LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF METRO ATLANTA
ABOUT US
The Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA), previously known as the Liberian Community Association of Georgia, began in September of 1976 as a non-profit student organization. LAMA was organized to promote peace, unity, progress and social awareness among citizens of the Republic of Liberia residing within Metropolitan Atlanta; maintain Liberia’s cultural and traditional heritage and values; serve as a forum for the exchange of views among Liberians; assist and support specific development projects for community empowerment; encourage educational endeavors among members; attend to the welfare of members in such instances or circumstances as bereavement, sickness, immigration issues and special achievements (i.e., graduations and weddings)
Today, LAMA continues to serve as an umbrella organization for all Liberians, Liberian community organizations and religious groups. The organization strives to promote peace, love, unity, interactions, and exchange of views. We engage in activities that will improve the lives of our people while working in partnership and collaboration with other organizations. We are a non-profit organization, registered with IRS and hold a 501c-3 status. We exist to serve the community.
OUR PRESIDENT
My 7-Point Vision for a New LAMA
Over the next two years we will accomplish the following:
1. We will establish the Liberian Community Center. Our vision is a center that will be an expression of Liberian and African pride. In addition to meeting and activity rooms, the center will display Liberian and African Arts and offer a mix of Liberian creative works for sale. Space will be available for rent for community and personal events. The center will also host a career resource center in partnership with the Georgia Department of Labor; and an immigration counseling and advisory service in partnership with local immigration attorneys offering free services.
2. We will organize annual leadership development seminars targeting community and church leaders; and leaders of LAMA. In addition to building leadership skills, the seminars will be an opportunity to build relationships and rapport across various groups in the community—with county associations, alumni associations, and sports organizations.
3. We will form a youth wing of LAMA under the leadership of young people in the community who can be role models to their peers. The focus will be on building Liberia cultural pride and knowledge through events that feature the positive aspects of our national history and traditions, sporting events, and career coaching and mentoring. The youth wing will also host a multicultural summer retreat for Liberian and other African youths in the Atlanta metro area.
4. We will aggressively support public higher education development in Liberia. This will entail a Scholarship Fund managed autonomously by a Board accountable to the General Assembly. We will empower the Board to raise funds, organize and manage scholarship programs, and solicit textbook donations for libraries and academic courses.
5. We will build relationships with other Diaspora organizations in the Atlanta Metro Area, especially those in counties with significant number of residents. Through these relationships we will seek to influence political decision making and processes that effect our community.
6. We will triple the number of registered and due-paying members in two years and encourage attendance and active participation in all community events.
7. Finally, we will strengthen the internal management arrangements for LAMA. Our goal will be to ensure greater transparency and accountability in financial transactions, strengthen the oversight responsibility of the Board, and prepare LAMA to receive and manage larger grants and donations, from business partnerships, state and federal funding sources, and from more membership dues.
