KENENISSA BEKELE                                                                                                        Nominated by Solomon Araya
Kenenisa Bekele is only 25 in 2007 and he started competing on the world stage in 2001 at the age of 19.  Yet he has won five 3000m, five 5000m, three 10,000m, five Cross Country Championships (Long Race), two Cross Country Championships (Junior Race), and six Cross Country Championships (Short Race) titles so far.  Haile Gebreselassie made us all proud time and time again in the last few years braking 18 world records, winning two Olympic 10,000m gold medals and four world 10,000m titles. But now we have entered another era in which Haile passed his impervious running excellence on to someone who seems to have the potential to be even greater – Kenenissa Bekele.

He represents the best of Ethiopia and sets a perfect example as to what the Ethiopian youth can achieve.  Each one of his victories inspires thousands of young Ethiopians to try and follow their dreams in the field of their choice.  He sends the message through achieving the unthinkable that anything is possible is possible.

THEODROS KASSAHUN (TEDDY AFRO)                                                                  Nominated by Samrawit Alemu
Teddy Afro is the new voice of contemporary Ethiopian music. He achieved a cult following at a time when competition in the Ethiopian pop music industry is at its highest. His dramatic success is attributable to his skilful ability to win the hearts and minds of the youth through his youthful style of singing. Many say that his popularity is also a result of his apparent passion for Ethiopia. His songs about Ethiopia have been able to reinvigorate Ethiopians' love and admiration towards their country and have caused an upsurge of patriotism particularly among the youth. He also sang about the outstanding achievements of Ethiopia's finest and greatest athlete - Haile Gebreselassie - and the new athletics hero - Kenenissa Bekele. In this particular song, the two national heroes have been hailed and praised for they have done the unthinkable. And everyone in Ethiopia has been singing about Haile and Kenenissa and that would have never happened if it wasn't for Teddy's creativity.

If music is about getting important messages across in a sentimental and rhythmic fashion to the delight of the intended audience, Tedy's songs are qualified examples of such distinction. And the fact that he is possibly the youngest-ever Ethiopian pop-star to have achieved such a far-reaching recognition, there remains growing anticipation among Ethiopians for even more of Teddy. 

ROBEL TEKLEMARIAM                                                                                                  Nominated by Teshome Gebre
Robel Teklemariam is a young Ethiopian skier who left his country at the age of nine for the United States.  He realized his dreams of skiing for Ethiopia at the Winter Olympics 2006 in Torino – Italy - through his own tremendous efforts.   He became the first Ethiopian to compete in the Winter Olympics on 11 February 2006 carrying the Ethiopian national flag into the Olympic stadium in Torino for the opening ceremony leading an Ethiopian team of one.  Western media outlets found Robel's story very interesting and have run several stories about the fact that Ethiopia was represented at the Winter Olympics for the first time ever and by one athlete. He finished his race in the men's 15 km classical cross-country skiing in 9 minutes and 52.5 seconds behind gold medallist Andrus Veerpalu of Estonia.

Robel founded the Ethiopian National Ski Federation in 2005 to provide an opportunity for Ethiopian skiers to participate in official ski races including the Winter Olympics with the financial help of Ethiopian expatriates around the world.

Robel has been working as a ski instructor for many years and is eager to encourage Ethiopian athletes to experience the challenge and excitement of skiing. He believes that if they are given the opportunity - a number of young Ethiopians in Europe, Canada, the United States and other countries - where skiing is common - could master this sport and participate in international races including the Winter Olympics.  It is the vision of Robel and his federation to make Ethiopia a permanent member of the ski racing community.  He is an inspiration, a talented and passionate skier and a proud Ethiopian.  The lessons the Ethiopian youth can learn from his pioneering efforts are enormous.

LIYA KEBEDE                                                                                           Nominated by Selamawit Assegedew
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian who has become an international Supermodel. She was born and raised in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia. While in school at the French Lycee in Addis - a film director spotted the young beauty and introduced her to a French modeling agent. After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a local Parisian agency. Liya relocated to the city of New York in the United States where she currently resides.

She is 28 in 2006 and has appeared on the cover pages of many international magazines including, Time Magazine in the United States, Italian, Japanese, Korean & Spanish Vogue, Numero, V, French, Flair, i-D, South African Elle, Harper’s & Queen, Essence, and Time’s Style & Design issue.

In February of 2003, Liya became the newest face of Esteé Lauder cosmetics – the first African woman to serve as a representative of its brand’s 59-year history, joining other renowned international personalities in the industry.  In 2005, she was appointed as World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Liya is a mother of one and responsibilities of being WHO Goodwill Ambassador will include raising global awareness of maternal and child health issues, and helping WHO in its campaign to improve the health of mothers and children. Her appointment took place in the run up to World Health Day 2005. 

And she has also set up The Liya Kebede foundation with the mission to reduce maternal newborn and child mortality and to improve the health and wellbeing of mother and children around the world.  Through her foundation, she is dedicated to helping mothers and children in Ethiopia and one such example is her collaboration with the Princess Tsehai Hospital in Addis Ababa which has resulted in the expansion of the hospital compound.

Liya Kebede is in a unique position not many Ethiopian women have experience of.  She has achieved what is impossible for many and remains close to her origins and is very humble.  She is an inspiration not just to the young women in Ethiopia but also to everyone who appreciates successful, diligent and humble people with commitment to give back to community.

ABEGASU KIBREWORK SHIOTA                                                                                  Nominated by Nebiyat Aklilu
Almost every successful music album that has been released in Ethiopia of major Ethiopian artist at least for the last decade now, bares the name Abegasu Kibrework Shiota.  He is the country’s most talented young producer and arranger who has contributed enormously to the growth of contemporary music in Ethiopia.   

Abegasu is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston - Massachusetts. Hi's primary instrument is the piano and the music he has produced for Ethiopia’s best musicians are testimony to his talent and unique style that set him apart from others in the industry.  And the fact that he achieved unparalleled prominence as a young music producer and arranger has no doubt inspired the youth of Ethiopia.  The country might have had countless talented producers and arrangers before Abegasu.  But he is by far the country’s most talented young professional in the field.