Samuel Gebru
| Samuel M. Gebru | |
|---|---|
 Samuel Gebru speaks at the Embassy of the United States to Ethiopia, August 15, 2012 | |
| Born |
November 20, 1991 Khartoum, Sudan |
| Residence | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | Ethiopian American |
| Education |
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Concordia College |
| Known for | Ethiopian Global Initiative |
| Religion | Ethiopian Orthodox Church |
Samuel Michael Gebru (Amharic: ሳሙኤል ሚካኤል ገብሩ) (born November 20, 1991) is an Ethiopian American social entrepreneur, community organizer and consultant.[1]
Early life
Samuel was born at the Palestine Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Samuel's parents are both Ethiopian with his father from Wukro, Tigray and his mother from Hawzen, Tigray.[2]
He earned his High School Diploma from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.[3] In 2007, Samuel founded his high school's student newscast, Youth View Cambridge, and served as its first Executive Producer. He also co-led the successful multicultural student campaign to recognize a Muslim holiday on the Cambridge Public Schools District’s official calendar.[1]
Political Involvement
Samuel has been recognized as a young leader in Ethiopia and the United States.[4][5][6] He is noted for demonstrating leadership abilities and broad experience in community organizing, cultural competency, youth and family advocacy and service in the public and private sectors.[7][8][9][10] He has worked with and consulted for various local and international nonprofit organizations and political campaigns. He currently serves as founder and managing director of Black Lion Strategies, a consulting practice that works to strengthen U.S.-Ethiopia relations, and as executive producer of Boston Ethiopia Week.[11]
Ethiopian Global Initiative
Samuel is the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Global Initiative (EGI). He founded EGI in 2006 as a 14-year-old student and led its development and growth until 2016.[12] Based in the U.S., the nonprofit convened change makers in Ethiopia and abroad. The Initiative’s mission was to serve as a catalyst and connector, working to create an environment where passionate and innovative young leaders could discuss and seek solutions to Ethiopia’s most pressing challenges.[1]
After watching the 2004 Oprah Winfrey Show program on fistula in Ethiopia and the work of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, Samuel was motivated to organize youth and raise funds for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.[10] At age 13, he convened a meeting of 13 Ethiopian American youth in Boston and discussed how they could support the hospital. The group was known as the "Ethiopian Team."[12] The project’s 13 members raised funds to sponsor 11 women for obstetric fistula repair surgery. On October 22, 2006, the Ethiopian American Youth Initiative was formed as a successor to the Ethiopian Team.[4][12]
Under Samuel's direction, the Ethiopian American Youth Initiative embarked on a national expansion on August 16, 2007, recruiting members throughout the United States.[10] On February 12, 2010, the organization opened its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After the 2010 Ethiopian American Youth Initiative Conference in Washington, D.C., the organization changed its name to the Ethiopian Global Initiative and launched operations internationally.[10][12]
Personal life
Samuel resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and multilingual.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "About". Gebru for Cambridge. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
- ↑ Community Profile: Samuel Gebru, 17, Retrieved March 5, 2009
- ↑ Cambridge Rindge and Latin seniors graduate with 'amazing potential', Retrieved June 4, 2009.
- 1 2 Interview with Samuel Gebru, a young promoter of Economic Development in Ethiopia, Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ↑ Ambassador Battle Discusses People to People Relationships between the U.S. and Africa, Retrieved August 15, 2012.
- ↑ Ethiopia: A Youth Ambassador?, Retrieved February 2, 2008.
- ↑ The young diaspora, Retrieved September 29, 2012.
- ↑ Letter: Student leadership allows Cambridge to celebrate Muslim holiday, Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ↑ Voice of America Tigrinya Program Features EGI, Retrieved October 26, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 History | Who We Are | Ethiopian Global Initiative, Retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ↑ [utna.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boston-Ethiopia-Week-Press-Release.pdf "Boston Ethiopia Week: Ethiopian Flag Raised in Boston as Mayor Proclaims "Ethiopia Week""] Check
|url=value (help) (PDF). 09/11/2016. Retrieved 11/14/2016. Check date values in:|access-date=, |date=(help) - 1 2 3 4 A Conversation With Samuel Gebru, Retrieved February 8, 2011.