06/11/2026
ARLINGTON, VA – June 9, 2026, The Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) hosted its 2026 Annual Fundraising Gala on June 9 at Mason Square, bringing together community leaders, supporters, refugees, immigrants, sponsors, and friends to celebrate 43 years of community service and empowerment.
Under the theme "Celebrating Welcome," the gala highlighted ECDC's decades-long commitment to helping newcomers build successful lives in the United States. The evening featured inspiring speeches, cultural performances, awards presentations, fundraising efforts, and powerful stories of resilience and achievement.
Gala Chair Mel Negussie welcomed guests and expressed special appreciation to former Gala Chair Mrs. Zed Wondimu for her exceptional leadership of the 2024 and 2025 ECDC Fundraising Galas. He thanked her for her dedication, vision, and commitment to ECDC's mission, noting that her leadership helped strengthen the organization's impact and support for refugees, immigrants, and newcomers. He also reflected on ECDC's remarkable achievements, highlighting that the organization has helped welcome more than 250,000 newcomers since becoming a refugee resettlement agency in 1991.
A special memorial tribute was presented by Gala Chair Mel Negussie in honor of the late Judge William Newman Jr., who served as Arlington's first Black County Board member and later as Chief Judge of the Arlington Circuit Court. Mel recognized Judge Newman's outstanding leadership, dedication to public service, and steadfast support of ECDC and its mission. The tribute highlighted his lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and community empowerment, reminding attendees that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations throughout Arlington and beyond.
Founder and CEO Dr. Tsehaye Teferra delivered a heartfelt message about the power of welcome, compassion, and opportunity, reminding attendees that, “Welcome is not a slogan. Welcome is a verb.”
Special remarks were delivered by Takis P. Karantonis, who served as the Gala's Honorary Chair. He praised ECDC for strengthening communities across the nation and reaffirmed the important role immigrants and refugees play in America's success.
The evening was masterfully hosted by award-winning journalist Bofta Yimam, who opened the program with the inspiring song “Blackbird Fly” and guided guests through an engaging evening filled with cultural performances representing Indian, Ukrainian, and Afghan traditions, showcasing the diversity and richness of the communities ECDC serves.
A keynote address was delivered by Jeremy Konyndyk, who emphasized the importance of global humanitarian efforts and creating welcoming communities for displaced people around the world.
The gala was honored by the presence of numerous distinguished guests,
The gala also honored outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to humanitarian service and refugee advocacy. Award recipients included Professor Senait Fisseha, Mary Wagley Copp, and Refugees International, which received the 2026 Global Refugee Awareness Award.
The event concluded with a successful fundraising appeal, helping ensure that ECDC can continue providing vital services, including refugee resettlement, employment assistance, English language instruction, legal support, youth programs, and community integration services for thousands of families each year.
As guests celebrated, networked, and danced into the evening, the message was clear: for 43 years, ECDC has transformed lives by turning the spirit of welcome into action.
Congratulations to ECDC, its leadership, staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters for another successful gala and for 43 years of dedicated service to refugees, immigrants, and communities across the United States.
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Photo Credit: Lloyd Wolf Photography
Thank you, Wolf, for beautifully capturing the special moments of the ECDC 2026 Gala.