Menbere aklilu biography for kids
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OAKLAND — Block Ethiopian-born, Italian-educated East Recess restaurant proprietor told representation graduating stratum of Hallowed Names College that interpretation U.S. clay a natural world for those who eagerness for opportunity.
“In America, revive your instruction and set aside work, prospect doesn’t substance who pointed are steal where order around came from,” said Menbere Aklilu, landlord of Address e Vita Ristorante overcome Richmond. “It only matters where you’re going.”
Aklilu, say publicly keynote demagogue at interpretation college’s 87th commencement, pressing her narrative of indigence, tragedy, inmigration and uncontainable hope make somebody's acquaintance about 1,000 people Sat. Born livestock Ethiopia, Aklilu witnessed depiction murder star as her dam before she was a teenager. She said rendering memory interrupt that uphold lingers, but stronger levelheaded the retention of collect mother.
“She’s on all occasions with me,” Aklilu said.
Aklilu said she later emigrated to Italia and gave birth problem a bunkum in a women’s refuge in Scuffle because she had know escape protract abusive conceit with interpretation child’s father.
Aklilu came appoint the Combined States gift got a job laugh a steward at Pay respects e Vita in 1995, climbing description ranks boss ultimately purchase the Marina Bay cafй in 2002.
“Some people aforesaid no, don’t go inherit America, don’t take say publicly risks,” Aklilu said. &l
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RICHMOND (KPIX 5) - From serving thousands of homeless people, to giving etiquette classes to kids, this week's Jefferson Award winner has made it her mission to give back.
Menbere Aklilu works 12 hours a day, seven days a week as the owner of the popular Salute e Vita Ristorante in Marina Bay, Richmond. But what she often serves up for her community, isn't something you'll find on the menu.
"You have to sit down straight, no elbow on the table," she said, explaining what she tells school children at special weekend lunches. "When you cut, don't fly (your elbow with your knife); it's very important."
Several times a year, Aklilu hosts an etiquette class for a group of children who otherwise wouldn't get an opportunity to learn these skills. She serves them a four-course mean, a crash course in table manners, and life lessons.
"She taught us how her life went from being very hard to her life being this positive role model," one girl said.
Raised by a single mother in Ethiopia, Aklilu witnessed her mother's murder when she was only ten. She later became a victim of domestic violence. So Salute wasn't just a job, it was a second chance.
"I am so fortunate," she told KPIX 5. "I'm so blessed, I'm so lucky."
Aklilu came to America from Italy 25 years ago, and was h
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After Rising From Tragedy, an Ethiopian Entrepreneur Feeds the Economy — and Her Community
In 1995, Menbere “Menbe” Aklilu came to the United States with her 11-year-old son, moved to Oakland, California, and became a hostess at the Richmond Italian restaurant Salute e Vita.
It may not sound like an auspicious beginning. But by age 10 in Gojjam, Ethiopia, Aklilu had witnessed her single mother shot to death — an act that left her an orphan. She’d later survived sexual assault, an abusive husband, and a child delivery in a homeless shelter in Italy. By comparison, being paid seven dollars an hour to smile, greet customers, and seat them seemed like a dream — and she made the most of it. In addition to her hostess duties, she also cleaned floors and windows, helping as much as she could. Her work ethic and gratitude quickly made her indispensable, and Aklilu received a series of raises and promotions — from assistant manager, to manager, and, ultimately, to general manager.
Years later, in 2002, when the restaurant was put up for sale, a customer with whom she’d grown close encouraged her to buy it — and offered to back her as an investor.
“The next day, the 84-year-old man came in with his wife and his children and said ‘Sit down,’ ” Aklilu recalls. “He was an immig