Travel Ban, Mpox and Power Crisis: Celebrating Sierra Leone Amidst the Noise
I'm sending this out because, frankly, if I don't, you might never know. And with so much heavy news swirling around Sierra Leone, I refuse to let it overshadow the incredible strides we're making to "Make Sierra Leone Famous" for all the right reasons.
Just this week, Bakie's publicist daughter (that's me!) saw her client grace the red carpet at the BET Awards in LA. I'm sharing this because, in a world often saturated with negative narratives about Salone, it's crucial to spotlight our triumphs. I vehemently reject the single-story narrative about Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone News Headlines
You've likely heard the headlines that paint a different picture:
The US Travel Ban: As of June 9, the Trump administration's travel ban means the US will no longer issue non-immigrant visas to Sierra Leoneans.
Mpox Outbreak: Sierra Leone unfortunately leads the continent in Mpox cases.
Power Crisis Looming: Kapowership, the floating power station that keeps Freetown lit, has cut off electricity supply due to unpaid arrears. They usually provide 50MW now that’s down to 6MW. Government owes them millions of dollars.
The past 12 months have been the toughest yet for the "Make Sierra Leone Famous" campaign (Cocaine news has taken Sierra Leone’s news feed by storm). For every trending human interest story my team and I have amplified, national news has countered with an even darker cloud.
For nearly two decades, I've been dedicated to shaping Sierra Leone's narrative, using multimedia content to amplify the issues that truly matter to us. From the "Vickie Remoe Show" and SwitSalone.com to the "Make Sierra Leone Famous" podcast, we've showcased Sierra Leonean issues, celebrated our achievements, and provided essential context and meaning to our news.
Post-pandemic, I pivoted from online conversations to vibrant, community-focused events. I immersed myself in culture, art, and business – curating panels, organizing conferences, writing books, and producing the biggest concerts for Sierra Leonean artists abroad in London and the DMV.
Sierra Leone at the BET Awards 2025
And then there's Drizilik. Just this week, this phenomenal Sierra Leonean artist from Freetown broke new ground at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. He's the first independent artist based in Salone ever to be invited to walk the red carpet alongside the brightest Black talent from both the US and the Continent. To share that space with icons like Tyler Perry or Snoop Dogg? It’s beyond the wildest dreams of any Sierra Leonean entertainer, and yet, there we were.
As his publicist, I poured my heart into securing that opportunity (pounded pavement with my yellow backpack) . Growing up in the US, I understand the importance of being in the right spaces at the right time. Opportunity won't just come knocking on our door in Sierra Leone; I am relentlessly focused on building our "lungi bridge" to the US and the world.
Next month, Drizilik is set to perform at the legendary Howard Theater in DC, joined by some of Sierra Leone’s most talented musicians. This will be the third such community gathering I've produced, following successful events in London last year and our first in DC.
We'd envisioned this as an annual tradition. However, with the new travel restrictions in effect since Monday, a stark realization has dawned: this concert could very well be the last for all the artists who've traveled from Sierra Leone to perform. Their visas will eventually expire, and the US embassy won't be renewing them.
What was billed as Sierra Leone’s biggest night for music in the DMV might just be its grand finale.
While I cannot single-handedly change the current status quo, what I absolutely will not do is let this cloud rain on my "Make Sierra Leone Famous" parade.
I will continue to be that bridge, to champion Sierra Leone with every fiber of my being.
So, mark your calendars: This July 5th, Drizilik and the Freetown Uncut Band will deliver a powerful 90-minute live music set – a vibrant cultural celebration of Sierra Leone and her incredible people, right here in the capital of the United States.
If you’re looking for a good time and a true sense of community, consider this your personal invitation to join us.
