By: Aida Bee Solomon 

The first annual Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Conference, presented by Tsehai Publishers, took place last month on November 12^th at Loyola Marymount University. The Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association of Loyola Marymount University, founded fall 2016 by Welela Makonnen, launched their inaugural event in hopes to creating a network among Ethiopian and Eritrean businesses, student organizations, and community leaders.

Elias Wondimu, founder of Tsehai Publishers, was the keynote speaker alongside a panel boasting a multitude of talent and professionals among the Ethiopian and Eritrean community. The panel included Director and Dramaturge extraordinaire Weyni Mengesha, Producer Leelai Demoz from Difret and Wondu Dikran from Journey to Lasta, Founder of Ethiopian Diaspora Fellowship, Rediate Tekeste, award winning Associate Creative Director of Innocean Worldwide, David Mesfin and Creative Director of Bota, Solomon Abdella, Managing Principal of DELFE & Company, Feben Johannes and President and CTO of NetServe Systems, Inc. Abdi Ahmed.

College students from all over California attended the event and discussed issues including the current political climate in Ethiopia, constructive dialogue concerning ethnic groups among Ethiopians and Eritreans, and how to obtain internships and other career opportunities.

Tsehai Publishers is an internationally renown institution that was founded by Elias Wondimu in 1998 after he became an exiled journalist forced to leave Ethiopia. Wondimu sought out factual and historical literary works about Ethiopia, seeking out minority academic scholars and authors that are often overlooked in the publishing world. Tsehai has published over 100 books, journals, and imprints, while establishing itself as a hub for Ethiopian history and storytelling in Los Angeles and beyond.

HabeshaLA has obtained exclusive footage from the conference. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with next year’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Conference, send an email to lmueeasa@gmail.com.

HabeshaLA presents the first installment of Origins, a monthly celebration of the Motherland. The first event took place at Los Globos in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 8th featuring a performance by Space Monk. The next event will be Thursday January 12th, 2017. Check out the pictures below!