Ethiopian American
Encyclopedia
Ethiopian Americans are Americans
of Ethiopia
n descent as well as those of American and Ethiopian ancestry.
in 1808, when merchants from Ethiopia arrived at New York
’s famous Wall Street
.
In 1919 an official Ethiopian goodwill mission was sent to the United States
, the first Africa
n delegation of diplomats, in hopes of creating amicable ties with the American people
and government. The four-person delegation included Dejazmach Nadew, the nephew of Empress Zawditu and Commander of the Imperial Army, along with Blattengeta Heruy Welde Sellase, Mayor of Addis Ababa, Kentiba Gebru, Mayor of Gondar
, and Ato Sinkas, Dejazmach Nadew’s secretary.
After his official coronation, Emperor Haile Selassie sent forth the first wave of Ethiopian students to continue their education abroad. Almost a dozen Ethiopian students likewise went to the United States
. They included Makonnen Desta, who studied anthropology at Harvard, and later became an interim Ethiopian Minister of Education, Makonnen Haile, who studied finance at Cornell, and Ingida Yohannes, veterinary medicine at New York
. Three other students, Melaku Beyen, Besha Worrid Hapte Wold and Worku Gobena, went to Muskingum
, a missionary college in Ohio
, two of them later transferring to Ohio State University
. Melaku Beyan, who was one of the two who attended Ohio State, later received his medical degree at Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C.
; and 10,000 in New York)…." Unofficial estimates suggest that the Washington, DC area has an Ethiopian population of 150,000 to 250,000. Boston, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, and Minneapolis/St.Paul also have large Ethiopian-American communities. There are many ethnic groups among Ethiopians in general, and thus the same is true among Ethiopian Americans.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n descent as well as those of American and Ethiopian ancestry.
History
The first known Ethiopians visited AmericaUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1808, when merchants from Ethiopia arrived at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
’s famous Wall Street
Wall Street
Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, or...
.
In 1919 an official Ethiopian goodwill mission was sent to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the first Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n delegation of diplomats, in hopes of creating amicable ties with the American people
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and government. The four-person delegation included Dejazmach Nadew, the nephew of Empress Zawditu and Commander of the Imperial Army, along with Blattengeta Heruy Welde Sellase, Mayor of Addis Ababa, Kentiba Gebru, Mayor of Gondar
Gondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
, and Ato Sinkas, Dejazmach Nadew’s secretary.
After his official coronation, Emperor Haile Selassie sent forth the first wave of Ethiopian students to continue their education abroad. Almost a dozen Ethiopian students likewise went to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They included Makonnen Desta, who studied anthropology at Harvard, and later became an interim Ethiopian Minister of Education, Makonnen Haile, who studied finance at Cornell, and Ingida Yohannes, veterinary medicine at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Three other students, Melaku Beyen, Besha Worrid Hapte Wold and Worku Gobena, went to Muskingum
Muskingum
The word Muskingum derives from a similarly sounding Delaware word, which some claim to translate as 'Eye of the Elk.'Muskingum may refer to:* Muskingum College* Muskingum County, Ohio* Muskingum County Speedway* Muskingum River...
, a missionary college in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, two of them later transferring to Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. Melaku Beyan, who was one of the two who attended Ohio State, later received his medical degree at Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C.
Demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 137,012 Ethiopian immigrants lived in the United States as of 2008. An additional 30,000 U.S.-born citizens reported Ethiopian ancestry. According to Aaron Matteo Terrazas, "if the descendants of Ethiopian-born migrants (the second generation and up) are included, the estimates range upwards of 460,000 in the United States (of which approximately 350,000 are in Washington, DC; 96,000 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
; and 10,000 in New York)…." Unofficial estimates suggest that the Washington, DC area has an Ethiopian population of 150,000 to 250,000. Boston, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, and Minneapolis/St.Paul also have large Ethiopian-American communities. There are many ethnic groups among Ethiopians in general, and thus the same is true among Ethiopian Americans.
Notable Americans of Ethiopian descent
- Abdul "Duke" Fakir - founding member of popular Motown act the Four TopsFour TopsThe Four Tops are an American vocal quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, hard rock, and showtunes...
- Abdus IbrahimAbdus IbrahimAbdus "Fuad" Ibrahim is an Ethiopian-born American soccer player who is currently a free agent.-Youth:Ibrahim grew up in Richfield, Minnesota, attended Richfield High School, and played for local club team called Wings United...
- soccer player - Amsale AberraAmsale AberraAmsale Aberra is an Ethiopian fashion designer and entrepreneur.She is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers and a Trustee of the Fashion Institute of Technology....
- fashion designer - Aster AwekeAster AwekeAster Aweke is an Ethiopian singer who lives in the United States. She is sometimes referred to as Ethiopia’s Aretha Franklin.Aweke was born in 1961 in Gondar, Ethiopia, and was raised in the capital city of Addis Ababa...
- legendary Ethiopian singer - Dinaw MengestuDinaw MengestuDinaw Mengestu is an award-winning American novelist and writer, who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition to two novels, he has written for Rolling Stone on the war in Darfur, and for Jane Magazine on the conflict in northern Uganda...
- author - Elias KifleElias KifleElias Kifle is the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Washington D.C.-based Ethiopian Review, an English/Amharic language Ethiopian news and opinion journal that was launched in January 1991....
- Editor of Ethiopian ReviewEthiopian ReviewEthiopian Review is an Ethiopian news and opinion journal. It was first launched in August 1944 and discontinued in November 1945.The first editor of the Ethiopian Review was William M. Steen. In 1945, David A. Talbot took over as editor....
online news media - Fershgenet Melaku - model, actress & rapper
- Fesum Ogbazion- founder & CEO of Instant Tax ServiceInstant Tax ServiceInstant Tax Service is the third fastest growing income tax franchise company in the United States, with hundreds of locations in 35 states. Instant Tax Service is based out of Dayton, Ohio and specializes in tax preparation, electronic filing, and refund anticipation loan services.Founded in 2000...
- Gabriel TeodrosGabriel TeodrosGabriel Teodros , is a hip hop artist and a member of the group Abyssinian Creole. He is of Ethiopian, Scottish, Irish & Native American descent, and was raised on Beacon Hill, Seattle, Washington...
- hip hop artist - Gebisa EjetaGebisa EjetaGebisa Ejeta is an Oromo American plant breeder, geneticist and Professor at Purdue University. In 2009, he won the World Food Prize for his major contributions in the production of sorghum.- Early years :...
- geneticist and recipient of the 2009 World Food PrizeWorld Food PrizeThe World Food Prize is an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.-The Prize:... - Gelila BekeleGelila BekeleGelila Bekele is an Ethiopian model, humanitarian and social activist.- Modeling Career :Bekele is signed with Ford Models, and has appeared on several ad campaigns for Levi's, Pantene, L'oreal, and Colgate, and has appeared in Essence, Marie Claire, Allure, Lucky and various fashion magazines...
- model - Giday WoldeGabrielGiday WoldeGabrielGiday WoldeGabriel is an Ethiopian geologist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, who co-discovered human skeletal remains at Herto Bouri, Ethiopia that revealed a transition into modern humans . The specimen was called Homo sapiens idaltu.-References:...
- geologistGeologistA geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using... - GigiGigi (singer)Ejigayehu Shibabaw, or Gigi as she is popularly known, is one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers worldwide. Coming from an ancient tradition of song originating in the Ethiopian Church, she has brought the music of Ethiopia to wider appreciation and developed it in combination...
- singer - GonjasufiGonjasufiGonjasufi is a rapper, singer, disc jockey and yoga teacher from San Diego, California and currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ecks was born to a Mexican mother and an American-Ethiopian father. He has been releasing music since the early 1990s among the San Diego Hip Hop scene, notably with...
- musician - Haile GerimaHaile GerimaHaile Gerima is an Ethiopian filmmaker, who resides in the United States. He is a leading member of the L.A. Rebellion film movement, also known as the Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers. His films have received wide international acclaim. Gerima has also been an influential film professor at...
- film director - Julie MehretuJulie MehretuJulie Mehretu is an artist, best known for her densely-layered abstract paintings and prints. She lives and works in New York City...
- painter - Kenna Zemedkun - rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer - Killenm - rapper
- Kitaw EjiguKitaw EjiguKitaw Ejigu was an Ethiopian-American scientist who worked for NASA as Chief of Spacecraft and Satellite Systems engineer. He was also a political leader....
-aerospaceAerospaceAerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
scientist at NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research... - Lemma W. Senbet - professor
- Liben Eabisa - founder & Publisher of Tadias Magazine
- Liya KebedeLiya KebedeLiya Kebede is an Ethiopian model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer and actress who has appeared three times on the cover of US Vogue . According to Forbes, Kebede was eleventh-highest-paid top model in the world in 2007...
- international supermodelSupermodelThe term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels... - Merdekios - Former Editor of Jimma Times Ethiopian online newspaper
- Michael D. EllisonMichael D. EllisonMichael D. Ellison is an African-American recording artist, producer and actor. The Detroit-based performer has made repeat appearances on HBO's Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry and in 2007 MIKE-E opened the three-network simulcast of the widely anticipated football game between the New...
- hip-hop recording artist, actor and activist - Mulatu AstatkeMulatu AstatkeMulatu Astatke is an Ethiopian musician and arranger best known as the father of Ethio-jazz....
- musician and arranger, father of Ethio-Jazz - Nathanael Fikru - rock musician
- Nina Ashenafi Richardson - judge
- Nnegest Likké - film director/screenwriter
- Noah SamaraNoah SamaraNoah A. Samara is a Chief Executive Officer of WorldSpace, the world's first to launch satellite radio system. He also played a pivotal role in the foundation of XM Satellite Radio. He claimed what motivated him to found WorldSpace is to give millions of people in Asia and Africa access to...
- founder and CEO of WorldspaceWorldSpace1worldspace, formerly known as 'WorldSpace', is a currently defunct satellite radio network that provided service to over 170,000 subscribers in eastern and southern Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia with 96% coming from India... - Robel TeklemariamRobel TeklemariamRobel Zeimichael Teklemariam is an Ethiopian cross country skier who has competed since 2006. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 83rd in the 15 km event at Turin in 2006....
- cross country skier - Selamawi Asgedom - author
- Shabba Doo - actor, dancer & founding member of The Original Lockers
- Sossina M. HaileSossina M. HaileSossina M. Haile is Professor of Materials Science and of Chemical Engineering at the Caltech, who created a new type of fuel cell.-Life:...
- scientists - Ted M. Alemayhu - founder & Executive Chairman of U.S. Doctors for Africa (USDFA)
- Tessema Dosho Shifferaw - inventor of the Bowflex MachineBowflex MachineBowflex is the brand name for a series of exercise machines used for strength training and cardio training, marketed and sold by Nautilus, Inc.. They are primarily sold through the use of infomercials.-Design and history:...
and founder of Dosho Designs - Teshome GabrielTeshome GabrielTeshome H. Gabriel was an Ethiopian-born American cinema scholar and professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in Los Angeles. Gabriel was considered an expert on cinema and film of Africa and the developing world...
- cinema scholar and professor - Tilahun Yilma - veterinary virologist
- WaynaWaynaWayna is an Ethiopian-born American R&B singer.Her single "My Love" reached the Billboard R&B charts in 2008, peaking at #99...
- r&b singer - Yosef Ben-JochannanYosef Ben-JochannanYosef A.A. Ben-Jochannan was born in Gonder, Ethiopia), also known as Dr. Ben, is an Afrocentric historian. He is notable for his writings and teachings about Black Jews and ancient Africans, and how Europeans, notably white Jews, appropriated their culture and legacy...
- historian
See also
- Little Ethiopia, Los Angeles
- Ethiopians in the United KingdomEthiopians in the United KingdomEthiopians in the United Kingdom are an ethnic group that consist of Ethiopian immigrants to the United Kingdom as well as their descendants. Overall, it is one of the smaller subgroups of immigrants to the UK from Africa.-History:...
- Ethiopian AustralianEthiopian AustralianOromian Australian is a term which may be used to refer to immigrants from Ethiopia to Australia and their descendants. However, as Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic country with significant inter-ethnic tensions, not all immigrants from Ethiopia accept the label "Oromian", instead preferring to identify...
External links
- Abesha.Com - Online Magazine/Web Portal for the Ethiopian and Eritrean Diaspora
- EveryCulture — Ethiopian-Americans
- Oromo American site
- Tadias magazine - Ethiopian-American culture, lifestyle, and business
- Ethiopia.org - Ethiopian-American culture, newsfeed, and interviews