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As a descendant of Eritrean immigrants, Semhar Araia was raised in a diaspora community. This inspired her to go on and support people of the diaspora and promote international development. And so today as UNICEF USA’s Managing Director for Diaspora and Multicultural Partnerships, she advocates engagement within the diaspora communities of more than 70 countries in the United States.
Native New Yorker and head of Diaspora Partnerships at UNICEF USA, Semhar Araia has been professionally uplifting, empowering and working with communities who want to make a difference around the world for the past 15 years.
In a room with 11 White House Champions of Change, Semhar Araia ’99 was meeting with the president.
Her cohort that day in April 2012 included individuals who had dedicated their lives to causes such as veterans’ issues, housing and health care. They had an hour with President Barack Obama and each was given the opportunity to describe their work. Semhar Araia ’99 was the last to present.
This month, Semhar Araia, UNICEF USA’s Managing Director of Diaspora and Multicultural Partnerships, was afforded the opportunity to testify in a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Nothing quite prepares you for a moment like this. I am incredibly honored to be a part of the new Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture (@NMAAHC), which held its grand opening in September 24, 2016 in Washington, DC. I was invited to share a piece of our community's history, the diaspora journey and some of my thoughts on what being African-American means to me.
The #FPwomerati list includes the invigorating diversity of local voices with insider information and breaking news who are not to be missed.
As the African Union prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, debate over its triumphs and failures grows. So what will be the legacy of the AU? And what role has it played in fostering Pan-Africanism?
Local communities in the Washington region are reeling from recent tragedies on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Many families have connections to the waves of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe – including the Ethiopians killed by the Islamic State in Libya last month. Kojo explores the aftershocks of these events and traces their connections to neighborhoods in the Washington area.
Semhar Araia is an Eritrean-American with what she describes as a portfolio career. She is a lecturer in conflict studies and is currently focussing on promoting the role of the diaspora in Africa's development.
Diaspora groups are increasingly mentioned in development literature, but how do they build the capacity they need to influence the agenda?
his list presents the most influential and inspiring African women entrepreneurs and executives who are based in the United States which you may or may not have heard of prior to now.
An African City highlights a segment of the global African population, says Semhar Araia, founder of the US-based Diaspora African Women’s Network, or DAWN. “Nicole Amarteifio is showcasing what it really feels like for anyone to return to their country of heritage, returning to the home you thought you knew . . . where maybe the culture you were raised in or grew up in is not aligned with the African one you come home to.”
On October 16th, as part of Global Diaspora Week 2014, the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN) in cooperation with the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) invited diaspora leaders and community members to participate in a 2-hour leadership training session with DAWN’s Executive Director, Semhar Araia, on the basic tenets of organizational leadership, public service and finding mission-driven work.
This month’s professional spotlight features Semhar Araia. Semhar currently serves as the Managing Director for Diaspora and Multicultural Partnerships at UNICEF, but has extensive experience serving diaspora communities across many facets.
Diaspora Organizations
