Journalist and Master of Ceremonies Wendwesen Kebede Receives Recognition in the United States
By Ezra Ejigu (Tewodaj Media)
In the U.S. state of Virginia, the City of Alexandria has officially designated November 30 as “Wendwesen Kebede Day.” This great honor was bestowed in recognition of Wendwesen Kebede’s contributions to media work. Speaking one month ago with Tewodaj Media, Wendwesen Kebede stated that this is a major recognition.
The Amharic Encyclopedia Mezgebä Aemero, Volume Two (published six months ago), documented Wendwesen Kebede’s history, and we present his professional biography below in connection with this recognition.
Congratulations on reaching this honor, Wende!!!!
Birth, Childhood, and Education
Wendwesen Kebede was born in 1964 E.C. in Addis Ababa, in the Rufail area. From the age of one until fourth grade, he grew up around Qechene Medhanealem Medarasha in the Chelot neighborhood.
From kindergarten through fourth grade, he attended Bethlehem School. After his family moved to Addis Qera, he studied from fifth to seventh grade at Fit Awurari Laqe Adegeh (Gofa) School, and completed eighth grade at Netsanet Chora School.
He completed his secondary education at Nefas Silk General Secondary School.
His higher education focused on technical studies. He graduated with a diploma in General Mechanics from Addis Technical College; earned certificates in Urban Master Planning and Plumbing Installation from O.I.C.E. International; and obtained a certificate in Auto Mechanics through distance learning.
Professional Career
He began his professional career at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center, hosting, organizing, consulting, and coordinating trade fairs, bazaars, and festivals. Alongside this, he worked at Radio Fana as a sports journalist and news reader, serving for seven years.
In sports journalism, he completed training organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and received a certificate. He also attended numerous journalism and communication trainings and earned multiple certificates.
He produced a video titled “Guramayle,” which includes short dramas and cultural music.
He established an advertising company called WBK, through which he produced numerous television and radio advertisements as well as organizational documentaries.
He has hosted numerous national and international events at the Exhibition Center, Meskel Square, Hawassa City, and various other locations.
He founded a nonprofit organization called Tsegaye Eshetu Music Lovers Association, through which he has supported between two thousand and nearly ten thousand orphans and vulnerable individuals by providing holiday meals, covering students’ educational expenses, and creating opportunities for self-reliance.
Artistic Inclination
From childhood, he followed international radio (Voice of the Gospel), Gedadi Ethiopia, and Ethiopian Radio programs and news. While in high school, he served in mini-media initiatives and later contributed by sending articles to radio stations.
Personal Life and Current Activities
Wendwesen Kebede is married and has two high school–aged children. He resides in North America, in the state of Maryland. He has lived in the United States for twenty years.
He has worked by hosting, organizing, and coordinating major events held in Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Maryland; Seattle; Los Angeles; Atlanta; Dallas; and Denver, and he continues to work actively.
He established the only sports radio station in North America, Liyu Radio, and served for five years.
Together with colleagues, he launched a television program under the Ethiopian National Broadcasting Service (ENBS), which was broadcast on the American television channel WHUT.
He also co-founded Sendek Media, where he worked for two years, and served for several months at ENT Media.
Six months ago, he published a book featuring photographs he collected while hosting events.
Books
- A book titled “The History of Ethiopian Music from the 1980s to the 1990s,” prepared with numerous photographs and stories, will soon be presented to readers.
- A forthcoming book focusing on his personal biography.
Coming Soon
- A serialized television drama titled “Marriage in America.”
- A new media outlet being established with colleagues, to be launched with a unique approach.
- A special serialized video production focusing on Ethiopian music of the 1980s and 1990s, currently in preparation.
