The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated (The
“EWF” or the “Federation”),
is a not-for-profit membership organization, incorporated in
New York City in 1937, which holds Special Consultative Status with the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. It is a
tax exempt 501(C)4 Civic League, Social welfare organization having non-profit
501(C)3 status as well. The organizational structure provides for child
entities (Locals) functioning to carry out the organization’s Aims and Objects
on a grassroots level in their resident domains. The Locals provide the membership
base and function through several committees and units each having their own
responsibilities – youth, health, education, housing, women’s issues, music,
ways and means etc. Any 25 qualifying members can submit a request to form a
Local in their community.
§ History
In The Real Facts about Ethiopia,
J. A. Rogers, writing of His Imperial Majesty, states: “Lastly, in one of his
declarations Haile Selassie announced that he is the head, not only of
Ethiopia, but of all people of African descent everywhere.”
During the
Italian invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1941) a group of prominent Harlemites who
were leaders of United Aid For Africa sought an audience with the Emperor of
Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, who was in exile in Bath,
England at the time to discuss “financial matters”. In response to their
request for His assistance and oversight in providing a coordinated and
organized effort to support Ethiopia in her time of need, His Majesty empowered
His emissary, cousin and personal physician, Dr. Malaku Emanuel Bayen, to
establish the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated with a Constitution and
Bylaws with a lofty set of aims and objects summarized in this preamble:
“We the Black People of the World, in order to effect Unity,
Solidarity, Liberty, Freedom and self-determination, to secure Justice and
maintain the Integrity of Ethiopia, which is our divine heritage, do hereby
establish and ordain this constitution for The Ethiopian World Federation,
Incorporated”.
In 1945 the
Emperor granted land in Shashemene, Ethiopia into the care of the EWF, Inc. for
sons and daughters of African Slaves in the Diaspora who desired to return to
the Motherland – with a promise to provide more land as needed. He
therefore created a Perpetual Land Grant. In 1970, the Emperor personally
appointed Ras Marcus Selassie (Solomon Wolfe), then a Director of the EWF, Inc.
Charter #43 in Kingston, Jamaica as Administrator of the Land Grant. He still
maintains his post, living on the Land Grant, and along with the EWF, Inc.
Resident Country Representative, can be reached at: 011-251-4611-03925.
Benefits
of Membership
Based
on the Constitution and By-laws of our Organization, the
following are some of the benefits that The Ethiopian World Federation,
Incorporated is expected to provide for its members, and some that it may elect
to provide based on its registration, the social and economic issues facing the
membership, and the character of the organization. Locals and
Headquarters must work together to attain our aims and objects and provide
charitable services “without fee or charge”. We welcome members and
professionals (member or non-member) who can offer services to our members and
the communities that we live in – at home and abroad.
|
§ Sovereignty
& Indigenous Rights
§ Repatriation
& Reparations
§ Employment
§ All
areas and level of Education
§ Welfare/Social
Services
§ Health
Services
§ Death
Benefit
|
§ Credit
Union
§ Labor
Union
§ Housing
§ Vocational
Training
§ Industry,
Agriculture, Trade, Cooperatives
§ Legal
Support
§ Prison
Services /Ministry
|
§ Juvenile/Children
Services
§ Rehabilitation
(Drug and Crime)
§ Homeless
Services
§ Music
Unit/ Cultural Expression
§ Women’s
Issues
§ Senior
Services
|
The membership of The
Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated is committed to “doing all we can to
restore the continent of Ethiopia-Africa to her former state of complete
independence and self-reliance thereby effecting a social and economic
betterment of the race everywhere and humanity in general.” All members
are encouraged to become involved in a revitalized effort by the organization,
which includes:
§ (a)
attaining the aims and objects of the Constitution; (
§ b)
participating in an international membership drive – each one bring one;
§ (c)
developing local charitable programs;
§ (d)
participating in at least one Local and one International Committee;
§ (e)
helping to raise funds to function the registered projects in Ethiopia,
§ (f)
coming together with a united approach for the organized Repatriation with
adequate Reparations for the Black Family in the Diaspora with involvement of
International agencies, world governments and other entities that benefited
from the African holocaust. Excerpts of the Aims and Objects:
Article
I Section 2. The aims and objects of the Ethiopian World Federation,
Incorporated, shall be:
§ (a) To
promote love and good-will among Ethiopians at home and abroad and thereby to
maintain the integrity and sovereignty of
Ethiopia, to disseminate the ancient Ethiopian culture among its members, to
correct abuses, relieve oppression and carve for ourselves and our posterity, a
destiny comparable with our idea of perfect manhood and God’s purpose in
creating us; that we may not only save ourselves from annihilation, but carve
for ourselves a place in the Sun: in this endeavor, we determine to seek peace
and pursue it, for it is the will of God for man.
§ (b) To
promote and pursue happiness; for it is the goal of human life and endeavor.
§ (c) To
usher in the teaching and practice of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood
of man.
LOCALS
Locals (branches or
charters) of the Federation are located worldwide. The Constitution has
guidelines for the function of Locals and the Executive Council/Board of
Directors/Headquarters, and provides for Committees and units addressing
matters including membership, ways and means, education, information, juvenile
and musical units, women’s issues, publicity, health, a Death benefit,
etc. Locals must function to benefit their communities by providing
charitable services within their domestic domain. Membership joining fee still
remains at US$1.00 and membership dues are only 10c per week ($5.20 per year) –
as it was in 1937. Donations are also welcome.anthon
