In admiration of the exemplary family-values, for providing opportunities to the less fortunate children/ orphans, the disabled and the aged in our midst in an attempt to positively help change their circumstances, for rearing six children of their own as intelligent, productive and responsible citizens worthy of being role models to the youth in Diaspora, while preserving balance between work and family, in acknowledgment of their community services and support to many causes affecting Ethiopia and Ethiopians, for their inspiring entrepreneurial leadership and many other positive attributes, SEED salutes and congratulates Mr. And Mrs. Begna. Many Ethiopians recognize and associate the Begna’s as a family that pioneered private enterprise in its modern form in Ethiopia. Starting from a small one-man operation, through hard work and dedication amd development of strong partnerships, Ethiopia Amalgamated Ltd. grew to include fertilizer marketing, commodity trading, shipping and transit services, Addis Tyre-the first tire trading plant in Ethiopia.

Hiruy is currently a graduate student in Electrical Engineering at the University Maryland. While his academic credential speaks for itself, both as outstanding student and as a dependable Teacher’s Assistant in his field of studies, it is for his spirited and infectious community service that Hiruy is brought to the attention of SEED. The ESAI (Ethiopian Student Association International )l, the Ethiopian community center, and a number of young Ethiopian-Americans have submitted written testimonial expressing their gratitude, admiration, respect and love for this young man worthy of emulating. Hiruy is referred to by the young in our community as a true visionary, an inspiring leader, a man of integrity, a great motivator, and indeed, a Renaissance man for the Ethiopian youth in the Diaspora. Hiruy came to the United States as a teenager and by all accounts, he has exceeded the ideals and expectations of our community. In the past so several years Hiruy has spearheaded the Amharic class for the first generation Ethiopian-Americans and in the process, helped them define their identity and instilled the sense of pride in their ancestry. He taught English to recent immigrants and others at the Ethiopian Community Center. He founded the Ethiopian Group; a biweekly group meeting that attempts to inform and address issues and concerns that affect the Diaspora community. Hiruy raised funds to help the displaced Addis Ababa University students in Kenya. He archived the History of the Ethiopian Students movement from the 50s through the 70s and has done many, many other exemplary work in our community. For his selfless deportment, community service, as a role model to the Ethiopians in Diaspora, and for all his distinctive attributes, please join SEED in thanking and congratulating Hiruy.

To many Ethiopians, Dr. Ephraim Isaac is known as the venerated teacher, an eminent statesman, who wears his Ethiopianess with pride and dignity, the champion, who pioneered the first organized campaign to eradicate illiteracy (Fidel Serawit) in Ethiopia that impacted over 2.5 million Ethiopians over two decades, an advocate of civil rights, a respected mentor to the Ethiopian youth in Diaspora, and as a man of character who has endeared himself to his fellow Ethiopians. Dr. Ephraim Isaac received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1969 in the Near East languages and Civilization, a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Chemistry, and Music from Concordia College, and a degree in Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 1958 and 1963 respectively. He speaks over seventeen languages and is an author of numerous books and articles on Jewish literature. His most recent publications include “The Book of Enoch, an Ethiopian history of Joseph, a history of religion in Africa, and a cultural history of Ethiopian Jews”. Dr. Ephraim Isaac is a recipient of numerous awards and recognition. To mention a few: DHL from John Jay College City University of New York, Harvard “Ephraim Isaac Prize in African Studie,”from Harvard, Ethiopian Students International Education Award, Who is Who among Black Americans, a fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and currently President and Chair of Peace and Development Committee for Ethiopia. Dr. Ephraim has taught and lectured at many prestigious universities such as Princeton, Harvard, Leihigh University and Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In recognition of his lifetime achievements, demonstrated patriotism, unselfish devotion to community service, and love for Ethiopia and Ethiopians, SEED would like to honor and thank Dr. Ephraim Isaac.

Professor Yosef Ford (known to many Ethiopians as Gashe Yosef, showing respect and closeness as an older brother) was born in the 1930s to the late Mrs. Mignon Lorraine Inniss Ford and Mr. Arnold Josiah Ford in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Professor Ford completed his elementary education at the Princess Zenebework School that was founded by his mother and finished his high school education at the prestigious General Wingate High in Addis Ababa. In1958 Prof. Yosef came to the U.S to pursue higher education. For over 20 years following his graduate studies, he taught at several institutions in the U.S. such as Hofstra University, New York Poly. Tech, college of New Rochelle, C.W post College of Long Island Univ., Rutgers University, Queens College, the University of Maryland and most recently at Howard University. Professor Ford holds undergraduate degrees in sociology and psychology from Aurora University, M.A from Columbia University and completed the required course work toward the Ph.D at Columbia in Social and Applied Anthropology. He is the recipient of numerous awards such as Ethiopian Research Council, Community Service Award, Community Service Citation, from Univ.sity of the District of Columbia, U.S Dept. of Education award, Presidential Fellow, Columbia University and National Defense Language Fellow, Columbia University. Prof. Ford publications include Ethiopian Refugees in their New Environment! What is the Moral Imperative of the Black woman! Who are the African Americans! Violence and the Ethiopian Immigrant! In search of National Identity to mention, but a few. Professor Ford dedicated his entire life to helping the cause of the Ethiopian community. Since 1983, he worked in various capacities including as a Program Coordinator at the Ethiopian Community center providing services in resettlement of Ethiopian and other refuges/ immigrants, interpretations, counseling and many, many other needed services. In the most recent past, Prof. Ford served on task forces such as: Multicultural Education Development for the District of Columbia Public schools and on Cultural Sensitivity Training for Washington, D.C Metro. Police. SEED would like to posthumously thank Prof. Yosef Ford for his love of Ethiopia and Ethiopians, as our venerated teacher and for his lifetime services to our community.

Members of SEED and untold number of Ethiopians in Diaspora, would like to express our heart felt gratitude to Mr. Seleshi Demessie for his relentless efforts and unselfish devotion to preserving the beauty of Ethiopia, especially our beloved capital city Addis Ababa. Mr. Seleshi's commitment to give back valuable service to our community (our homeland) has brought a significant positive change in the spirit, health and welfare of many fellow Ethiopians, His superior excellence in community service and his ability to deliver constructive message through his music has touched our collective conscience. His inspiring and noble community service has earned him the love and respect of Ethiopians around the world. Mr.Seleshi Demessie was born and raised in Addis Ababa. He completed his secondary education at Menelik High School in 1972. He then joined Yared Music School and perfected playing the Kirrar, which he had been informally taught to play by his own father growing up. Following the music school, Mr. Demessie received his teacher's training diploma at the Institute of Teachers Training in Addis and subsequently taught in Wollo province for a couple of years. During the Derg regime, he was forced to leave his homeland. After traveling to Djibouti and then to France, he was later admitted to the U.S. where his musical and artistic expressions flourished. He is a recipient of many awards and recognition. He was featured in "Arts America" magazine and recently, has received awards and recognition for his community services. In appreciation of his positive community service by helping beautify Addis Ababa, in acknowledgment of his outstanding sacrifices by giving his time, energy, taught and for his inspiring leadership in community services, join SEED in thanking Gasha Aberra Molla (Seleshi Demessie )

In admiration of the exemplary family-values, for providing opportunities to the less fortunate children/ orphans, the disabled and the aged in our midst in an attempt to positively help change their circumstances, for rearing six children of their own as intelligent, productive and responsible citizens worthy of being role models to the youth in Diaspora, while preserving balance between work and family, in acknowledgment of their community services and support to many causes affecting Ethiopia and Ethiopians, for their inspiring entrepreneurial leadership and many other positive attributes, SEED salutes and congratulates Mr. And Mrs. Begna. Many Ethiopians recognize and associate the Begna’s as a family that pioneered private enterprise in its modern form in Ethiopia. Starting from a small one-man operation, through hard work and dedication amd development of strong partnerships, Ethiopia Amalgamated Ltd. grew to include fertilizer marketing, commodity trading, shipping and transit services, Addis Tyre-the first tire trading plant in Ethiopia.