The annual Empower the Community Weekend hosted by Helen Mesfin of the Helen Show on EBS TV takes place July 27th, 2024 at the Washington Convention Center. (Courtesy photo)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: July 21st, 2024
New York (TADIAS) — The Helen Show on EBS TV is set to host its 8th annual Empower the Community Weekend on Saturday, July 27th, 2024, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
This highly anticipated annual event offers a wide range of activities including panel discussions, entertainment, educational resources, career advice, arts, finance, health and wellness tips, giveaways, cultural activities, and vendors and exhibitors showcasing their products and services.
The event is designed to be family-centered, ensuring that attendees of all ages can participate in activities that promote growth and well-being. According to the press release, “the event focuses on providing resources and information to attendees, enabling them to lead productive lives and thrive.”
Launched in 2017 by the producers of The Helen Show on EBS TV, Empower the Community Weekend (ECW) has become a cornerstone event for the community in the Washington, DC metro area.
The 2024 event will feature sessions on a variety of topics, including Business & Leadership, The Future of Tech, Real Estate Investment in the US and Ethiopia, and Navigating the Job Market in the Current Climate. Notable speakers include:
Business & Leadership:
Menassie Taddese, MBA, Global Biopharma Expert, Corporate Board Director
Menelik Solomon, President, GE Honda Aero Engines, LLC
Anna Getaneh, Founder & Creative Director, African Mosaique
Abiy Yeshitla, Board Member, Digital Transformation, Business Expansion, New Market Entry
The Future of Tech:
Hilina Kebede, Vice President, Technology Strategy at Edelman
Esete Seyoum, Regional Director SLG, Cloud Security, Microsoft
Selemon Getachew, Senior Vice President, Market Risk Management, PNC
Neby Ejigu, Senior Partner at FINN Partners
Self-Care: Prioritize Your Well-Being – Mind, Body & Spirit:
Dr. Tison Berhane, Double-Board Certified General Surgery and Surgical Care, Cosmetic Surgeon
Haben Girmay, Founder, Shikorinha by Habi, Holistic Skincare and Wellness Brand
Wintana Kiros, RDN, LDN, Founder, Reset Lifestyle
Tiemert Letike, Certified Life Coach, Unchaining Me, Moderator
Power Panel Session: Breaking Barriers – Insights from Young Trailblazers:
Bemnet Debelo, Vice President of Sales Engineering at Incapsulate
Tati Amare, Emmy Nominated Producer, TV Host, Live in the D, WDIV-Local 4
Makda Mehari, M.A., Executive Director, Civil Courage Prize
Hamara Abate, North America Product Strategy & Operations, Visa
Breakout Sessions:
Invest in Your Future: Owning Home in US & Ethiopia:
Bruk Alemayehu, Director of Sales & Marketing, OVID Real Estate
Merron Treadwell, Branch Manager, NMLS ID#1468532, Bay Equity LLC
Nya Alemayhu, Global Real Estate Advisor at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty & Head of US Operations, ROCKSTONE Real Estate
Navigating the Job Market in the Current Climate:
Edna Makonnen, Director for Human Capital & Strategic Initiatives, National Security Council
Brooke Asegu, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Global Human Resources Director
Haben Mebrahtu, SHRM-CP, Sr. HR Business Partner at RSI
Aster Gubay, Sr. Consultant at Deloitte Consulting, LLP, & Deputy Executive Director, YEP
Future-Ready Careers: Unleashing Potential in Tech Jobs:
Yebio Mesfin, Senior Technical Manager (Lead Solution Architect)
Zerubabel Kassa, MBA, PMP, Co-Founder and CEO, CDI Inc
Yared Gudeta, Senior Solutions Architect at Databricks
Adiam Miller, Systems Engineer, MITRE
Alem Abreha, Lead Systems Engineer, SalesForce
Unlock Opportunities: Small Business Resources & Support:
Esayas B. Gebrehiwot, Managing Director of ECDC Enterprise Development Group
Abera Bezuneh, Fairfax Insurance & Financial Services
Elias Woldu, Chairman of the Board, Ethio-American Chamber of Commerce
Selam Habte, Economic Developer with an Equity Focus
Alem Beshire, Founder, Yogaso Marketing, Moderator
Breakout Session: Minding YOUR Mind – Mental Illness & Mental Wellness:
Dr. Medhin GebreAmlak, DNP/PMHNP/FNP/MSN, Addis Health Services
Kedest Gebreselassie, RN, FNP-BC, PMHNP, Bright Behavior Health LLC
Dr. Eden Taye, DNP, MSN.Ed, MIS, BCN, PMHNP-BC, Dr. Eden Healthcare Services LLC
Meron Kassa, RN, BSN, ENANA’s Public Relations Officer, Moderator
Parents’ Journey: Raising Children with Special Needs:
Azeb Ataro Adere: Respected Leader and Advocate for Autism Support
Meron Worku, Licensed Master Social Worker
Samuel Tsadiq, Father, Special Needs Advocate
Haimanot Gulilat, RN, Special Needs Advocate, Board Member, EESNC
Empower Z: Amplifying Gen Z Perspectives:
Essey Workie, Managing Principal, Executive Coach, Senior Consultant at Multicultural Coaching
Liya Hizkias, Digital Storyteller
Isabel Bekele, Commerce Writer at InStyle Magazine
Meron Henok, Strategic Communications and PR Associate at Google
Emmanuel Ermias, Co-Founder of The Dome Podcast
High School to College Admission: Essential Tips and Resources:
Chernet Weldeab, Ph.D., Education Specialist, Montgomery College, Educational Opportunity Center
Melkam Lengereh, Ph.D., DCPS Early-Stage Program
Additional Activities:
Health & Fitness Pavilion:
Health & wellness games, activities, and giveaways provided by Kaiser Permanente
Free health screenings, CPR training, and Narcan training provided by MedStar Health and Ethiopian Nurses Association
Personal trainers & fitness consultants, martial arts demonstrations
Eskesta Workout with Fantish & Fikre
Healthy cooking demo by Chef Beth
Kids’ Corner:
Storytime and performances by Mama Kebe, Open Heart Big Dreams, Etan Comics, and Mad Science: Things That Go Boom, sponsored by The Goddard School of Bowie
Habesha Kids Club with various games and activities
HIS Academy providing arts & crafts and various summer camp style activities
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If You Attend:
Empower the Community Weekend 2024
July 27th
Walter E Washington Convention Center
VIRTUAL REGISTRATION & LIMITED IN-PERSON SEATING
Registration Here
More info at: www.empowercw.com
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