Great Achievements of a Young Ethiopian Author Awarded

Minilik II Victor of Adowa

Dina Mengistu, son of our prominent member “Tesfaye Mengistu” was honored, as MacArthur’s fellow for 2012. Dinaw was one of the 23 that won the award for 2012. The MacArthur Fellowship honors outstanding works in many fields of specialization. Dinaw is selected from the field of Arts for his literary works. Dinaw, a novelist and journalist is 34.

Dinaw was born in Addis Ababa in 1970. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1972 when Dinaw was only 2 years old. The family then settled in a Chicago Suburb where Dinaw was raised receiving special care and guidance from his parents. He obtained his first degree from George Town University and his second from Colombia University. His first novel, “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears” was published in March 2007 by Penguin Riverhead, U.S.A. With its astounding story about a young Ethiopian immigrant stepping on troubles in a life journey at home and abroad the book attracted a number of readers and had to be translated into more than twelve languages. It was also added to the New York Times Notable books. His second novel, “How to Read the Air “was rewarded by the Dayton Peace Price for Literacy. (http://mfa.cedarcrest.edu/faculty/dinaw-mengetsu/) According to information we obtained in Wikipedia Dinaw was awarded by a number of institutes for his outstanding literary works including the New Yorker “20 Under 40”, 2010, The Los Angeles Times Book Price, The New York Public Library, The Dylan Thomas Price, Prix du Premier Meilleur Roman Etranger, 2007Grand Prix de Lectrices de Elle, Finalist 2007, Prix Femina Etranger, Finalist, 2007, The Guardian First Book Award, The National Book Award Foundation, and the Lannant Fiction Fellowship.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinaw_Mengestu#Early_life_and_education)

Dinaw's father Ato Tesfaye Mengistu apart from raising his son so profoundly has been advocating the respect of human rights, the prevalence of peace and democracy and the rule of law in Ethiopia through political support groups in which he played pioneering roles first in  Support Group for the "Ethiopian Democratic Party" (EDP) and thereafter in the renown Support Group for "Kinijit" in North America and lately in "Support Group for AEUP in North America (SGAEUPNA).