Aklilu Demessie
Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2026

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 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2026 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Aklilu Demessie

Demessie has always believed in giving back. For him, that means being personally invested in the community that had welcomed him as one of their own - by providing others with opportunities like the ones he received, as they assimilated to their new home, the USA.

Demessie retired from the United Technologies Aerospace Landing Systems in June 2018. After retiring he worked at Collins Aerospace as a consultant for three more years. He permanently retired in July 2021 from the aerospace business after 44 years all together. He is one of the founders and the current president of the Society of Ethiopians established in the diaspora, SEED. (www.ethioseed.org). SEED is one of the oldest and highly respected organizations in the Ethiopian community, spanning over three decades. In the last over three decades, he has served as a board member and Vice President of the Menelik Foundation in Cleveland, a role through which he helped establish a Sister Cities agreement between Cleveland and Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

He was instrumental in enlisting Ethiopia, the only and first African nation, to participate in the International Children's Games in Cleveland for the first time in 2004. He is also a member of the Board (now Vice President) of the International Community Council and Worldwide International Network (ICC-WIN) of Cleveland, in which 121 countries are represented since 1993. Demessie has served as President of the Northeast Ohio Ethiopian Community Association (NEOECA) and President of the Ethiopian Cleveland Connection (ECC).

Demessie joined DISATU EYES foundation as a co-founder with his best friend, Dr. Shiferaw G/ Mariam in 2016. DISATU EYES Foundation seeks to help young Ethiopian girls harness their God-given talents, reach their full potential, and succeed in life. Under the foundation 162 girls are provided educational support, of which 25 are sponsored by Mr. Demessie. Please visit www. eyes. foundation for detail.

"I've been civic/community-minded for as long as I can remember," Demessie said. "To the extent that I can contribute in a positive way, I want to - I truly believe that our world is what we help to make it." "So many people are willing to help and get involved in the community, but don't know what to do," he added. "If you educate them about ways to get involved, you might be surprised by their level of interest and passion to make a difference."

Demessie brings his passion for community involvement to the workplace as well: he mentored those who are new to the organization he worked for, providing them with a sense of belonging and inclusion, and encourages others to find their own ways of giving back. He has also created opportunities for UTC Aerospace Systems to engage with its community by connecting the company with local organizations and leaders such as Reverend Otis Moss Jr. Over his many years at UTC Aerospace Systems, he has trained a number of young and new--engineering employees.:

Demessie has also mentored and advised aspiring high school and college engineering students alike, as well as co-ops working in his department, further sparking their interest in engineering. In addition, he coordinated a UTC Aerospace Systems Landing Gear computer drive to benefit the library at the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He has helped send educational materials and medical supplies overseas to Addis Ababa University. And under the Menelik Foundation, he was part of the team under MHF that sent more than 150 sleeping cots (beds), blankets, and other materials to Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana in 2005.

"To me, inclusion is about leveling the playing field and giving real opportunities to all people," Demessie said. "Inclusion brings about more creativity and different points of view - a new way of looking at things and doing things, which will mean greater success for all in the long run."

On July 4, 2015, Demessie and eight other friends established an Ethiopian AFSR, (American Field Service Returnees) group. Currently, Demessie plans to work with the with the state department to restart the student exchange program between the U.S. and Ethiopia, which was discontinued during the socialist government takeover in Ethiopia. He plans to try to pursue this initiative in the near future.

Achievements, Contributions and Recognitions:

• Recipient of Highest Honors: Aklilu Demessie has been honored with the highest medal of recognition from the Ethiopian Crown Council and has been knighted as the Grand Cross Star of Ethiopia (GCSE), earning him the esteemed titles of Sir or His Excellency (HE) for outstanding community services over five decades.
• Service Recognition: Demessie's dedication to the Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora (SEED) is further exemplified by his 25-years tenure as secretary and now president, for which he received a plaque in acknowledgment of his invaluable service in 2009. He is the current president of SEED, a 32 year old organization. He is one of the five original founders of the organization.
• Cultural Preservation and Promotion: As a design committee member, Demessie played a pivotal role in the creation of the First Ethiopian Cultural Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio outside of Ethiopia. This landmark project celebrates the diversity of Ethiopia's eighty-six official ethnic groups, fostering cultural preservation and understanding. Demessie has also served as a board member for two years at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens' Federation. Demessie positively promotes Ohio where he has been a resident since 1972.
• Global Leadership: Demessie's leadership extends beyond SEED as a founding member and current Vice President of ICC-WIN, a longstanding organization representing 121 countries in Cleveland, Ohio. His efforts have facilitated intercultural understanding among the different immigrant communities.
• Establishment of Sister Cities: Demessie's commitment to fostering global connections is evident in his role in establishing Sister Cities partnerships between Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, and Cleveland, Ohio. These initiatives promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between communities.
• Humanitarian Efforts: Demessie's compassion extends to humanitarian endeavors, including facilitating financial assistance from Black churches in Cleveland, Ohio, to alleviate hunger in Ethiopia. Additionally, he has coordinated the donation of essential resources, including computers, books, and medical supplies, to institutions in Ethiopia, demonstrating his commitment to improving access to education and healthcare. In 1984 has arranged a team visit for Rev Dr. Charles Bowie to witness the Ethiopians Hunger first hand.
• During his tenure as the board member of Ethiopian-Cleveland Connection, Demessie sent 40 computers to Addis Ababa University that were donated to him by the company he worked for.
• Mr. Aklilu is a member of the St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Cleveland and serves as elderly advisory board member and bylaws committee.
• In 2004 Mr. Demessie traveled to Ethiopia to invite young athletes to participate in Global Children's Olympics in Cleveland, Ohio, making Ethiopia to be the first African country to participate in the event. The two high school athletes from Bahir Dar now reside in the USA.

Mr. Aklilu has been married to Zufan L. Demessie, RN, for over 47 years and has two successful adult children, Dr. Menna Demessie, Ph.D. and Mr. Nebyat Aklilu Demessie, MHA.

Aklilu will be inducted by his daughter Dr. Menna Demessie, Ph.D.

The Cleveland International Hall of Fame website