TsehaiNY.com exclusive interview with CNN Hero Alfa Demmellash

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Editor’s Note

In November 2007 we had an opportunity to meet and share with our readers the story of Alfa Demmellash, the co-founder and C.E.O. of Rising Tide Capital. This 29 year old Ethiopian woman is passionate about the work she is doing and hopeful of what lies before her. Rising Tide Capital provides the tools and guidance for underprivileged New Jersey residents to be self-reliant, and has graduated over 250 individuals from its Business Academy, in the last five years.

healywithalfa — Alfa Demmellash along with Co-founder of Rising Tide Capital Alex Forrester Meeting with Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy during Global Entrepreneurship Week - November 18, 2008

Given adequate resources Alfa plans to expand the reach of this organization to an international level. Alfa Demmellash who is an Ethiopian fighting poverty in America, has garnered the attention of various publications and has now been recognized for her work as one of the CNN Heroes of 2009.

Alfa is excited and grateful for the acknowledgement from CNN. As she states, “this gives us an opportunity to advocate for this cause on a larger platform”. She says, “people are not looking for a handout but rather an opportunity. We give them the tools and guidance, and at the end of the day, that is what it is all about. We are in the business of providing economic hope”. Alfa is also very grateful for the support from local sponsors in this time of economic slowdown. She states, “Times are challenging, but in a moment of crisis, people respond, especially if they feel you are doing a good job.”

Click here for TsehaiNY’s article on Alfa from November 2007