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Ethiopians in Cleveland


Flag of Ethiopia

Selam



Members of the Cleveland Ethiopian Community
welcome you to Cleveland



Visit our on-line Ethiopian Store
Books, Music, DVDs, Clothes,Flags and More


  • Are you interested in doing business in Ethiopia?
  • Are you interested in taking a trip to Ethiopia?
  • Are you of Ethiopian heritage and living, working or visiting Cleveland or Northeast Ohio?

Contact us for more information.

News and Upcoming Events for Ethiopians in Cleveland

Submit your Cleveland Ethiopian news and events.


Out and About - Photos, Video and Event Recaps

2023

Ethiopian community at One World Day 2023

The Cleveland Ethiopian community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023. The Ethiopian community participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.

Ethiopian Cultural Garden in parade of Flags on One World Day in Cleveland Cultural Gardens


Then they welcomed visitors to their Garden and shared their culture.

Ethiopian Garden on One World Day


See more of the Ethiopian Garden on One World Day 2023.


African Heritage Day - Cleveland Cultural Gardens World on Stage

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation 2023 World on Stage events in the Gardens are showcasing various heritages. The first 2023 event was African Heritage Day on July 1, 2023.

MC Sia Nyorkor with Ethiopian coffee

MC Sia Nyorkor with Ethiopian coffee

Audience members came from a variety of African countries including Liberia, Ghana, Congo, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia. One attendee from Pretoria, South Africa said, "This is the first time I've felt like home since I came to Cleveland."

There was delicious West African food, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, drummers, dancers and fun for families.

Main Page and photos and videos of 99 Treasures performance

See photos and videos of the Black Beanz performance

See photos and videos of the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

See photos and videos of the Djapo dancers and drummers performance

It was a great day to celebrate the heritage of the Cleveland People from the 54 countries of Africa.

Ethiopian community members


2022

Ethiopian community at One World Day 2022

The Cleveland Ethiopian community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 40,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2022.

The Ethiopian community participated in the Parade of Flags.

Ethiopian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags

Ethiopian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags


Then they welcomed visitors to their Garden and shared their culture.

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2022

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2022


See more of the Ethiopian Garden on One World Day 2022.


Carl Robson MD inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Carl Robson was the first person from the Ethiopian community to be inducted. He was inducted by Aklilu Demessie.

Aklilu Demessie presents the CIHF award to Carl Robson

Carl Robson receiving the award from Aklilu Demessie


See photos and videos of Carl Robson's induction

Photos and videos of the entire induction ceremony

Photos of some of the sold out crowd


The US-Ethiopia Relations now wounded, can it be healed?
by Aklilu Demessie

Aklilu Demessie has written a piece about the history and current state of US and Ethiopia relations. It is an important piece and well worth your time in reading it.

It begins: "Cleveland, Ohio, in the US, and Bahir Dar, Gojam, in Ethiopia have been Sister Cities for 18 years now. It is because of this type of people-to-people relationships as well as genuine diplomatic work that brought about mutually respectful and beneficial relationships between the two countries in the past.

Read the rest of the article about US and Ethiopian relations


2021

Ethiopian community at One World Day 2021 in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Members of the Ethiopian community participated in the Parade of Flags at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on August 29, 2021. They also hosted hundreds of visitors in their Cultural Garden throughout the day.

Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags at One World Day

Girls Ethiopian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags at One World Day

TV reporter Maia Belay points out her heritage

TV reporter Maia Belay points out her heritage
on the ClevelandPeople.com map


See more from the Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2021


2020

Fun with Maps - Horn of Africa

In this episode of Fun with Maps, host Dan Hanson shows the Horn of Africa which consists of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia. He shows how the close proximity to the Arabian Peninsula and the extended coastline of the peninsula have influence the politics, commerce and culture of the region. He also tells a story that connects a popular Beatles song and a famous fossil millions of years old.



See more of Fun with Maps


Mr. Aklilu Demessie recieves the Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia

Mr. Aklilu Demessie a longtime board member and current Vice President of ICC-WIN, received the highest award of the Solomonic Gift, the Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia on February 29th at the Victory of Adwa Dinner in Washington D.C. for his lifetime achievements in community services.

Aklilu Demessie being honored

Aklilu Demessie


As one of the select group of holders of the Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Ethiopia, one of the most venerated decorations of the Solomonic gift, the recipient would be entitled to use the post-nominal initials GCSE and to be referred to as "Your Excellency". The honor is one of the highest Ethiopian rankings and conferred on him by His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie.

See more about Mr. Aklilu Demessie


2019

Ethiopian Community at One World Day 2019

The Ethiopian Community particpated in the One World Day celebration on August 25, 2019.

Ethiopian community on One World Day

Ethiopian community on One World Day


See more from the 2019 One World Day.


Ethiopian Cultural Garden Phase 1 Dedication

The Ethiopian Garden is the first garden from an African country in the 100+ year history of the gardens. The unveiling ceremony for Phase 1 of the Ethiopian Garden took place on Saturday August 24, 2019 with Fitsum Arega, Ethiopian ambassador to the United States, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Ethiopian artist Yetimgeta Zerihun in attendance.

Ethiopian Garden monument covered before the unveiling

Ethiopian Garden monument covered before the unveiling

See photos and videos of the ceremony and unveiling.


People at the Ethiopian Cultural Garden Phase 1 Dedication

A large crowd gathered for the unveiling ceremony for Phase 1 of the Ethiopian Garden and everyone wanted to pose in front of the monument.

Ladies at Ethiopian Garden dedication

See photos and videos of some of the crowd.


Detailed Look at the Ethiopian Cultural Garden Monument

The front was designed by artist Zerihun Yetmgeta with each panel on the front depicting a broad period of Ethiopian history. he Back Panel is titled "When the Sun Gets the Moon".

Back side of Ethiopian Garden mural

See photos and more of the new monument.


Working on the Ethiopian Cultural Garden Mosaic

The Ethiopian Garden is the first garden from an African country in the 100+ year history of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Phase 1 of the Ethiopian Garden is a large wall displaying 5,000 years of history. The Ethiopian artist Yetimgeta Zerihun designed the structure while Cleveland Ethio-American artist mosaic artist Ernesto Spinelli constructed the mural.

Work in progress on the back of the wall in the Ethiopian Cultural Garden

Work in progress on the back of the wall in the Ethiopian Cultural Garden


See photos and video of the work in progress from July 2019.


2018

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2018

The Cleveland Ethiopian community was out in full force at the 73rd annual One World Day near the future site of the Ethiopian Cultural Garden. Members of the community marched in the annual Parade of Flags and later there was coffee, food and fun as members of the Ethiopian community shared their culture with thousands of visitors on One World Day.

Ethiopian Cultural Garden plans

Ethiopian Cultural Garden plans

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags at 73rd annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags


Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags at 73rd annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens


Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags at 73rd annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens


See photos and videos from the 2018 One World Day


2017

Ethiopian Community at Multicultural Holiday Celebration

The Ethiopian Community was represented at 8th Annual ICC-WIN Cleveland Multicultural Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland.

Empress Taytu

Empress Taytu served delicious food

Posing with a map of Ethiopia

Posing with a map of Ethiopia


See more from the Cleveland Multicultural Holiday Celebration


ClevelandPeople.Com Food Adventurers Passport to Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant

The Cleveland Food Adventurers Passport event in November 2017 was to Ethiopia.

Zoma Owner Zeleke Belete told the Food Adventurers that they had entered a Fork Free Zone and explained that Ethiopian food is eaten with the spongy injera bread instead of silverware..

Zeleke Belete and his wife

Zeleke Belete and his wife


The menu was varied and traditional and finished with an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Ethiopian food

The Food Adventurers also enjoyed hearing about Ethiopian culture, history and customs. Photos, videos and more from the Ethiopia Adventure


Ethiopia was never colonized

Aklilu Demessie is from Ethiopia and he spoke at the ClevelandPeople.Com Food Adventurers event at the Ethiopian Restaurant Zoma in Cleveland Heights Ohio. He told about Eritrea splitting off from Ethiopia, how Ethiopia was never colonized, why Ethiopians are good runners, how the President Jimmy Carter administration played a role in Ethiopian and Somalian issues with Russia and more.



Photos, videos and more from the Ethiopia Adventure


Geography, languages and religions of Ethiopia

Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.com spoke at the ClevelandPeople.Com Food Adventurers event at the Ethiopian Restaurant Zoma in Cleveland Heights Ohio. He showed that Ethiopia is in the Horn of Africa and how the geography is important to the politics and history. He told of the Nile River, how Ethiopia is the originator of coffee and about the languages (Amharic and others) and religions (Orthodox Christian and Muslim) of Ethiopia.



Photos, videos and more from the Ethiopia Adventure


Religious traditions, Haile Selassie and other Ethiopian history

Joseph Meissner told some interesting stories about Ethiopia - the history and religions and, of course, Emperor Haile Selassie. This was at the ClevelandPeople.Com Food Adventurer event to the Ethiopian Restaurant Zoma in Cleveland Heights Ohio.




2016

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

The Ethiopian Cultural Garden and Ethiopian community participated in the 71st One World Day on August 28, 2016. They began with the Parade of Flags.

Ethiopia in Parade of Flags

Ethiopian Garden in Parade of Flags

Ethiopia in Parade of Flags

Ethiopia in Parade of Flags


Throughout the day members of the Ethiopian community of Cleveland hosted hundreds of visitors in the Ethiopian Cultural Garden and shared Ethiopian culture.

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

Ethiopian Cultural Garden on One World Day

More from 2016 One World Day in Cleveland Cultural Gardens


2015

Ethiopian Fashion at Cleveland Museum of Art

Aklilu Demessie from Cleveland's Ethiopian community explained the Ethiopian clothing they wore to Ken Kovach of ICC-WIN at the Cleveland Museum of Art's International Cleveland Community Day in the Atrium of the museum.



Ethiopian Fashion at Cleveland Museum of Art

Ethiopian Fashion at Cleveland Museum of Art


Photos and videos of the International Fashion Show


Ethiopian Cultural Garden at 2015 Cleveland One World Day

Having fun on the site of the proposed new Ethiopian Cultural Garden in Cleveland on One World Day 2015. Besides dancing, food and music a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony was held.



See more from 2015 One World Day


***

Stay informed about the local Ethiopian community by signing up for the free Cleveland Ethiopian eNews mailings. You can select other groups as well. It's easy and free.

Fill out the form for the free Ethiopian eNews.


***

2014

Ethiopian Fashion at Cleveland Multicultural Event

Representatives from the Ethiopian community participated in the International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network's (ICC-WIN) 5th annual multicultural holiday celebration at the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center in Cleveland Ohio. They modeled Ethiopian costumes at the International Fashion Show which featured traditional costumes of dozens of countries.

Fashions of Ethiopia

Fashion of Ethiopia


Photos and videos of the International Fashion Show


2012

8/21/12
Today, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights made the following statement after the announced death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

“Whenever death occurs, regardless of the impact a person has made on his or her community, city or even country, it is a time to reflect on how we can collectively pick up the pieces and move forward to bring about change for a positive future.”

“Former Prime Minister Zenawi’s rule was characterized as a great contrast. While he was responsible for ushering in an era of economic growth, promoting peace in Ethiopia and the surrounding region, and expanding health services to the citizens in the country, his tenure was often criticized by the unfair confinement of his people, oppressed media and his failure to embrace human rights and justice for all.

“As a new day rises in Ethiopia, a solid foundation for human rights and continued economic growth is possible, and as new leadership takes hold, it is my sincere hope that Ethiopia and the United States will remain allies on matters of security, but also create a partnership and champion stringent human rights standards in throughout the region.”


Organizations and Resources for Ethiopians in Cleveland


Submit your Cleveland Ethiopian organizations and resources.

Business, Education and Employment Information

Submit your Cleveland Ethiopian jobs, classes and other opportunities.


Cleveland Ethiopian Feedback and Memories


Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie on cover of Time Magazine

Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie on cover of Time Magazine



Ethiopian History and Culture


Tell us about the music, food, holidays, traditions, costumes, language and other qualities that make Ethiopians so special.

Ethiopian food

Typical Ethiopian cuisine:
Injera (pancake-like bread) and several kinds of wat (stew)





Ethiopia

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II.

In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000.

The Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia.

(facts courtesy of CIA World Fact Book)


Map of Ethiopia


Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie


Submit your Cleveland Ethiopian cultural items.


Profiles of Ethiopians in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Aklilu Demessie
One of the select group of holders of the Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Ethiopia

If you know of a Cleveland Ethiopian who should be profiled,
please let us know.


ClevelandPeople.Com - Ethiopian Ambassadors

HE Aklilu Demessie
HE Aklilu Demessie

Read more about the Ethiopian and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Ethiopian community, please contact us.






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