Well, as per our promise to turn the event into a have-fun, get-together fest, we’ve invited the hottest chap in the entertainment industry here in the US, and that is stand-up comedian Meskerem Bekele, a young artist now making a name for himself by entertaining Ethiopian communities throughout the United States.

To say “satisfaction is guaranteed,” Ethiomedia Day Program Chief coordinator Shakespear Feyissa testifies that Meskerem is an exceptionally gifted comedian who hails from the Tayitu Entertainment in Washington, DC.

While Meskerem takes up the fun part, Ethiomedia would also like to continue to introduce young men and women who have been in charge of running Ethiomedia Programs from inception to implementation.

Muluneh Yohannes is known to many Ethiopians in Seattle as a human rights activist. For Ethiomedia colleagues, he is senior program coordinator who has already made an impressive impact both as a staff reporter and photographer.

Metti – Exhibition Coordinator

Ethiomedia Supporter Kindie Damte

A dogged fighter for freedom, Muluneh was one of the Addis Ababa University (AAU) student union leaders who organized the 2001 protests for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia. An aspiring diplomat in his country, Muluneh was an employee of the Foreign Ministry after he graduated in political science and international relations. He has a post-graduate diploma under his best as well.

Growing repression in Ethiopia and an “eye on him” forced Muluneh to flee his beloved country, thus ending up as a valuable asset to Seattle’s Ethiopian Diaspora. As a top organizer of the Ethiomedia Day, the towering young man is easily stands out from the crowd for his good-natured, all-smiles personality.

As we have flamboyant friends, we have more sober, and tiger-looking buddies as well. One such solid-rock supporter of Ethiomedia is Kindie Damte, who says he was impressed with the service Ethiomedia has rendered in the last few years.

“Ethiomedia shot to prominence particularly in the run-up to and after the May 2005 elections. It was a very war-like situation and gathering the news and disseminating up-to-date reports right on time was an exceptional feat that became a trade mark of Ethiomedia,” Kindie said.

As people-centered media, many Ethiopians have been voluntarily working for Ethiomedia as news reporters, and Kindie was not an exception in this regard. “August 13 would be one great day to celebrate the birth and growth of a media that fought heroically for peace and freedom in Ethiopia. It is definitely our celebration.”

A graphic artist and photographer by profession, Yohannes Gishen also has a way of excelling in his own class. Yohannes took everyone of his friends by surprise after he showed a sample of his work: a beautifully designed 2007 Ethiomedia calendar.

Tenagne, Ibex Restaurant owner, Ethiomedia Support Group

Top comedian Meskerem Bekele

The vision of Yohannes about Ethiomedia was revealed as two giant earth satellite stations facing each other in space while the letters “E” and “M” – standing for Ethiomedia – were artistically joined and magnificently placed as ‘relaxing gymnasts’ in between the two satellite stations.

The colorful Ethiomedia calendars would go public during the August 13 event at Garfield, and every one may have the chance of taking an Ethiomedia calendar home.

So far, we have been talking about the role and contributions of young men towards enhancing the service capacity of Ethiomedia. How about the role of women? Of course, Ethiomedia draws its most important support from Ethiopian women as well.

Whether it is Metti or Simegne, or Mestawot or …there is a plan to display exquisite Ethiopian works of handicraft and embroidery, like traditionally hand-woven garments, purses, and other house gadgets, in addition to catering food and drinks.

Meanwhile, when a few Ethiomeda guys were taking pictures in the city, one Ethiopian introduced himself as a friend of Ethiomedia, and said: “You guys don’t know me but I know you are Ethiomedia folks. I would like to spend August 13 with you as an expression of my happiness over what you’ve been doing for our country and people so far.” We looked at each other, and said, “God bless!” and shook hands.

Come see us; we are yours, as you are ours!