New York (TADIAS) – During a ceremony held at the White House on Tuesday awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to several American political and cultural icons including Madeleine Albright (the 64th U.S. Secretary of State and the first woman to hold that position) President Obama related an anecdote from the remarkable and inspiring story of a child refugee from Czechoslovakia who lost her grandparents in the Holocaust, but rose to become America’s top diplomat.
“This is one of my favorite stories,” Obama said. “Once, at a naturalization ceremony, an Ethiopian man came up to her and said, ‘Only in America can a refugee meet the Secretary of State.’ And she replied, ‘Only in America can a refugee become the Secretary of State.'”
Albright currently serves as a Professor of International Relations at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.
Watch as Secretary Albright talks about her proudest accomplishments in the service of her adopted country:
New York (TADIAS) – Each week, as part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative, the White House recognizes champions from various sectors — ranging from educators to entrepreneurs and community leaders — and honors them for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.
Last week the White House recognized 14 “Champions of Change” who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa. In the next few weeks Tadias Magazine will feature an interview series with several of the champions.
We start with Ethiopian-born Solome Lemma, a philanthropist, activist, and organizer. She is currently a grantmaking program advisor at The Global Fund for Children (GFC). Solome is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Universities.
TADIAS: Solome, please tell our readers about yourself, where you grew up, your passions and top priorities?
Solome Lemma: I was born in Ethiopia and migrated to the US when I was 11. I lived in Marietta, GA for a year and spent the rest of my childhood in Los Angeles, California, until I went off to college. Since then I have lived in New York, DC, Boston, and Ethiopia and traveled to many countries in Africa. My passion is in seeing an Africa that is in charge of its own development and progress. An Africa that tells its own story, drives its own change, and sets its own agenda.
TADIAS: Through your non-profit work with the Global Fund for Children you have worked with grassroots organizations in over 25 countries in Africa. Can you share some of the highlights of that experience?
SL: Wow, so many incredible memories and highlights. I loved organizing a knowledge exchange conference in Senegal for grantee partners in English and French-speaking parts of West Africa. We held the exchange in Toubab Dialow, right on the beach and it was incredible to see people forge connections and lasting relationships despite the linguistic divides. After the conference, I had an opportunity to visit and stay with the great writer Ayi Kwei Armah. I will never forget him cooking dinner. We had a great conversation about Africa, literature, and following one’s authentic purpose. Throughout that Senegal trip, I remember saying to myself I can’t believe this is my life over and over again.
Sierra Leone was such a beautiful surprise. Before I traveled there, all I knew about the country was the long conflict . Once I got there, I found the most breathtaking, stunning place I have ever visited. Rolling hills, lush green trees, gorgeous white sand and Turuquoise water. River number two is a must visit. And While I am on that, Zanzibar still has a piece of my heart.
The most inspiring part of that work was meeting the incredible grassroots leaders who are the backbone of change in their communities. I have met the most driven, resourceful, creative, and impactful organizations in Africa. During my last visit in Mombasa, Kenya, I met with two brothers who were forced into the streets at the ages of 4 and 7. They lived on and off the streets into their teenage years. Today, they run am organization that works with children who live on the streets called Total War Against AIDS Foundation (TWAAYF). These two young men have turned their misfortunes into an incredible organization that uses the creative arts, music, education, and love to prevent other children from experiencing their fate.
Visiting the Joy Center in Ethiopia is always a great source of inspiration. The Joy Center is the first and only school for children with autism. I have visited the organization every two years since 2006 and it’s incredible for me to see the change in the students overtime. One particular young lady couldn’t move, speak, or eat on her own when I visited the first time. When I returned two years later, she was playing basketball and communicating with her teachers. Another two years later, she was talking to me. It’s a place where love and care make miracles.
TADIAS: Describe the project you are currently working on to focus on members of the Diaspora as agents of change.
SL: I am working to establish an organization that will promote philanthropy among the African Diaspora Community. We are the most educated immigrant group in America. The global African Diaspora sends $40 billion in remittances each year. Imagine how much change we can advance if we consolidate our resources to engage in collective philanthropy, supporting the work of African social change organizations. It’s time for us to step outside of the shadows of development and philanthropic organizations and take our rightful place as resources, sources, and agents of change.
—- Watch: Champions of Change in American Diaspora Communities Honored at the White House
New York (TADIAS) – Today the White House is honoring 14 “Champions of Change” who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa.
“These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges, the White House said in a statement. “The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.”
Among those highligeted include Nini Legesse, president of Wegene Ethiopian Foundation (WEF); Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Founder and Executive Director of Akili Dada — a leadership incubator investing in high-achieving young African women from underprivileged backgrounds; and Nunu Kidane, from Eritrea, founder and Director of Priority Africa Network (PAN) — an organization that provides advocacy for Africans in the Bay Area and beyond.
“These men and women are American leaders we want to celebrate,” said Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough. “We commend the innovative practices, achievements and leadership these change makers bring not only to their communities around this country, but also to the development of and diplomacy with their countries of origin.”
— Watch this event live at 3:00 pm ET January 30th.
New York (TADIAS) — President Obama has honored nine individuals and eight organizations as recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The mentors received their awards at a White House ceremony on Monday, December 12.
Administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring is awarded by the White House to individuals and organizations in recognition of the crucial role that mentoring plays in the academic and personal development of students studying science and engineering–particularly those who belong to groups that are underrepresented in these fields. By offering their expertise and encouragement, mentors help prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers while ensuring that tomorrow’s innovators reflect and benefit from the diverse talent of the United States.
Colleagues, administrators and students in their home institutions nominate candidates for the award. The mentoring can involve students at any grade level from elementary through graduate school. In addition to being honored at the White House, recipients receive awards of $25,000 from NSF to advance their mentoring efforts.
The mentors and organizations announced yesterday represent the winners for 2010 and 2011.
“Through their commitment to education and innovation, these individuals and organizations are playing a crucial role in the development of our 21st century workforce,” President Obama said when he first announced the awardees. “Our nation owes them a debt of gratitude for helping ensure that America remains the global leader in science and engineering for years to come.”
The individuals and organizations receiving the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring are:
2010
Solomon Bililign, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, N.C.
Peggy Cebe, Tufts University, Mass.
Roy Clarke, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich.
Amelito Enriquez, Cañada College, Calif.
Karen Panetta, Tufts University, Mass.
ACE Mentor Program of America, Conn., represented by Charles Thornton
Ocean Discovery Institute, Calif.
Women’s Health Science Program for High School Girls and Beyond, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ill., represented by Teresa Woodruff
2011
Winston Anderson, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Juan E. Gilbert, Clemson University, S.C.
Shaik Jeelani, Tuskegee University, Ala.
Andrew Tsin, University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas
Camp Reach, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Mass. represented by Chrysanthe Demetry
Diversity Programs in Engineering, Cornell University, N.Y. , represented by Sara Hernández
The Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute, Arizona State University, Ariz., represented by Carlos Castillo-Chavez
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program, Stanford University, Calif., represented by Marilyn Winkleby
University of California San Francisco Science & Health Education Partnership High School Intern Program, Calif., represented by Rebecca Smith
—
Source: NSF
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2011, its budget is about $6.9 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
Above:President Obama will convene a forum at the White
House next month with 120 young leaders from Africa and
their counterparts from the United States. – (Pete Souza)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: Thursday, July 22, 2010
New York (Tadias) – President Barack Obama is set to play host to a large contingent of young African business and community leaders next month for a White House initiated effort to foster stronger partnerships in the years ahead.
Nearly 120 young leaders from civil society and the private sector representing more than 40 African countries will gather in Washington for a three-day conference scheduled to take place from August 3rd to August 5th, 2010.
“Together with American counterparts and U.S. government officials, the participants will share their insights on key themes of youth empowerment, good governance, and economic opportunity,” the White House said in a statement. “President Obama will host a town hall meeting at the White House with these young leaders to discuss their vision for transforming their societies over the next fifty years.”
According to the White House: “The President’s Forum with Young African Leaders presents the U.S. government and American friends of Africa with an opportunity to deepen and broaden our understanding of the trajectories of African societies, and to reflect on how the next generation are building their communities’ and their nations’ futures – just as their predecessors did in the era of independence from colonial rule. In addition to the town hall meeting with the President, the forum will include small-group discussions on topics such as transparency and accountability, job creation and entrepreneurship, rights advocacy, and the use of technology to empower individuals and communities. African participants will have an opportunity to meet with grassroots service organizations to share experiences and strategies.”
The administration hopes the event will also serve as a networking opportunity between the African leaders and their American counterparts. “The U.S. government’s role in this gathering is as a convener, encouraging networks between young American and African leaders, and pursuing lasting partnerships on behalf of our common security and prosperity,” the statement added. “This dialogue and follow-up events in Africa will help the U.S. government better assess how to support Africa’s own aspirations going forward.”
—
Update
Four Ethiopians To Participate in the Forum With U.S. Ambassador Donald E. Booth
Per the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, the
following four young leaders will represent
Ethiopia at the upcoming White House forum.
Mahlet Eyassu Melkie, 29, Climate Change Activist
Meron Getnet Hailegiorgis, 27, Author
Salsawit Tsega Ketema, 30, Founder, Sel Art Gallery
Yohannes Mezgebe Abay, 35, Vice President, Pan African Youth Union
Cover Image:President Barack Obama listens during a meeting with residents at Carmandelle’s Live Bait and Boiled Seafood in Grand Isle, La., June 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Above:Professor Ayele Bekerie and his former students, Yeshi
Abebe and Tsehai Abebe, attend an event on the South Lawn
of the White House on June 29, 2010. —— (Courtesy Photo)
Tadias Magazine
Events News
Updated: Friday, July 2, 2010
New York (Tadias) – Tadias recently received a wonderful note from Professor Ayele Bekerie at Cornell University. Two of his former students had sent him an invitation to attend an event on the South Lawn of the White House honoring appointees who had been involved in the Obama Presidential campaign and now had government jobs.
Below are Professor Bekerie’s synopsis and photos:
In 1999 nine students of Ethiopian background graduated from Cornell University. The majority of them took one or more courses with me while they were undergraduate students. Among these graduates were Yeshimebet Abebe and Tsehai Abebe, who are sisters. Yeshi, Tsehai and their third sister Saba work for the Federal Government. They were actively involved in the campaign to elect President Obama in Iowa where they were born.
On June 29, 2010, the White House invited political appointees (those who work for the Government as a result of Obama’s Presidency) to a summer event on the South Lawn of the White House. The appointees played a critical role in the election of President Obama. Each appointee was also allowed to invite a person of their choice. Yeshi chose me to attend the event. Her act is an expression of a great tradition in which she and her sisters wanted to acknowledge my service to them as a professor as an advisor.
The summer event on the South Lawn was attended by thousands of appointees and their guests. After passing through elaborate security clearance, we arrived at The Lawn, which is vast, memory-laden and beautiful; it was filled up with guests who sat around picnic tables, on the grass, or simply walked around. At service tents, guests can got soft drinks, ice cream, and ice cold water – It was the most sought after drink in the hot and humid Washington summer afternoon. A great live band played a variety of selections drawn from great American music traditions throughout the event.
President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama joined their guests a little after 5:30 pm. The President spoke briefly and his main message was a message of gratitude. The appointees critical role in his election is publicly acknowledge and appreciated. He also cited some of his administration’s accomplishments in the last eighteen months, such as the largest public projects to improve roads and bridges, free health insurance to all needy children, health insurance that will allow over 30 million Americans to have insurance coverage, financial regulation and new approach to foreign policy.
The President and the First Lady interacted with the guests, shook hands and engaged them in conversation. My cherished moments, of course, was when I shook hands with both President Obama and the First Lady. I also got a chance to take pictures. The Summer Event on the South Lawn ended at 7 pm. The sisters treated me to a dinner before I returned to Ithaca.
Above:Mimi Alemayehou has been nominated by President
Obama to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the
African Development Foundation (ADF), US Federal agency.
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Published: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
New York (Tadias) – Ethiopian-American Mimi E. Alemayehou, who served as the most senior U.S. Treasury official in Africa, has been nominated by President Obama to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation.
Ms. Alemayehou was most recently the United States Executive Director at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and was the first African-born leader in this role. She was Founder & Managing Partner of Trade Links, LLC, a development consulting firm that worked with clients on emerging markets issues to promote African exports under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Ms. Alemayehou is a naturalized U.S. Citizen. She was born in Ethiopia and spent her early years in Kenya before emigrating to the United States. Ms. Alemayehou holds a Masters degree in International Business and International Law and Development from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
