PRESS RELEASE
Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America (EHSNA) Announces Second Executive Committee Election Results, Releases Community Agenda
EHSNA Election Results
The Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America (EHSNA) recently held an election for members of its executive committee for the second time in its history. EHSNA’s primary mission and vision is to promote and preserve the rich heritage and traditions of Ethiopian culture. The elections were held for seven committee offices: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Director, Business Manager, and Events Coordinator. The results:
• President. Shakespear Feyissa was elected to his second term as president.
• Vice President. Fifi Derso was elected to her first term as vice president.
• Secretary. Yeshitila Araya was elected for his first term as secretary
• Public Relations. Abebe Hailu will be his first term as public relations director.
• Treasurer. Iskeinder Eyob was elected as treasurer for the second time.
• Business Manager. Haile Tefera was elected to his second term as business manager.
• Events Coordinator. Yared Eshete will be working as events coordinator for the first time.
On September 1, 2011 these individuals assumed their respective posts as the preceding executive committee officers handed over responsibilities as necessary. EHSNA board members, associate members, supporters and other members of the various Ethiopian communities extend congratulations and best wishes to the recently elected committee officers.
Goals of EHSNA
Entering its second year of operation, EHSNA has an ambitious primary goal. The Society, a 501(c)(3) organization, has a vision and mission to promote and preserve the rich heritage and traditions of the Ethiopian culture and its progenitors. Through its efforts it hopes to establish a strong link between that heritage and the new generation of Ethiopians born and raised in the Diaspora. The Society also wants to share that historical and cultural heritage with the other citizens of North America and contribute even more to the wide diversity that the North American nations already celebrate.
Recent EHSNA Activities
As part of that effort, the Society held its First Annual Ethiopian Heritage Festival, themed as “Celebrate and Discover Ethiopia,” this past July 1-3 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The festival showcased the historical, cultural, artistic, athletic, and culinary treasures, creativity, and talent from the Ethiopian community for the enjoyment and education of the public at large. The Society will seek to hold a similar festival annually during the first week of every following July.
EHSNA Agenda
Aside from the annual festival, the Society will work toward its mission by the sponsorship of a lecture series, as well as stage productions, art exhibits, sporting events, and the recognition of past and new achievements of individuals and groups within the Ethiopian community, including those in the Diaspora as well as those in the nation of Ethiopia itself.
Uniting the Ethiopian Communities of North America
EHSNA hopes to bring together Ethiopians from all walks of life residing in North America in such a way as to amplify exposure of others to the rich culture and increase its impact on the diversity of the North American societal mainstream. This hope is being realized by the recent and forthcoming activities of the various North American Ethiopian communities:
• Los Angeles, California. Little Ethiopia, an Ethiopian Diaspora community in L.A., held its annual celebration on September 4. It reached out to Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans as they celebrated the heritage they share.
• Houston, Texas. On September 10, the Houston Ethiopian communities will celebrate the Ethiopian New Year.
• Toronto, Canada. On September 10-11, the Ethiopian Diaspora communities in Toronto will have a two-day celebration of the Ethiopian New Year.
• Baltimore, Maryland. EHSNA will participate in a fund raiser for the benefit of the Baltimore Black Lion Soccer Team to be held on September 11.
• Arlington, Virginia/ Washington, D.C. In an event solely organized by EHSNA, on September 10, the Society will hold an Ethiopian New Year Celebration at Barcroft Park 4100 S. Four Mile Run Dr in Arlington, Virginia (a community near D.C.).
Ethiopian Communities Reach Out
Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora enjoy the peace and prosperity that comes with living in the various North America communities, but they also cherish the remembrance of their lives in Ethiopia, of the families and friends still there, and the way of life still extant in the Horn of Africa. The activities of the various Ethiopian communities and their organizations are meant to be a source of strength to all of Ethiopian heritage and an outreach of friendship to their adopted fellow citizens.
The Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America (EHSNA)
ethiopianheritagesociety.org