By Kruah Thompson
MONROVIA, July 14, 2026 – The Government of Liberia has announced the appointment of Dr. Herbert Brewer as the national orator for the country’s upcoming 179th Independence Day celebration, set for July 26.
Dr. Brewer, a historian and academic, holds a PhD in History from the University of Maryland, specializing in African American, Atlantic World, and United States History. He also earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in History from the same institution.
Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Daniel O. Sando, confirmed the appointment during a press briefing in Monrovia. He said Dr. Brewer currently serves as Director of the Benjamin Quarles Humanities and Social Sciences Institute at Morgan State University.
According to Sando, Dr. Brewer has also served as an Associate Professor in the Department of History, Geography, and Museum Studies at Morgan State since 2024, following a seven-year tenure as Assistant Professor. He was Director of the African American and African Diaspora Studies Program at the James H. Gilliam Jr. College of Liberal Arts from 2018 to 2022.
Dr. Brewer’s previous academic experience includes lecturing at Georgetown University from 2008 to 2017 and serving as a Maryland Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has held positions as Adjunct Professor at Howard Community College and Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, among other roles.
“Dr. Brewer has a distinguished record of research and teaching. His full profile will be published on the Ministry’s website for wider public access,” Sando said.
Sando highlighted Dr. Brewer’s authorship and editorial work, including titles such as The Diasporic Republic: Rethinking the Making of Liberia and the forthcoming sixth edition of The African Diaspora. Brewer is also working on a biography of Liberia’s first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, with more publications expected in 2027.
Dr. Brewer’s articles cover topics such as Liberian history, the African Diaspora, and Black identity, with works published in various academic journals.
He has also contributed to public scholarship through media appearances and interviews. The Ministry of Information will publish his complete profile online.
Sando said this year’s orator is expected to reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to unity, patriotism, historical reflection, and national renewal.
The 179th Independence Day celebration will be held under the theme, “Strengthening National Identity Through Liberian-Led Historical Leadership.”
According to the government, the theme calls on all Liberians to strengthen the values, institutions, and leadership traditions that shape the nation’s identity and future.
