Assignment 1 Draft

Hi ladies - after surviving a flu bout...I was able to conduct my profile interview and would appreciate your feedback on my draft below. Thanks so much. Keep your heads up, stay focus, and continue to share your words. Hugz to you all.

Imagine with me a gathering, a colossal organization of the African Diaspora with one objective,
to take the helm and steer Africa towards brighter horizons. A unified Pan-African voice moving
beyond just presenting country-specific or regional issues in Africa, but rising to develop
communal solutions and recommendations that address the immediate and long-term needs
of the continent - Africa. This is a sentiment often harbored by people of African descent
within the depths of their spirits. This vision is equally shared by Semhar Araia, founder of
the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) in 2007. An online professional membership
network based in the District of Columbia, USA, for women of the African Diaspora who are
committed to African issues. A visionary and an eloquent community leader with a clear
demonstrated passion for Africa particularly East African affairs through her work as its regional
advisor for Oxfam International. Semhar’s interests are in the areas of humanitarianism, peace-
building, and conflict resolution in Africa.

Born of Eritrean parents in the United States, yet fully immersed in her cultural heritage. Till the
age of 4, she expressed herself solely in Tigrinya and humorously states that she “grew up in a
community center”. Semhar Araia was introduced to civic action at a very early age. Growing
up in a nationalist family, typical day-to-day life involved viral social consciousness activism,
widespread movements of change philosophies, and liberated self-expression. Her parents,
Eritrean natives, came to the United States in the 1970s on educational scholarships with
specific intentions of returning back to Eritrea to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from
their studies. Little did they know that having left during the brewing of what would become
infamously known as the 30-year Eritrean War of Independence (1961-1991), a full outburst
in the 1970s would redirect this vision. Semhar found herself introduced to a world of raising
sociopolitical awareness on important issues and organizing communities towards a call for an
action-response. Her parents and other Eritrean nationalist’s work in highlighting the plight of
Eritreans during the 30-year war to the United States and global community influenced her to
pursue an international law degree.

The inspiration of DAWN was fueled by an intense yearning to contribute to the development
of Africa. A trait that reflects marked evidence of having inherited her parents’ spirit. “How
do you deal with African issues modern day and age?” Ms. Araia asks, particularly since most
countries are in a post-conflict status. Motivated by a strong desire to help rebuild Eritrea,
she became involved in the legislative aspect of the 2000 Eritrea-Ethiopia Peace Agreement.
She even relocated back for 3 years, to live and work in the community, empowering citizens
to know their rights and work towards a better future for their homeland and the common
greater good of national peace. She believes that “Politics is not necessarily what changes
the country. It is citizens knowing what a state is suppose to do and not do. Citizens abroad

knowing their rights in the country they are in. We should be getting into the space where we
understand the process and how we change it.” Having obtained a wealth of knowledge on how
to broker peace and nurture collaborative exchanges on sensitive issues, she sought to be the
beacon that would direct other Africans who are abroad seeking guidance on how to help their
countries in Africa. “We all have a part of home in us and we want to help whether family to
family or business.”

According to the U.S. census American Community Surveys Briefs, the foreign-born population
has almost doubled between 1990 to 2009. Approximately 4% of the foreign-born population
were born in Africa, this is not inclusive of those with no legal status. With this mass migration,
two distinct sub-populations have emerged, yet from one continent. Some Africans were
displaced because they are fleeing post-conflict war-torn areas in search for safety and security.
Whereas, the other sub-population of Africans moved to the US whether temporarily or long-
term in search of a better life and for educational, professional, or economic advancement.
However, universally, a significant proportion of both groups share a fervent desire to help
their respective countries of origin.

In talking with Ms. Araia, DAWN seems like an organic product of a group of people with Africa
on their hearts, coming together to discourse and find solutions. DAWN’s membership boasts
of women on legislative staff at the U.S. Capitol, to the European Union, social and business
entrepreneurs, lawyers, health professionals, and artists. DAWN’s efforts support women of
the African Diaspora collectively increase their contributions to African Affairs from unique
perspectives whether anthropology, law, business, arts, or education.

This network is an example of the African Diaspora displaced globally desperately searching for
ways to meaningfully and effectively engage various constituents to collaborate on projects for
the long-term welfare of Africa. It is not unusual to find organizations and community leaders
with amazing innovative ideas for Africa working in isolation. By connecting and building a
network, their reach broadens and subsequently their impact as well. When policy developers
and other stakeholders are seeking information, they would not have to go too far to find
talented knowledgeable persons with a unified agenda – the benefit of Africa.

Another key aspect of DAWN is sisterhood. Building a supportive community that encourages its
members to network, seize opportunities to thrive, and have fun. Members are able to meet at monthly
gatherings at local area restaurants or informally at a member’s home. Conversation topics can span
a number of areas from negotiating the cultural differences and finding the balance in the work

environment with people to current events in Africa. DAWN makes it possible for an African
Woman to sit at the table with decision makers on African Affairs and know that she has access
to a supportive network of sisters within reach.

One cannot help but equivocate Ms. Semhar sentiments that “Collectively its always worked
if we do it together…We need to be united”. This truly is just the beginning. It is indeed
the DAWN-ing of a new era. Together, the African Diaspora can turn the seemingly bleak
trajectory of this continent into one of a “Happily-Ever After” ending.