierra Leone’s journey to independence, while looking forward to a united and prosperous future.
Edna Liliana Valencia
Afro-Colombian journalist, speaker, author and advocate for African and Afro-Latin culture
Edna Liliana Valencia is a proud Afro-Colombian journalist with over 15 years of experience in both national and international media. She is a passionate activist for the rights of Afro-descendant communities, a consultant specializing in inclusion and diversity, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a poet, and a writer. In May 2022, she published her first book, El Racismo y Yo, and is preparing to release her second book, La Diáspora Perdida, which will debut at FilBo 2025.
Edna is a member of the bipartisan advisory group for Colombia-U.S. relations at the Atlantic Council and is also part of the Afro-Latino Journalists Task Force with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in the United States. Through an African ancestry DNA test, Edna discovered her deep connection to Sierra Leone, and it has been her dream to one day visit. We are excited to make that dream a reality and take her there soon.
Mousai Entertainment LLC, the Lek U Culture Association, and USA Paddle DMV are proud to collaborate on the Sierra Leone 64th Independence Weekend Celebration, and are excited to welcome Edna Liliana Valencia into the Sierra Leonean community in the DMV area. This event is a chance to connect with our Afro-Latino, African American, and Caribbean brothers and sisters, reinforcing the unity that binds us all as a global people. It serves as a reminder of the power of solidarity for a better, brighter future. As a social entrepreneur, Edna Liliana is the creator of the Vive Tu Pelo Afro project, which promotes empowerment and identity strengthening among Black women in various regions of the country. She is also a partner and legal representative of the Africabellos identity and Aesthetics Center, a unique space in the country specializing in care for afro and curly hair.
he holds a degree in social communication with an emphasis on international journalism and communication for development. As a news anchor and reporter, she has covered international stories in around 20
countries. She is an expert in Afro-Latin American studies, certified by Harvard University. Additionally, she served as a consultant for Disney Animation Studios on Afro representation for the film Encanto, nspired by Colombia.
Join Edna at the Sierra Leone 64th Independence Weekend Celebration to engage, network, and be inspired by her vision for unity, empowerment, and cultural connection.
