July 15, 2021

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

With archaeological findings that date back to around 980 BCE, Ethiopia sits along the easternmost peninsula in Africa.

Not only does the culturally rich nation count as Africa’s oldest country, but some believe it’s the oldest in the world.

With a population of 112 million – roughly 70 percent of whom are 30 and under – Ethiopia has never suffered under colonization.

Moreover, unlike most others on the continent, Ethiopia has beaten back all attempts by would-be colonizers.

That and the many current reforms has Fitsum Arega, the Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, beaming confidently with expectations about the future of his nation.

“There is economic reform, vast investment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and energy,” Ambassador Arega told the Black Press during a meeting at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

“Ethiopia is an ancient country that takes care of its tradition and culture,” the Ambassador remarked.

“We have a youthful population, and that is the force for transformation.”

Ambassador Arega continued:          

“We want to engage more in manufacturing which requires labor and skill. Ethiopia has vast opportunities for textile and apparel manufacturing along the value chain, and we have the capacity to expand cotton production; we have power that is all generated from green energy.”

“Winemaking is good because of our soil and because in the daytime it is hot and at nighttime, it is very cold. So that is good for fermentation, so as you see, we are coming up with so many opportunities.”

Ambassador Arega said Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who just won another five-year term after a landslide election victory, have made reform their mission.

“The election was the first of its kind in terms of free and fairness,” the Ambassador stated.

He said with the expansion of educational opportunities, Ethiopia is poised to launch a large skilled labor pool to meet the demands of a diversified economy.

Among Ethiopia’s priorities are agriculture, manufacturing, energy, ICT, mining and tourism among others, the Ambassador noted.

“We have a home-grown economy reform program where we are enabling the private sector to play more of a role. In the past, the public sector played a big role.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Arega noted that Ethiopia had invested heavily in infrastructure and built the fastest electric railway. over rugged terrain.

“We want to build on democracy,” Ambassador Arega declared, noting that everyone is proud that the African Union continues to headquarter in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The Ambassador, who twice met with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., said the Black Press of America help must tell Ethiopia’s story of reform and prosperity.

But there have been some disappointments.

“I went to Congress to discuss the GERD issue, and one of the congressmen opened a New York Times article [quoting just one farmer in Egypt], who complained about what we are doing,” Ambassador Arega demurred.

“We’ve been sending many Op-ed pieces, press releases and other statement to the mainstream press to ensure a balanced perspective, but so far most of the stories have been one-sided.”

Dr. Chavis announced, “I am so very pleased to state on-the-record that the Black Press of America via the NNPA is now in the process of establishing a strategic media partnership between the NNPA and the Ethiopian Press.

“Our two trade associations will work together henceforth on economic sustainability interests, international media relations in print, digital and social media, and on sponsoring mutual trade delegations between the United States and Ethiopia with specific focus on Black-owned businesses in America and in Ethiopia.

“This will be another answer to the centuries-long prayers of all people of African descent for global unity, progress and empowerment.”

In 2011, Ethiopia announced to build a hydroelectric dam on its Abbay River, known to outsiders as the Blue Nile or Nile River.

The dam was named the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) because it was designed to bring about the economic renewal of Ethiopia, Ambassador Arega told NNPA Newswire.

In an op-ed, he wrote that the GERD would be the largest hydropower dam in Africa.

When completed, it is expected to generate more than 5,000 MW installed power generation capacity and will have more than two times the capacity of Hoover Dam.

The total capacity of the reservoir is 74 billion cubic meters to be filled over several years. It will cost nearly $5 billion to complete the dam, Ambassador Arega continued.

The GERD has now reached 81 percent completion, including 98.5 percent of civil, 55 percent electromechanical, and 55.3 percent of the hydroelectric structure.

“Ethiopia generates 85 percent of the Nile River flow, but colonial-era and postcolonial agreements on the Nile, to which Ethiopia was not a party, have given Egypt the disproportionate amount of water while giving Sudan a lesser amount,” the Ambassador wrote.

“These agreements gave zero water allocation to Ethiopia. Egypt today wants to keep the old colonial arrangement in place in one form or another.”

According to a 2018 World Bank report, “About 70 percent of the population in Ethiopia live without electricity.”

The GERD aims to provide access to electricity to more than 60 million Ethiopians and provide affordable electricity to the service, industrial and agricultural sectors.

“It also aligns with Ethiopia’s green development ambitions as it represents a sustainable socio-economic project replacing fossil fuels reducing CO2 emissions,” Ambassador Arega continued.

“Therefore, for Ethiopia, building the GERD is not a matter of choice, but an economic and developmental necessity and the way out of poverty for a nation of 112 million people.”

July 08, 2021

By Betti Halsell

Contributing Writer 

Taelor Bakewell represents a strong voice for the Black community as the newly commissioned board member for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). Bakewell pulls strength and motivation from her loved ones and incorporates that support into bigger strides for improvement within the City of Los Angeles. 

With previous career milestones as senior crisis management specialist and official spokesperson for Southern California Edison (SCE), head of public relations for Taste of Soul, and digital director for L.A. Sentinel, Bakewell is looking to apply her experience towards her new role in HACLA. 

HACLA was established in the 1930s, stemming from a local directive (No. 1241) and now has become “the nation’s largest and leading public housing authority, providing the largest supply of quality affordable housing to residents of Los Angeles.”

Familiar programs under the HACLA umbrella include collaborations with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), such as the HACLA annual Capital Fund, the annual operating subsidy, Section 8 administrative fees, and rent from public housing residents.

The annual budget according to the HACLA website is more than $1 billion. 

Additional programs HACLA provides includes, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS), the Homeless Program, Homeownership Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA), and many more. 

The mission behind this community-based firm is to preserve, enhance, and expand deeply affordable housing and improving of life for Angelenos; their focus is on the “people, place, and pathways to opportunity.”

Those principles are completely aligned with Bakewell’s vision; she is set on empowering the people around her. Commissioner Bakewell was appointed to HACLA’s Board on May 25, 2021.  As HACLA looks to remedy concerns for those living below the poverty line, Bakewell will provide a balanced voice to amplify the needs of the community.  

The newly commissioned board member reflected on her role and stated, “It is such an honor to be a part of this commission,” Bakewell continued, “The body of HACLA does amazing critical work and I am so honored to have my voice in the conversation in supporting the needs of the underserved.”

Bakewell was raised to embrace and be involved in her community. Following her upbringing, Bakewell became ignited by the improvements seen across her community and decided to follow that lane set by the Bakewell family name. 

As senior crisis manager for SCE, Bakewell had to face strenuous circumstances directly. Through her experience, she has developed an energy of resolve and ingenuity to get through various circumstances that some perceive to be beyond repair. 

Prior to joining SCE, she worked in her family-owned businesses, which are also pillars in the Black Community. Bakewell earned her role as lead public relations for Taste of Soul, the largest street festival west of Mississippi.   In addition, Commissioner Bakewell headed the development of LA Sentinel’s digital media department.

For most of her life, Bakewell understood what her contributions mean to the rest of the community. She is part of the next generation of her family’s legacy and mission, making a difference for people in the Black community.  Bakewell contemplated the impact of community involvement in her earlier stages of life.  She stated, “I come from a background where civil rights and community involvement is really important and I have a lens that allows me to look at this from a holistic perspective—like Black people being impacted by housing.” According to the L.A. Times, the unsheltered population reaches over 66,000 and over 25 percent of that community is Black. 

The Commissioner of HACLA continued, “I think I'm coming from a really unique perspective; one that is ingrained in the community.  I really want to make an impact in this space.”

Bakewell elaborated on her family’s footprints in the community; that is what fuels her love for what she does as commissioner.  She stated, “Working at the Sentinel, you get people from all walks of life—so, I think that really prepared me to be a commissioner for HACLA and to have such a well-rounded perspective—to really observe and understand the way different people live and how this city can impact how people live their lives.”

As a Black woman lending her perspective to HACLA, Bakewell reflected on all the strong women who molded her for this moment. “I have a really strong family.  I look to my grandmother, Aline Bakewell, my mother, Tana Bakewell, my aunts, of course, my dad and grandfather, “she said.

“Like I said, I have a really strong family that supports me in everything that I do and have always allowed me to be myself. When this opportunity came, they were incredibly supportive and told me they couldn’t think of anyone better to do the job.”  Bakewell stated that she is regularly researching and talking with her fellow board members to receive a “360” view of her projects and vision. She has attended several board meetings since her appointment. Bakewell explained she meets with members of the organization regularly.  So far, she has felt extremely welcomed at the HACLA organization. She also shared her gratitude for Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti in seeing that Bakewell was seamless fit for the job. 

Bakewell is a L.A. native who graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg School of Communications and Lusk School for Real Estate Development, in addition to also receiving her credentials in California realty. This prepared her to work on major real estate projects in the heart of South Los Angeles, Compton, and parts of Pasadena and up the coast of California. 

As a strategist and business woman of color, Bakewell’s priority is to be an advocate for the collective culture, pulling from her roots of community-oriented organizations, such as the Brotherhood Crusade and Mothers in Action. The goal for Bakewell is to form a pathway for more resources to be available for improved quality of life for all. 

Bakewell stated her mission, “I want to make an impact. I want to move the needle—and so, it takes that little bit of legwork but the support of my family and friends, along with seeing the impact on the community I love, gives me all the confidence to know that I’m the best person to do this.” 

July 08,2021

LAWT News Service

As part of the ongoing initiatives to advance diversity and equity, Monique Earl has been named to lead the newly-created Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.  Earl will become part of the senior management team reporting to General Manager Martin Adams, and will be responsible for the oversight of policies, practices and programs designed to improve diversity and opportunities throughout LADWP and position the agency to better serve communities with the highest needs. As a Senior Assistant General Manager, Earl will also work to provide leadership, guidance and support in the internal and external development and implementation of the department’s Racial Equity Action Initiatives.

Earl’s career with the City of Los Angeles spans 20 years across the legislative, executive and administrative branches of government. During her roles with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Earl led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in recruitment, hiring and supplier diversity.

Earl has a strong leadership background having served as Chief Deputy Controller for City Controller Ron Galperin and Deputy Mayor of Budget and Financial Policy in the administration of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. She also has a long record of managing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts with a focus on workforce development, contracting, economic development and community engagement.

LADWP Board President, Cynthia McClain-Hill, a key architect behind the department’s Racial Equity Action Initiatives, said she was looking forward to working with Earl on the meaningful new Initiatives at LADWP. “Equity is about making sure everyone, especially people from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, have the opportunity to be successful at LADWP.  Monique Earl will be a welcome addition as LADWP’s first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer during this critical time,” said President McClain-Hill.

General Manager and Chief Engineer, Martin Adams said he wants to ensure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are not only valued, but reflected in every aspect of the department’s operations moving forward. “I am thrilled to have Monique join our leadership team. The energy, enthusiasm, and experience she brings will help LADWP move forward in all areas of DEI, both with our internal staff as well as how we serve communities across Los Angeles. Monique will play a key role in helping us make LADWP the best public agency it can be.”

“It is an honor and huge responsibility to join LADWP in this pivotal role. I look forward to building upon the DEI foundation the Department is laying and establishing a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and valued,” Ms. Earl said.

The creation of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion took on a sense of urgency after Mayor Eric Garcetti issued Executive Directive No. 27.  The Directive was issued after the death of George Floyd and unprecedented nationwide demonstrations for social justice and elimination of institutional racism.  The Executive Directive instructs all city departments to create a Racial Equity Action Plan to promote equity throughout Los Angeles. The broader set of Initiatives, along with efforts to address gender equity and other workforce diversity issues, will be led by Earl and the new DEI office.