HITDC Educational Scholarship Program Fundraising Campaign Reception
PRESS RELEASE: Houston International Trade Development Council (HITDC) launches Educational Scholarship Program with the National Port Authority of Liberia with a Soft-Rollout Fundraising Campaign Reception The Houston International Trade Development Council (HITDC), in collaboration with the National Port Authority of Liberia (NPA) Scholarship Committee, are launching the NPA Educational Scholarship program soft-rollout fundraising campaign to help raise funds for academic scholarships for deserving Liberian students and/or NPA employees to help build their capacity and strengthen their technical skills. A reception will be held with the NPA of Liberia’s Managing Director Honorable Diana Nebo and her distinguished delegation from Liberia, including the Minister of Commerce and Industry Honorable Mawine Diggs, on Friday, June 23, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at The International Trade Center – Houston, 1111 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77072. “As President of HITDC and in partnership with the NPA Scholarship Committee, we are excited to be a partner with NPA in this important endeavor to assist in the building up of NPA – a national treasure of Liberia – by helping to educate Liberians with academic scholarships in Business Management, Administration, Leadership, Science Technology Engineering or Math (STEM), in Liberal Arts, and/or Port Management, where the fundraising goal for 2023-2024 is to help raise $70,000,” stated Mr. Val Thompson, NPA Scholarship Administrator. The National Port Authority of Liberia Scholarship Program (NPASP) was established in 2022 in collaboration with the National Port Authority of Liberia (NPA), and HITDC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas. HITDC will be responsible for managing the scholarship program on behalf of the NPA. The Scholarship program is open to Liberian students and/or students of Liberian descent (residing in Liberia at the time of applying for a scholarship) pursuing a post-secondary education at a U.S. or Liberian College or University and/or NPA employees seeking to further their education. Honorable Diana Nebo, Managing Director of the NPA states “As the NPA strives to help educate and train the Liberian workforce of tomorrow, we believe the NPA Scholarship Program will strengthen technical skills in port management, logistics, administration, leadership development that will also help to improve the quality of life for Liberians. We are excited to partner with HITDC and look forward to a fruitful relationship to help lift Liberia.” Honorable Cynthia L. Blandford, Managing Director of Blandford Thompson Consulting, LLC., states that “it is an honor and privilege to be a part of this exciting initiative and to have the NPA as a partner and client to help further their vision to be the Maritime Gateway to Liberia and the Gateway to Liberia’s Economy where their Strategic Vision is to Become a Premier Port Authority in the West African Region. We believe this scholarship program will help strengthen the NPA as a national treasure, and we look forward to the future together.” The NPA Scholarship Committee will also consider developing Experiential Learning, Study Abroad, and Student Exchange programs at a later date, pursuant to funding availability. All those who receive a scholarship to study abroad must return to Liberia after receiving their degree and/or training and provide a briefing and to participate in an Internship Program, as applicable. After completing their study, those attending an institution in Liberia must present a […]
Read more
International Focus (iF) Magazine Atlanta Press Release
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Inaugural Edition of the International Focus (iF) Magazine Atlanta. The major benefit of this new print magazine is its global focus on the Diplomatic Corp & Trade Offices, International Businesses and NGOs. For more information, please contact Cynthia L. Blandford, Publisher & CFO International Focus (iF) Magazine (Atlanta) PRESS RELEASE: A DIPLOMAT AND NOW PUBLISHER LAUNCHES NEW INTERNATIONAL FOCUS MAGAZINE IN ATL The International Focus (iF) Magazine will be celebrating the rollout of the magazine in Atlanta, Georgia, with a reception in early February 2022 as a new voice working to help increase Atlanta’s visibility as a true global city with international reach and promise. The private event will be held at the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MAC) by invitation only. “I would not have imagined that the COVID-19 virus would have allowed the sprouting of innovative ideas, unexpected friendships and new business ventures that seemed unimaginable in light of a pandemic that wreaked havoc all over the world.” As God would have it, it did, stated Cynthia L. Blandford, the new Publisher, and CFO of the International Focus (iF) Magazine in Atlanta, Georgia. iF Magazine was born out of Houston, Texas in 2016, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Val Thompson, CEO and Publisher and expanded into the Atlanta market in January of this year. Blandford notes that in April 2021, Mr. Val Thompson called to request an interview to write about her journey to become the first African-American female Honorary Consul in Liberia’s 175-year history. He flew to Atlanta, Georgia, with a photographer and she notes with pleasure that “it was an honor to be placed on the front cover of the June-July 2021 iF Magazine and to share a first blush of my memoires.” Publisher Blandford stated that “I was impressed with Val’s understanding of the power of diplomacy and that of the Diplomatic Corps, and we both understood how powerful cities like Atlanta could help promote international trade and development and become a center for global commerce at a much higher-level.” As Honorary Consul Blandford found herself in parallel with his vision to highlight the work and stories of the international community and that of her peers in the Diplomatic Corps, in late 2021, accepted Thompson’s offer to be the Publisher and CFO of iF in Atlanta. So, as it seems, Blandford is now a Publisher and a Diplomat, and she looks forward to interviewing members of the Atlanta Diplomatic Corp, international businesses, and partners where information and insights can be shared. “We are all about promoting the great City of Atlanta where the City of Atlanta is also home to more than 70 consular and trade offices, 40 bi-national chambers of commerce and more than 2,700 international businesses and where we also have the most efficient and busiest airport in the world with ATL!” iF Magazines Publisher and CEO Mr. Val Thompson, located in Houston, Texas, had his sights on Atlanta a few years ago as a part of iF’s expansion strategy into new markets as Atlanta was quickly being recognized as a go-to destination. […]
Read more
The Liberian Consulate in Georgia partners with Brussels Airlines to boost Travel, Tourism and Investment in Liberia
PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate release Contact: Cynthia Blandford Email: cblandford@liberianconsulatega.com Phone: 404-565-1154 ATLANTA – January 10, 2018 – The Liberian Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, is pleased to congratulate President-Elect Mr. George Weah and Vice President-Elect Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor on a successful election in Liberia and is happy for the peaceful transfer of power to the new government. Congratulations! The Consul General is also pleased to announce a partnership with Brussels Airlines to promote a quality travel experience to guests traveling to Liberia in 2018 to help boost travel, tourism and investment in the country. Brussels Airlines motto is, “We go the extra smile” because they work tirelessly to make traveling a pleasure for its guests. With Brussels Airlines award winning Business Class offerings, Economy Privilege cabin and Economy cabin, Brussels Airlines is ready to serve you. Liberia is Open for Business, and for those traveling for the presidential Inaugural events in Monrovia, Brussels Airlines is the airline of choice!
Read more
