TsehaiNY.com staff
Published December 10, 2009

“We're [Brown Condor Productions] trying to show off the fact that Ethiopians and African Americans can get along, celebrate, work and have collective success together."
-Teddy Fikre, C.E.O., Brown Condor Productions

Teddy Fikre, C.E.O. of Brown Condor Productions and Member of Ethiopian Americans for Change, is keeping busy these days. Teddy is planning The Brown Condor Launch Celebration which will take place on December 12th, at Jin Lounge in Washington, D.C.

Perhaps no other story represents the deep and rich history Ethiopians and African Americans share rather than the story of Brown Condor.

Although Ethiopians and African Americans share a deep history, there is also a division that exists between the two communities. Teddy, who believes that we are all bonded by our African-ism, realizes “there’s a need for Ethiopians who grew up in America to reach out to the African American community and vice-versa. If we do that, then we’ll realize that through our diversity and common experiences, to stick together. If not, we fall individually.”

Through Brown Condor Productions, Teddy hopes to fuse the connection that exists between Ethiopia, the African Diaspora, and the African American community. “We have a strong and enduring pride that goes back to 1808 when Ethiopians and African Americans started the Abyssinia Church.” And so he began his work. Teddy spoke to performers, artists, and models to put together an event that’s free to the public. “We’re [Brown Condor Productions] trying to show off the fact that Ethiopians and African Americans can get along, celebrate, work and have collective success together.”

The event will feature models and performers that are African American, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Jamaican, Somali and Trinidadian. There will also be an art exhibit, music performances, and South African wine tasting. By combining all these elements, Teddy is sending a message that we are all one. “It’s fun and entertaining to have models from different backgrounds, but at the same time, there’s a message behind it.” While models will be wearing attire that represents their country, they will be walking on stage together and taking a bow together. “Hands held saying that we are united as one.”

For Teddy and many Ethiopian Americans, what the event represents hits home. “When I first came to America in 1982, the biggest tormentors I had were African Americans.” Teddy was called names and was so traumatized that he hated being black. Growing up in Woodbridge, VA didn’t help either. “I was the only black kid in class and among my friends, so I never fully appreciated being black.” Throughout his upbringing Teddy was also disassociated from the Ethiopian community. “All along I knew there was a big disconnect between Ethiopians and African Americans.” In college, things started to change. “I took my first history class and a white professor taught me about African American history and it opened up my eyes to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and all of a sudden I started appreciating being black.” Teddy was also exposed to black people and started to have African American friends. Ultimately this experience helped him to connect with the Ethiopian community. “For me, I live in both worlds. I am a hundred percent Ethiopian and I am also black because I grew up as an African American.”

In the future, Teddy hopes to have more events like this one, based on the feedback he gets. “The aim is to have different events that are similar to this one but it depends on the responses of the survey, and the overall turnout.” And of course, the community must be on board.

For more information visit www.browncondor.com.