Dr. Herbert C. Brewer, Liberia’s 179th Independence Day Orator
By Jonathan O. Grigsby, Snr. Contributor Writer
Occasionally, every key observance of a day in Liberia, the Government of Liberia selects a Liberian from any professional sector to serve as orator or keynote speaker. That individual can either be within Liberia or in Diaspora, who will now had the sole responsibility to speak to his or her compatriots on a selected theme for that celebration. Though, the orator may have other things outline in his or her well prepared speech, it must align with the specific theme selected for the occasion.
For Liberia’s 179th Independence Day Celebration, which will be held on Monday, 27 July 2026 in the Port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, the orator is Dr. Herbert C. Brewer, a Liberian in the United States of America (the USA). But who is Dr. Herbert C. Brewer, that will be speaking to his fellow Liberians for diverse sectors of the country – the marketers, yana-boys, motorbike and tricycle riders, drivers, students, religious, traditional, the physical challenged, academicians, members of the three branches of government, public and private sectors workers, among others.
Who is Dr. Herbert C. Brewer?
Dr. Herbert C. Brewer is currently the Director of the Benjamin Banneker Humanities and Social Sciences Institute at the Morgan Stste University in the United States. Dr. Brewer is also an Associate Professor in the Department of History, Geography, and Museum Studies at Morgan State University. A position he has held since 2024, after serving as an Assistant Professor from 2017 – 2024.
He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History from the University of Maryland, where Dr. Herbert specialized in African-American History, Atlantic World History, and United States History. Dr. Brewer also obtained both his Master of Arts (M.A.), and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in History from the same University. From 2018 – 2022, Dr. Brewer served as Director of the African-American and African Diaspora Studies Program in the James Gilliam, Jr. College of Liberal Arts at the Morgan State University. His academic career also includes more than a decade as a Lecturer in he Department of History and Geography at Morgan University from 2008 – 2017.
Before assuming his leadership roles at Morgan State, Dr. Brewer served as a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Adjunct Professor of History at Howard Community College, and Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Maryland, College Park. He previously worked as an Administrator at the Center for Historical Studies from 2002 to 2004, and served as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of History from 2000 – 2005.
Dr. Herbert Brewer Author and Scholar on Liberia’s Historical Legacy
Beyond his academic career, Dr. Brewer is a prolific researcher and writer whose work focuses on history, identity, and the experiences of people of African descent.
His forthcoming book, “The Diasporic Republic: Rethinking the Making of Liberia,” is scheduled for publication by Lexington Books in 2027. The book examines Liberia’s historical formation and explores new perspectives on the country’s relationship with the African diaspora. He is also the editor of the sixth edition of “The African Diaspora Experience,” another major scholarly work expected to be published in 2027.
The 2026 Independence celebration will be held under the theme: “Strengthening National Identity Through Liberian-led Historical Leadership.”
As National Orator, many Liberians will be listening to Dr. Brewer, and expecting him to deliver an address focused on Liberia’s historical journey, the resilience of its people, and the importance of collective responsibility in promoting peace, national unity, development, and social cohesion.
With the recent phenomena that has engulfed the nation and its people as huge quantities of necrotic substances have been confiscated around Monrovia and its environs, which had now become troublesome amongst the population, maybe inclusive of his speech, and with meaningful recommendations to help the government and state security apparatus to address.
The issues of narcotic substances have been low key, though the US State Department in its annual reports, always highlighting Liberia, as one of the major transit hub for drug reach to other continents, around the world places our country under the spotlight. As such, indeed solutions need to be found and the can be done with citizens complimenting national government’s efforts, as friend always saying: Whenever you see or hear a good thing say it – for our county to get better”.
Dr. Brewer selection comes at a time when the government is emphasizing the role of history, culture, and national identity in shaping Liberia’s future.
Many have the belief that he will also speak on how divided Liberians are and maybe make good recommendations.
