Addis’s mother knew exactly what she was doing when she gave Addis her name; she truly is giving new life to a generation of outstanding achievers.

posted:  Monday, July 12, 2010


Name:  Addis Embiyalow

Home Town:      Toronto, Canada

Current Town:  Toronto Canada

There are not too many people as active and passionate about life as Addis Embiyalow. Maybe this enthusiasm for life can be traced back to her birth, when Addis was born on the first day of the year (New Years Day) and in the process of her introduction to life, Addis almost lost her mother.  Addis’s mother survived this near death experience and as a consequence named her only daughter Addis—as in Addis Hiwot, Addis Amet (New Life or New Year; symbolic of a New Beginning). From that moment on, it seems that Addis has never taken life for granted, expanding her creative talents from delving into acting, music, dance, modeling, athletics, and much more. An all around dynamic woman, Addis embodies the spirit of Yitchalal in ways that is beyond description.

At a young age, Addis Embiyalow is armed with numerous years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry. Addis has worked with some of the top artists and community leaders across Canada. From 2004-2008, Addis was the Executive Director of the Annual HELM Events, an annual fashion show / social benefiting WaterCan (www.WaterCan.com). With a love for philanthropy and the arts, Addis is the Producer of Sound the Horn, responsible for the annual Selam Youth Festival (SYF). SYF is an annual youth arts performance festival in Toronto with the aimed to educating and empowering Ethiopian and Eritrean youths through the arts, whilst addressing issues related to sexual health, HIV/AIDS awareness and addressing stigma in the habesha communities, generational/cultural disconnections, and the like. For more info, please visit www.soundthehorn.com.

click to find out about event

Perhaps it is best to let Addis describe her outlook towards life:  “the sky’s the limit. I’m only getting started. I’m a dreamer; an Optimist and a Realist. I’ve learned to embrace my entrepreneurial determination and instincts. Toronto, Canada will always be home no matter where I am in the world in the pursuit of my dreams.”

Addis is the personification of a Young Achiever who continues to make things happen.  It just goes to show you that our neighbors to the North are blessed with an abundance of Young Achievers who continue to amaze with their determination and their drive.  Addis’s mother knew exactly what she was doing when she gave Addis her name; she truly is giving new life to a generation of outstanding achievers. To keep up with this Addis Embiyalow, follow her on twitter @LivetheA.