Nathaniel Barnes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathaniel Barnes
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Barnes in 2021
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| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1999–2002 |
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| President | Charles Taylor |
| Preceded by | John G. Bestman |
| Succeeded by | Charles R. G. Bright |
| Liberian Ambassador to the United States | |
| In office 9 September 2008 – 2010 |
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| President | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf |
| Preceded by | Charles A. Minor |
| Succeeded by | Jeremiah Sulunteh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 April 1954 (age 71) Monrovia, Liberia |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberia Destiny Party Free Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Dr. Dawn Cooper Barnes |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | Rider University, B.SC., Pace University, MBA |
Milton Nathaniel Barnes was born in 1954. He is a well-known Liberian diplomat and politician. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. He was once a member of the Liberia Destiny Party (LDP). In early 2022, he shared his plan to run for president of Liberia in 2023. He ran as an independent candidate, meaning he was not part of a specific political party at that time.
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Early Life and Education
Nathaniel Barnes was born in Monrovia, Liberia. His parents were Roland T. and Eudora N. Barnes. He was the second of four children in his family. He spent his younger years in Harper and Monrovia, two cities in Liberia.
He finished high school at the College of West Africa. After that, he studied for a short time at the University of Liberia. Before going to college in the United States, he worked as an intern in Liberia's banking system.
In 1975, Barnes went to Rider University in New Jersey, USA. He studied Finance and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1978. The next year, in 1979, he received his MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Finance and Banking from Pace University in New York City.
Political Career Highlights
In September 1999, Barnes was chosen to be the Minister of Finance for Liberia. This meant he was in charge of the country's money matters. He helped create Liberia's financial plans. He also put a new national tax system into action. He worked with the International Monetary Fund on these plans. He held this important job until mid-2002.
In January 2004, Barnes started a new political group called the Liberia Destiny Party (LDP). He ran for president in the 2005 Liberian election. He came in 12th place out of 22 candidates. He received 1.0% of the votes. Later, he supported Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She became the first woman president in Africa to be chosen by the people.
From May 2006 to 2008, Barnes served as Liberia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. This role meant he represented Liberia at the United Nations. The United Nations is an organization where countries work together on global issues.
During the same time (2006-2008), Barnes was also Liberia's Ambassador to Cuba. An ambassador is a country's top representative in another country. He played a key role in making diplomatic ties with Cuba strong again.
In 2008, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed Barnes as Liberia's Ambassador to the United States. This is a very important role. He served as ambassador until 2010.
In December 2010, Barnes thought about running for president again in the 2011 election. However, in July 2011, he announced that his party, the LDP, would not be running for president.
By May 2014, the National Elections Commission tried to remove the LDP as a recognized party. Instead of fighting this, Barnes joined another party. He became part of the Free Democratic Party by October 2015. This party was part of a larger group called the National Democratic Coalition.
In January 2022, Barnes announced his plan to run for president again. This was for the 2023 Liberian presidential election. He ran as an independent candidate. His main ideas were "Reconciliation, Positive Change, Self-Reliance." He also wanted "a New Breed of Liberian Leaders." These leaders would show "Character, Competence and Courage."
Honors and Awards
In May 2009, Rider University gave Nathaniel Barnes a special award. The president of the university, Dr. Mordechai Rozanski, gave him an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. This is a high honor given for achievements.
Personal Life and Interests
Nathaniel Barnes is married to Dr. Dawn Cooper Barnes. Dawn's father, Henry Nehemiah Cooper, M.D., and her mother, Izetta Cooper, started the Cooper Clinic in Monrovia. Nathaniel and Dawn grew up in the same neighborhood in Monrovia. Nathaniel's mother was Dawn's elementary school teacher. Dawn's father was the Barnes family doctor.
Dawn Barnes is a talented filmmaker. She has written, directed, and produced several films. These include Cry of the Pepperbird: A Story of Liberia (2000) and Children of Gold (2002). She also produced a Liberian TV comedy show called WE ON IT! The couple has six children.
In 2010, Barnes started his own consulting company, Aurora Solutions, Inc. Since 2010, he has also taught at the University of Liberia and African Methodist Episcopal University. He enjoys abstract painting as a hobby. In 2020, his artwork was featured in a book called Left Brain Right Brain: Thoughts and Musings of a Servant.
