“Education and the quest for knowledge stops only at the grave.” H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I, 18th May 1959

Roots International Arts Alliance, Inc.

Educational Development Funding Agenda

"Today, Our eyes and Our hopes are on all you graduates. We hope that the seeds of learning which you have received will, in the service which you render, ripen into an abundant harvest. We assumed the obligation to foster and expand education in Our nation both as a solemn duty, because the nation can flourish and grow only as the ranks of the teachers and students are expanded and filled as a matter of free will, because man would prefer to speak of his nation in terms of its educated men and women rather than by recounting the size of its population." H.I.M. Emperor Haile SelassieI, 1966 Graduation Address at Haile Selassie I University June 30, 1966

Mission and Purpose ROOTS International Arts Alliance, Inc. has partnered with the Emperor Haile Selassie First Memorial Association in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to raise funds for the following programs: • The Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Fund • The Emperor Haile Selassie I Alumni Association • The Emperor Haile Selassie Book Drive • The Library-Museum Construction Project

These noble programs are the vision of retired government officials who once held prominent positions within the Imperial government of Ethiopia’s last King of Kings, Emperor Haile Selassie I, the 225th and the last King of Kings of the Solomonic Dynasty to sit upon the Throne of David, in in Ethiopia, modern times (1930-1975). ROOTS has committed to raising funds for the construction the Association’s educational development programs which includes the construction of satellite libraries and learning centers and the provision of annual four-year scholarships in support of the Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Program. ROOTS is also thoroughly committed to the Associations long-term plan to construct a world-class library-museum in memory of Emperor Haile Selassie I—a project which is projected to take 5-15 years (fundraising, planning, construction and implementation.

ROOTS International Arts Alliance, Inc. d/b/a

Emperor Haile Selassie I Association-USA The Queen of Sheba & Pharaohs‘ Educational Research Foundation

Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Fund Educational Development Project in Ethiopia

Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Program

Short-Term Goal Our goal is to support vision of the Haile Selassie I Memorial Association to expand their scholar’s program by providing 500 scholarships a year to selected Haile Selassie Scholars who have achieved outstanding results in their Certificate Examinations, but were hampered from continuing their university education for lack of financial resources. The total cost per student is $750/US for a for a four-year scholarship to cover room and board.

Long-term Goal & Lifetime Commitment

Library-Museum Construction 5-15 Year Project Long-Term Goal

A delegation is traveling to Ethiopia in July 2012 to meet with members of the Emperor Haile Selassie I Memorial Association to discuss architectural design, scope of work, timelines, materials (that will withstand the times for another 2,000 years) and construction cost for the proposed state-of-the-art library-museum, which will be dedicated to ancient and modern Ethiopian history in memory of Emperor Haile Selassie I, and thus will be a repository of ancient historical documents and books preserved on a state-of-the-art digital archive system.

Construction Project Architectural, Engineering Design Summer Programs

This program seeks the brightest Ethiopian and African-American architectural, engineering and science university students to assist with architectural design of a world-class library-museum and 10 satellite libraries. Students of environmental science will be asked to incorporate green technologies into the design which would include solar lighting. Selected Ethiopian students will receive small stipends and will work with professional architects and CAD specialists’ using the latest state-of-the-art architectural computer programs and technology to render the final design that will be used to determine overall cost of the project. The design of the library-museum and ten smaller learning centers will be based on ancient and modern Ethiopian architecture.

Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Program

Architectural, Engineering and Science Educational Exchange program

Ethiopian Children Library Book Drive …we need to collect 20,000 books to establish 10 libraries

Many children in remote areas in Ethiopia do not have access to books or libraries’ that support the development of basic literacy skills (reading comprehension). Our mission is to support the Emperor Haile Selassie I Memorial Association’s educational development program in Ethiopia by launching book drive to collect 20,000 , textbooks, general reading books encyclopedia’s, dictionaries and other appropriate reading materials for each library, based on the Ethiopian governments requirements for students of all ages.

Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Program

Library Book Drive Promoting Literacy in Ethiopia

Historical Expeditions to Ethiopia

Educational Expeditions and Tours to the Ethiopia Will stimulate the local economy in the areas of

Educational and Historical Tourism

• Historical expeditions and tours will be tailored to attract educators, clergy, historians, researchers, students and others who are interested in learning about ancient Ethiopian history first hand while touring the historic route in Ethiopia. Participants will be encouraged to contribute books, computers, and/or make financial contributions in support of the Emperor Haile Selassie I Scholars Program and Library-Museum Construction Project.

***SPECIAL EVENTS ***

The International Grand Opening of“The African Genesis:

Genesis 2:13

Traveling Museum Exh ibit, Symposium & BanquetThe ancient history of Ethiopia when she was known as

“Kush” told with multi-media presentations, lectures and

enlightening discussions over Ethiopian dinner

BaHar Dar, Ethiopia

November 1-4, 2011________

St. George’s Church

November 2, 2011 – 6:00AMExperience the Spiritual Traditions of The Ethiopian

Orthodox Church on the Diamond Jubilee of the Coronation

of Emperor Haile Selassie, the 225th King of Kings,

Lord of Lords Conquering Lion of Judah

Addis Ababa Tour: Courtesy visits with the Minister of

Sports & Culture, the Commissioner of Tourism, and the

Association of Ethiopian Patriots; Guided Tours of Trinity

Cathedral, Menelik Mausoleum, The National Museum,

Ethnological Museum, Mount Entoto, The Institute of

Ethiopian Studies, and more…

Bahar Dar – Location of the Garden of Eden and the Gihon River in Gen. 2:13; the source of the Nile in Egypt; here is found 37 Island monasteries & churches decorated with sacred paintings & icons.

Axum – “The Holy City” dates back more than 2,000 years; ancient capital of the Queen of Sheba, birthplace of Menelik Son of Solomon, Home of the Arc of the Covenant, St. Maryum Sion Church, giant Obelisks, sacred tombs and more;

Lalibella – “The 8th Wonder of the World” an ancient township located in the mountains, location of 11th Century Churches carved out of rock by hand;

Gondar – “The Camelot of Africa,” stroll through 16th Century Castles and Court Yards, visit the Debre Berhene Selassie Church “Trinity Church of Light,” view ancient paintings and icons;

Return to your ROOTS,before slavery…join us on a wonderful

adventure to the ancient land of Ethiopia, the Garden of Eden of the Bible and discover the African ROOTS of Christianity:

African-centered Educational Tours & Research Expeditions

2011 Educational TourDate and Cost

to be determined.

Fly Ethiopian Air

Earn Sheba Miles

Includes: Roundtrip domestic and international air + tax from Chicago,

New York, Atlanta and Miami (call for special rates from other cities or

from outside US), guided tours in Addis Ababa, Axum, Lalibella, Gondar &

Bahar Dar, hotel accommodations, 2 meals daily; ground transportation,

and entry fees to historic sites. Price subject to change based on seating

availability. Requires $300 Deposit. Balance due August 20, 2005.

Cancellations: 60 day notice required + $300 cancellation fee.

ROOTS INTERNATIONAL, INC

CALL 312-225-6000

FAX: 312-225-5795

Contact: Imani Kali-Nyah

Journey to

Ethiopia

www.rootsinternational.net/

AARCO Travel Agency

CALL 773-363-9500

FAX: 773-363-7164

1-800-445-4611Idella or Imani

International Inc

Educational Event

Ethiopian Tourism

Commission

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wolette Selassie President & CEO National Spokesperson Chicago, Illinois Nathaniel H. Mayes III Vice President & Director of International Youth Development Sacramento, California Erick Nickerson Director International Affairs Chicago, IL Iesha Scott Public Relations Director Chicago, IL

CHICAGO Email: haileselassie1

UNITED STATES

PO Box 803764 Chicago, IL 60680-3764 Tel: 872-244-7300 Fax: 773-268-1927 Email: rootsinternational@sbcglobal.net

ROOTS International Arts Alliance, Inc. d/b/a

Emperor Haile Selassie I Association-USA The Queen of Sheba & Pharaohs‘ Educational Research Foundation

Woletteselassie-Bio a/k/a Imani Kali-Nyah (Pen Name)/aka Barbara Miller (birth name)

Woletteselassie was born in a small southern town

in the heartland of Mississippi timber country, USA, in 1947; her father, grandfather and uncle supported the Ethiopianist Movement from inception in 1936; her father taught her from an early age that she was Ethiopian, that Ethiopia was the Garden of Eden; he that Emperor Haile Selassie I was the “only true King of Kings in the world.” Wolette was fascinated to learn about Benito Mussolini’s systematic mass-extermination campaign in Ethiopia that was carried out with poisonous gas sprayed from airplanes from 1935-1941. Wolette became frustration when her father couldn’t answer her young inquisitive questions and so, she promised herself, “when I grow and learn to read, I’ll find out what really happened,” and she did.

Twenty-five years later, in 1987, Woletteselassie founded ROOTS International Arts Alliance, Inc.(”ROOTS”), a non-profit, non-political 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation which was incorporated in the State of Illinois in ;1986 for cultural, educational, religious and scientific purposes. ROOTS has remained a corporation “In Good Standing” for the 25 years. In 1993, Wolette established the Ethiopian Holocaust Remembrance Committee (EHRC) with the support of a small but dedicated group of world renowned Ethiopian scholars, historians, and educators: the 1st International Board of Advisors included Dr. Ashenafe Kebede, Professor Richard Pankhurst, Ato Aberra Moltot, Lij Zaude Hailemariam, Dr. Getachew Haile, and Ato Abraham Alemu. The purpose of the EHRC was, and remain, to resurrect and address the long ignored history of Mussolini’s systematic mass-extermination campaign in Ethiopia from 1935-1941, the details of which have been hidden from public view for 75 years.

In 2000, Wolette Selassie’s published her first a book entitled, “The Special Year 2000 Edition of Italy’s Crimes in Ethiopia 1935-1941”; she also designed “The Day the Angels Cried” Traveling Museum Exhibit” as a companion to the book which has been on display at a number of colleges, universities, public libraries and educational events.

Wolette is known internationally for her dedication and commitment to the ideals of Emperor Haile Selassie I and to “preserving ancient Ethiopian history “for a future world humanity.” She has traveled extensively and is respected for her views on sensitive issues directly related to African-centered research and education. Wolette earned a BA in Mass Communications from Chicago State University, specializing in television and radio productions with an emphasis on investigative reporting; she is the executive producer of “African Worldview,” weekly television program which airs in Chicago, every Thursday night, on Channel 19 (the program is now in its 14th season); she has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to African/Ethiopian culture and history, most notably from two Chicago Mayors: Mayor Harold Washington (1985), and Mayor Richard Daley (1991), and the Empress Menen Award (1993); she is passionate about her work and is spiritually motivated to work for the upliftment of African people via African-centered Education. mission in life is to serve humanity by putting “People First”. (“Wolette Selassie (her spiritual Ethiopian name) is a researcher/public speaker, author and published writer; she is currently employed by the City of Chicago as an Assistant to the Deputy Corporation Counsel).

President & CEO,

Emperor Haile Selassie I Association - USA

Nathaniel Mayes:

Executive Vice-President

Emperor Haile Selassie Association - USA

Nathaniel H. Mayes, III was born in

Washington, D.C., into a family of educators,

and raised in Elk Grove, California, just outside

of the state capital of Sacramento. After

obtaining a B.A. in Finance from Morehouse

College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1987, Nathaniel began a career in government, working

for the California State Assembly legislature as Assistant Clerk in the Engrossing and

Enrolling office, where he is co-manager of the Assembly’s in-house editing department

for all proposed legislation.

Over the years, Mr. Mayes has donated his time in community service in the areas

of education and international trade with Africa: Mr. Mays wrote a proposal to export and

deploy new solar-energy and hydro-technology to Senegal, West Africa which provided

Senegal with a feasible resolution for water purification and solar-energy to rural

communities in Senegal. The proposal generated an offer of partnership from the

Ministry of Scientific Research.

Currently, Mr. Mays I President & CEO of the Queen of Sheba and Pharaohs’

Historical and Educational Research Foundation, which was established on May 22,

1989, by the late Dr. Robert B. Kennon, PhD (Lij Makonnen), a Sacramento City College

professor emeritus and former adviser to the late Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia;

Dr. Kennon established the Foundation with the approval of Emperor Haile Selassie) in

order to introduce African-Americans to the ancient rich cultural history (“High Culture”

of Ethiopia and to establish international trade between Africa and African-Americans.

In continuing the work of Dr. Kennon, Mr. Mays has establish education and trade

programs for college students of African descent that will facilitate maximum

intellectual, cultural, and commercial exchanges between Africans and African-

Americans.

Additionally, in 2011, Mr. Mayes was invited to become a founding director of

the U.S. office (Chicago, IL) of the Haile Selassie I Memorial Association, Inc. whose

head office is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this endeavor, Mr. Mayes will work to

help restore and preserve the rich cultural legacy of Ethiopia via educational development

programs.

Mr. Mayes is and avid reader of ancient African history and civilization and

contemporary International affairs, enjoys a good debate, is mildly conversant in Spanish

and Portuguese, and enjoys traveling. His favorite trip was his solo trip to Ethiopia and

Egypt in 2003. In his capacity as Director, International Affairs of the Chicago Office of

the Emperor Haile Selassie First Memorial Association, Inc., Mr. Mays will be hosting a

fundraiser in Sacramento California in July 2012 and also assisting with the promotions

of the Memorial Association’s “Travel & Learn Historical Tour” to Ethiopia in October

2012.

Erick Nickerson – Bio Director of International Affairs

Emperor Haile Selassie I Association-USA

Erick Nickerson has extensive experience in community

development; he is assertive and has a high level of business

acumen particularly in relationship building.

From April 1997 – May 2001, Erick served the Municipality

of Dixmoor, Illinois as Mayor and Chief Executive Officer of the

south suburban municipality where he presided over and provided

leadership in council meetings; represent the municipality at official

functions; maintained relationships and requirements with Federal

and State government agencies and participated decision making

issues that had long-term consequences on the municipality and which were directly related to

the by-laws, policies and strategic plans established by Council.

Mayor Nickerson also represented the views of his constituents that were sometimes

highly sensitive or controversial, when dealing with issues that come before Council, established

policies and ensured that such policies were implemented and observed in an objective and

consistent manner. His numerous duties and responsibilities as Mayor included but was not

limited to the delegation and implementation of policy and daily operations to administrative

staff through the City Administrator; he also ensured that funds were spent as authorized, with

the most efficient possible use of the municipality’s human, natural and financial resources.

Mayor Nickerson effectively managed the Village’s land resources through careful land use

planning while satisfying important social, economic and environmental concerns and negotiate

contracts on behalf of the village including labor and service contracts

Before he was elected Mayor, Erick worked for the State of Illinois for twenty-four years

as an executive liaison between the offices of FDIC, HUD, FEMA, and the IRS in the office of

the Illinois State Treasurer, where he insured that underserved communities in Chicago and

throughout the State of Illinois, had access to community programs and events that provided

exposure to State, County and Federal offices to those who otherwise would not have access or

knowledge of the assistance these offices have to offer to the public, and the overall business

community throughout the state.

Erick’s twenty-four years of experience working for the State of Illinois along with his

experience as Mayor of the Village of Dixmoor and as an active member of InfraGuard Chicago

Chapter brings a bevy of experience and a wealth of knowledge to any position, project or

program of which he may be affiliated.

Education:

Graduate, Brother Rice High School, Chicago, Ill

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Arkansas, Liberal Arts Major

Extensive Data and Telecom Specialized Training for proprietary state systems

Associations: InFraGard, Chicago Chapter

Iesha L .Scott – Bio Director, Public Affairs

Emperor Haile Selassie I Association - USA

Iesha is from Chicago, Illinois and was raised by a

middle class family who exposed her to culturally diverse

youth programs at an early age. This created for Ms.

Scott an appreciation and respect for many cultures,

language and customs.

Ms. Scott studied Speech Pathology / Audiology and

Early Child Development at Illinois State University in

Normal, IL. She later became an ESL instructor (English

as a Second Language), employed by Jane Addams Hull

House Association‘s Head Start/Even Start program for the city of Chicago, IL where she

developed an adult literacy curriculum for basic health education, communication skills for daily

living and the work industry as well as computer skills.

Ms. Scott was the coordinator of annual events, field trips and workshops and the director

of the Adult Literacy Theatre; she also conducted home-assessments for her students who were

in the Head Start/Even Start Community out Reach Program and developed and facilitated work

shops that taught parenting skills to over thirty parents from various countries, some from

Ethiopia; she received certificates from the Adult Literacy and Cognitive Development programs

for her assessment techniques and for computerized business systems; she also was awarded a

Certificate of Recognition, by the Chicago Sun Times Newspaper, as “The Educator of the Most

Improved Foreign Student in Chicago, IL under the Jane Addams Hull House Association’s

Adult Literacy English as a Second Language program.

Ms. Scott became an English as a Second Language instructor for Evanston Township

High School, in Evanston, IL (in YEAR) where she conducted writing workshops that enabled

young students to find their voice through writing, short poems, stories about their country, their

journey to America, and their family; she has also worked for the City of Chicago’s Juvenile

Court System as the Literacy Coordinator; where she was responsible for procurement of various

categories of books for children of all ages. Her primary duties were to procure various

categories of books for children of all ages. Assessments were conducted on older youth who

would be considered by Ms. Scott for the Juvenile Volunteer Program. She was also coordinated

activities and workshops for youth where she consulted with the Board of Director’s, City of

Chicago’s Juvenile Court System and reviewed program goals and project planning which

included the program budget which was governed by the State of Illinois.

Ms. Scott continues to teach literacy through music with Voices, a performing arts group

that conducts performances at elementary schools and colleges. Ms. Scott remains an adult ESL

instructor for the Uptown community in one of the most culturally diverse areas in Chicago, IL.

Her past experiences increased her appreciation and respect for many cultures, language,

customs and people. Ms. Scott has traveled to Mexico City visiting the University of Mexico

City and shared the home of a student and their family for a few days. She has developed some

comprehension of the Spanish language and has acquired a love and appreciation of world music

and the arts.

As a student of music, she studied classical piano at Roosevelt University and later became a piano

instructor with the AACM, (The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians).