For Immediate Release
International Festival Will Unite Music, Education, Tourism, and Cultural Diplomacy While Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young
OAKLAND, Calif., July 28, 2026 — Golden Buffalo Publications and the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations (NCBVO) today announced the appointment of the principal planning team that will lead development of the International Blues Festival in Monrovia, Liberia, a landmark cultural event proposed for New Year’s 2029 and titled “Monrovia in the Blues.”
Conceived as an international celebration of music, history, education, and cultural diplomacy, the festival is proposed to become one of Africa’s premier cultural tourism events, bringing together internationally acclaimed musicians, educators, historians, government leaders, tourism professionals, and members of the global African Diaspora.
Inspired by the remarkable life and diplomatic legacy of Brigadier General Charles Young, who served two tours as United States Military Attaché to Liberia, the festival seeks to strengthen the historic friendship between Liberia and the United States while promoting tourism, economic development, educational exchange, and international cultural cooperation.
As an important next step in the planning process, the Festival Planning Team has formally requested a meeting with His Excellency Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to the United States, to discuss the proposed initiative and explore the Government of Liberia’s participation in evaluating the feasibility of the project. Organizers believe that collaboration with the Government of Liberia during the planning stage will be essential in determining how the festival can best advance the nation’s objectives in tourism, cultural preservation, education, international investment, and economic development while ensuring that the initiative reflects Liberia’s vision and priorities.
“Monrovia in the Blues is much more than a music festival,” said Charles Blatcher III, Chairman of the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations and Publisher of Golden Buffalo Publications. “It is a platform for cultural diplomacy, international friendship, heritage tourism, and educational collaboration. Our vision is to establish a signature international event that celebrates the shared history of Africa and the African Diaspora while creating meaningful economic and cultural opportunities for the people of Liberia. We look forward to meeting with Ambassador Conteh to discuss how this initiative may complement Liberia’s long-term cultural and tourism development goals.”
Distinguished Leadership Team
Charles Blatcher III
Project Director
Charles Blatcher III will serve as Project Director for the international initiative. A nationally respected military historian, publisher, museum founder, and veteran advocate, Blatcher has devoted more than four decades to preserving African American military history and promoting international historical recognition.
Among his many accomplishments are leading the successful national campaign that secured the posthumous promotion of Colonel Charles Young to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army, establishing the Kentucky/Ohio Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor, coordinating international recognition ceremonies with the Governments of Liberia, Haiti, and France, and publishing Reveille, a military history tabloid dedicated to preserving the legacy of minority veterans.
His extensive experience in historical preservation, international collaboration, public education, and cultural programming provides the foundation for the vision behind Monrovia in the Blues.
Tom “Dr. Love” Davis
Promotion/Talent Coordinator
International broadcaster and music industry veteran Tom “Dr. Love” Davis has been appointed Executive Music Director.
A National Black Radio Hall of Fame inductee, Davis brings more than forty years of experience producing major music festivals, booking internationally recognized artists, developing sponsorships, and promoting cultural tourism.
His distinguished career includes leadership roles with Atlanta’s internationally acclaimed Sweet Auburn Music Festival, King Fest, international promotions for Jamaica’s legendary Reggae Sunsplash Festival, and cultural initiatives throughout Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.
His international relationships throughout the music industry will play a vital role in attracting world-class talent and establishing Liberia as a premier destination for cultural tourism.
Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber
Director of Education and Cultural Programming
The educational component of the festival will be led by Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, one of the nation’s most respected public historians and academic leaders.
Currently serving as Director of the Humanities and Criminology Division at the University of the District of Columbia Community College, Dr. Jowers-Barber has built an outstanding career in higher education leadership, public history, curriculum development, historical preservation, and community engagement.
She will oversee the festival’s academic symposiums, educational forums, oral history initiatives, cultural exhibitions, student exchanges, and university partnerships designed to make Monrovia in the Blues an internationally recognized educational experience as well as a cultural celebration.
“The educational mission of this festival is central to its success,” said Dr. Jowers-Barber. “Through scholarship, dialogue, historical interpretation, and cultural exchange, we have an extraordinary opportunity to deepen international understanding while inspiring future generations to appreciate the shared heritage that connects Africa and the global African Diaspora.”
Dr. Rhonda D. Jones
Director of Global Heritage Futures and Public Humanities
Internationally recognized public historian and heritage scholar Dr. Rhonda D. Jones will serve as Director of Global Heritage Futures and Public Humanities for Monrovia in the Blues.
Founder and Executive Director of Your Heritage Matters™, Dr. Jones is the creator of Global Heritage Futures, an interdisciplinary framework that integrates public history, archival studies, memory studies, digital humanities, trauma-informed practice, and heritage preservation to strengthen communities through international cultural exchange and collaborative stewardship of history. Her work demonstrates how cultural heritage can advance education, restorative healing, cultural diplomacy, and sustainable international partnerships.
Working alongside the festival’s educational leadership, Dr. Jones will direct the heritage, public humanities, and international cultural engagement initiatives that will transform Monrovia in the Blues from a week-long music festival into a year-round global program of scholarship, public engagement, and community collaboration. Her responsibilities will include developing Global Heritage Futures Conversations, heritage immersion experiences, public humanities forums, community archives initiatives, digital heritage programming, and international collaborations connecting Liberia, the United States, and the global African Diaspora.
“Monrovia in the Blues presents an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate how cultural heritage can become an active force for education, restorative healing, international understanding, and community resilience,” said Dr. Jones. “By connecting music, history, archives, cultural landscapes, and public dialogue, we can create a living model of heritage that not only preserves the past but empowers communities to build more just, connected, and hopeful futures together.”
Senator Gerald A. Neal
Senior Government and Public Policy Advisor
Kentucky Senate Democratic Floor Leader Senator Gerald A. Neal will serve as Senior Government and Public Policy Advisor.
A respected attorney, educator, and legislator, Senator Neal has served continuously in the Kentucky Senate since 1989 and has earned national recognition for his leadership in education, civil rights, public policy, and government affairs.
His leadership in establishing the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor and his extensive governmental relationships provide valuable experience in developing public-private partnerships supporting this international initiative.
Representative George A. Brown, Jr.
Community and Government Relations Advisor
Kentucky State Representative George A. Brown, Jr. will serve as Community and Government Relations Advisor.
Representative Brown’s extensive background in state government, municipal leadership, economic development, education, and community engagement will assist the project in building strong relationships with governmental agencies, civic organizations, businesses, and community partners in both Liberia and the United States.
Looking Ahead
Festival organizers envision Monrovia in the Blues as an annual international destination event that showcases Liberia’s rich cultural heritage while generating significant tourism, investment, educational exchange, heritage preservation, public humanities initiatives, and cultural diplomacy opportunities. Through the combined leadership of internationally recognized scholars, historians, musicians, educators, government officials, and heritage professionals, the festival is designed to become a year-round platform for scholarship, cultural engagement, and international collaboration that strengthens ties between Liberia, the United States, and the global African Diaspora.
Pending the outcome of discussions with Liberian government officials and other strategic stakeholders, the Planning Team will continue evaluating the project’s operational feasibility, partnership opportunities, and long-range development strategy. The organizers envision the Government of Liberia as an important partner in shaping a festival that authentically reflects the nation’s cultural heritage while creating lasting benefits for its citizens and international visitors alike.
About Golden Buffalo Publications
Golden Buffalo Publications is dedicated to preserving and promoting African American military history through educational publications, documentaries, exhibitions, and public programming. Its flagship publication, Reveille, highlights the contributions of minority service members while encouraging historical preservation and civic engagement.
About the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations
The National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations is a national alliance committed to advocating for Black veterans, preserving military history, promoting civic participation, and strengthening partnerships that honor the service and sacrifices of African American veterans while advancing educational, historical, and cultural initiatives throughout the United States and internationally.
Media Contact
Charles Blatcher III
Chairman
National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations
Publisher, Golden Buffalo Publications
Email: cnmmmf@aol.com
