Lij Nebyat A Demessie
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ethiopian-American community leader His Excellency Aklilu Demessie has been awarded the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores, one of the State of Ohio’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his decades of distinguished leadership, philanthropy, and public service.
Governor Mike DeWine conferred the honor in May 2026, adding to a lifetime of recognition for Demessie’s contributions to both the Ethiopian diaspora and the broader Ohio community.
The Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores was established in 1966 by former Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes and is named in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the naval hero of the Battle of Lake Erie. Membership recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have made significant contributions to economic development, civic engagement, and the well-being of communities throughout Ohio.
The latest recognition follows another prestigious honor bestowed upon Demessie in 2020, when His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, invested him as a Knight Grand Cross of the Solomonic Imperial Orders and Investitures—the highest rank within the historic order—in recognition of his lifetime commitment to community service.
Demessie’s record of civic engagement spans more than three decades. He is a founding member and longtime Chair of the Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora (SEED), where he has served for more than 32 years. He also serves as Vice President and Board Member of the Menelik Hall Foundation in Cleveland and as an Executive Officer of the Federation of Cultural Gardens.
Among his most enduring accomplishments is his leadership in establishing the first Ethiopian and African Cultural Garden in Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park, creating a lasting cultural landmark that celebrates Ethiopia’s heritage and strengthens cross-cultural understanding.
As President of the Ethiopian-Cleveland Connection, Demessie spearheaded humanitarian initiatives that provided medical supplies, equipment, books, and 40 computers to Menelik II Secondary School and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He also played a leading role in establishing the Sister Cities partnership between Cleveland and Bahir Dar through his work with the International Community Council (ICC).
His commitment to education extends beyond organizational initiatives. Demessie personally finances the education of more than 25 students in Ethiopia, with a particular emphasis on supporting female students and students with visual impairments. He is also a founding member of St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Cleveland.
His humanitarian leadership dates back to the devastating Ethiopian famine of the early 1980s. While working as a young aerospace engineer, Demessie mobilized members of Cleveland’s Ethiopian community alongside leaders from Black churches across the city to organize famine relief efforts. Together, they raised more than $300,000, which was donated to the Government of Ethiopia to assist those affected by the crisis.
In addition to receiving the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores, Demessie was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in May 2026, recognizing his enduring impact on international understanding, civic leadership, and community service.
The honors reflect a lifetime dedicated to strengthening communities through philanthropy, cultural preservation, education, and public service. For many within Ohio and the Ethiopian diaspora, Aklilu Demessie’s legacy stands as a testament to the lasting impact of servant leadership and unwavering commitment to others.
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Proud of you, sir. God bless you.