Recognition matters — not because awards are everything, but because they shine a light on leadership that is already making a difference. In the Spring 2019 issue of Voices Magazine, Ryan Daniel is highlighted in the “Our Community” section as one of the leaders recognized by the St. Cloud Times through its annual 5 Under 40 awards. The feature is short, but it communicates something meaningful: local leadership becomes stronger when it is rooted in community involvement, and when it inspires impact across generations.
The magazine identifies Ryan Daniel as the CEO of Metro Bus in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and notes that he was among five others who received the St. Cloud Times’ annual 5 Under 40 awards. What’s important about this recognition is the reason behind it. The awards, as described, recognize leaders in local businesses who also embrace community involvement that makes a difference across generations. That phrase is significant because it makes the criteria clear: leadership is not measured only by position or business performance. It is measured by how a leader shows up for the community and creates influence that extends beyond a single moment.
The St. Cloud Times awards are described as being in their 14th year, which suggests a long-running tradition of recognizing emerging leadership. A program that lasts that long generally reflects an ongoing effort to identify and encourage the kinds of leaders who shape local communities with both vision and service. Voices Magazine includes this detail to emphasize that the recognition is part of an established, consistent platform — not a one-time mention.
The selection process is also described with some detail. According to the magazine, a selection committee chose the group, and that committee was made up of last year’s 5 Under 40 winners and two Times employees. This matters because it suggests both experience and local insight were involved. Past winners bring perspective on what meaningful leadership looks like in the community, and the publication’s representatives provide the editorial structure and credibility behind the selection.
The recognition itself included an event: winners enjoyed an honoring reception and program at the Regency Plaza hotel in downtown St. Cloud. This detail adds a sense of public celebration — a formal moment where leadership is acknowledged in a way that is visible, communal, and memorable. These ceremonies do more than give out titles; they create a public narrative that leadership and community service are valued. They encourage other young professionals to pursue leadership with the understanding that impact matters.
Voices Magazine then shifts from the award itself to something even more connected to its own mission: Ryan Daniel’s relationship with the magazine and the broader immigrant community. The feature notes that Ryan continues to promote Voices Magazine in the St. Cloud area as a medium to recognize, empower, and attract talents from the African immigrant community. This is a key point — because it shows Ryan’s engagement isn’t limited to his own recognition. The highlight is not only “Ryan won an award,” but also “Ryan uses his platform to lift others.”
This aligns directly with what community-based publications aim to do: amplify stories that might otherwise remain unseen. Voices Magazine positions itself as a platform for recognition and empowerment, and Ryan’s continued promotion of the magazine in St. Cloud suggests that he values that mission. Supporting a medium that highlights African immigrant talent is a form of community investment. It increases visibility. It encourages pride. It helps connect people to stories that inspire.
The phrase “recognize, empower, and attract talents” carries multiple meanings. Recognize implies visibility and appreciation — showing that immigrant talent is present and significant. Empower implies support — encouraging individuals and communities to step forward, lead, build, and grow. Attract implies expansion — creating an environment where talent feels welcomed, valued, and drawn into opportunities. In many communities, talent exists but is underexposed. When someone uses a platform like a magazine to highlight those voices, it strengthens the network around that talent.
Ryan’s inclusion in the 5 Under 40 awards also carries an unspoken message about immigrant communities and local leadership: leadership can be inclusive. It can reflect the diversity of the people who live and work in the region. And it can create spaces where African immigrant contributions are seen as part of the community’s progress — not separate from it.
Even though the Voices Magazine write-up is brief, it gives readers enough to understand why Ryan Daniel was highlighted. He is connected to a major local role (CEO of Metro Bus). He was recognized by a long-running local award program. The award focuses not only on business leadership, but also on community involvement across generations. And beyond the award, Ryan is shown as someone who actively supports a platform that elevates immigrant stories and talent.
That combination is what makes this story important. It’s not simply about one person receiving recognition. It’s about what recognition can represent: a signal that community-rooted leadership is valued, and that leaders can use their influence to shine light on others.
In that sense, Ryan Daniel’s feature becomes more than a news mention. It becomes a reminder that leadership is strongest when it is shared — and that building community stature often involves celebrating and promoting the talent around you, not just your own achievements.
Community festivals carry a unique power: they gather people, celebrate culture, and create a space where identity becomes visible and shared. In the Spring 2019 issue of Voices Magazine, the announcement for the 3rd Annual Taste of Liberia Cultural Festival and Gala Event does exactly that — it invites the community into a celebration that blends culture, cuisine, and a meaningful cause.
The magazine clearly states the event is happening on Saturday, September 7, 2019. That date is more than a calendar detail; it’s a marker of continuity. This is the third annual event, which suggests a growing tradition — something that is becoming a consistent cultural moment for the community. Annual events build identity over time, and by the third year, people begin to recognize that this is something to look forward to and take pride in.
The core focus of the festival, as listed in the magazine, includes food, culture, and tourism. Each of these pieces matters because each one represents a different way the community connects to Liberia. Food is memory and comfort. Culture is heritage and identity. Tourism is connection to place and the broader story of the nation. Together, these themes suggest an event designed not only for entertainment, but also for deeper cultural engagement.
But the announcement adds another powerful dimension: the festival will also highlight information and details about Sickle Cell Disease and the fight for a cure. That makes this gathering more than a cultural celebration; it becomes a community awareness moment. It communicates that culture and community responsibility can exist in the same space. When a festival includes health education and awareness, it strengthens the community by encouraging conversations that matter — not only about celebration, but also about wellbeing.
The magazine outlines what attendees can expect during the event. It states the festival will feature a Liberian foods buffet and innovative cuisine sampling. This combination is important: a buffet suggests abundance and variety — a full experience of Liberian flavors — while innovative sampling suggests creativity and modern expression. It shows that the event values tradition while also welcoming fresh interpretations of Liberian cuisine.
The announcement also mentions specialty Liberian alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This adds another layer of cultural experience. Drinks, like food, often carry cultural identity — flavors, ingredients, and presentation styles that reflect heritage. By including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, the event suggests inclusivity — something for everyone to enjoy.
Another major highlight described is an awards ceremony. According to the magazine, this ceremony will recognize Liberian Americans or Liberian nationals, and organizations that have been pivotal in changing the country’s narrative and moving it to a better future. This is a powerful mission statement. It suggests that the festival is not only about entertainment, but also about recognition — honoring individuals and groups who contribute to progress, upliftment, and positive change.
The phrase “changing the country’s narrative” is especially meaningful. Narratives influence how people view a nation and a community. When a diaspora community organizes an awards ceremony around positive change, it becomes a way of emphasizing hope and progress. It tells the community: we are not only defined by struggle — we are also defined by impact, resilience, and forward movement. Recognizing people and organizations in this way strengthens pride and encourages continued contribution.
A festival like this also creates connection. Many members of the Liberian diaspora live across different cities and states, and events like Taste of Liberia become meeting points — where people see each other, build relationships, and reinforce cultural ties. Even for those who are not Liberian, the event becomes an educational experience — a space to learn, taste, and understand. The magazine’s focus on culture and tourism suggests that it aims to present Liberia in a positive, attractive light — highlighting what makes it rich, unique, and worth exploring.
The inclusion of Sickle Cell Disease awareness shows the organizers are using the cultural platform for something deeper. Health challenges can affect communities quietly, and awareness is often the first step toward change. When a cultural festival dedicates space to health information and the fight for a cure, it shows the community is thinking about both celebration and care. It communicates that showing love for culture also means showing responsibility for people.
The magazine includes a website for further information, which signals that the festival is organized with public access and outreach in mind. Announcements like this in a community magazine matter because they reach the very people the festival is designed for — those who want to stay connected to Liberian culture, those who want to support community causes, and those who want to celebrate and uplift.
In summary, the Taste of Liberia Cultural Festival and Gala is presented as a multi-layered event: a celebration of Liberian identity through food, culture, and tourism; a community awareness effort around Sickle Cell Disease and the fight for a cure; and a recognition space honoring individuals and organizations shaping a better future and narrative for Liberia.
That blend is what makes the event meaningful. It isn’t only a party. It’s a cultural statement. It’s an educational platform. It’s a recognition stage. And it’s a reminder that culture can be celebrated while also serving the community in real and lasting ways.
