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Message from the Executive Director
 Fall is here and we're off to a great start this season! As DAWN concludes our Fall Membership Drive this month and prepares for our upcoming events, it's been so encouraging to meet new faces, friends and organizational partners! The positive energy and constant support from everyone is tremendous and we continue to grow because of you! I'm looking forward to what we've got lined up for you these next few weeks.
Tomorrow night, DAWN is proud to present the "Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills" workshop with our special guest, DAWN MOM Valerie Dickson-Horton, who will share her thoughts on how to get ahead with a stellar job interview. We'll also have a lively interactive session and mock interviews for you to practice your presentation and interview skills!
Finally, DAWN will close out October with a special event, "Careers in International Organizations". DAWNers and specialists from the United Nations, World Bank, USAID and more will share tips on how to prepare and break into a career focused on African affairs in these various agencies. You won't want to miss these two special events! Make sure to tell your friends, colleagues, and anyone else who might be interested!
Semhar Araia
Executive Director and Founder of DAWN |
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Here's to a Successful Drive!
Fall Membership Complete
 | | DAWNers (left to right) Shani Cooke, Bridget Mburu and Wintta Woldemariam |
Thank you to everyone who applied during DAWN's Fall 2010 Membership Drive and to those who encouraged others to do so. We are happy to report that it was a resounding success! It is so gratifying and uplifting for our organization when we see other Diasporan women not only sharing in our vision but also willing to join us as we make our mission a reality. With each successive drive, we continue to increase our ranks and evolve. As DAWN grows, we are doubly committed to providing even better programming that continues to meet our Members' needs.
For the remainder of 2010, we look forward to putting on such events as career panels, Meet Our Mentors (MOMs) nights and holiday food and toy drives. Again thank you for your enduring support and here's to DAWN's continued growth!
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Sharpen Your Interview Skills with DAWN!
Professional Development with DAWN MOMs & DAWNers!
 DAWN is pleased to invite you to the our Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills Workshop tomorrow, Tuesday, October 19, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The workshop will take place at The Washington Center and is open to the general public as well as DAWNers, DAWNistas and TWC students.
The workshop will focus on helping you strengthen your interview skills and prepare for that dream job! With featured guest speaker DAWN MOM Valerie Dickson-Horton and featured DAWNers, this interactive session will include mock interviews, a Q & A session, all to cover the basics to interviewing!
Make sure to register online and bring your resume with you! If you have any questions, please contact mentorship@dawners.org.
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DAWNer of the Month
Bisila Bokoko
Bisila Bokoko is the Executive Director of The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce where she provides day-to-day operational leadership, including supervision of staff across four departments: Foreign Trade, Publications, Events, and Professional Exchange Program. Bisila travels internationally to visit with foreign government and business leaders to discuss ways to enhance trade and promote Spain exports. Prior to joining the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, Bisila had a six-year tenure with IVEX NYC, a Spanish agency dedicated to developing trade and investment opportunities between the Spanish region of Valencia and the United States.
Always reminded by the obstacles she faced as one of only a handful of African families living in Spain and by the joy and power of reading that kept her focused on her goals, Bisila founded the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project, a foundation focused on leveraging resources from all over the world and providing books and resources to children and families in Africa.
Bisila received her Masters in International Relations from the City College of New York, her Masters in Business Administration and a Degree in Law (J.D. Equivalent) from the Universidad CEU of San Pablo. She is on the board of directors of the Global Information Network, Macdella Coopers Foundation, Advisory Board of the African Fashion Week, Africa Development Institute, Black National of MBA's, and the National Association of Female Executives. Congratulations Bisila! We are proud to have you as a DAWNer!!!
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DAWNista of the Month
Elita "Lily" Habtu
Elilta "Lily" Habtu is a DAWNista who recently graduated from Virginia Tech university in 2007 with a B.S. in Psychology. Born in Khartoum, Sudan and raised in Arlington VA, Lily is an active DAWN member who is constantly seeking ways to grow, lend her voice and use her skills to help those most in need, in the United States as well as in Africa.
After being injured in the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, Elilta jumped right back into life and began organizing for safer gun laws and safer schools. Along with fellow victims of the VT tragedy, Elilta became an advocate and co-founded Students for Gun-Free Schools, a grassroots movement for public safety in universities. She is one of twelve board directors selected by former Virginia Governor Kaine for a two-year appointment of the VTV Family Outreach Foundation and is honored to serve as Patron of their Membership Committee. Lily is a proud Eritrean-American who has lived in Arlington, VA nearly all her life. Congratulations Lily! We are so proud you are a DAWNista!
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African News
South African company aids Chilean rescue
The world has been captivated by the rescue of 33 miners trapped 688 metres underground in the San Jose mine near Copiapo in northern Chile. A breakthrough saw a rescue shaft finally reaching the miners, enabling workers to start bringing them to the surface one by one. This rescue was made possible by the efforts of South African construction and engineering company Murray & Roberts through its Cementation division, Cementation's Chilean partner Terraservice, and others. Read More
Ten things you can learn from a Nigerian
It goes without saying: Nigerians are plentiful. In fact, one in five Africans is Nigerian and they certainly represent throughout the Diaspora. Much of the time, however, the over 150 million Nigerians in the world are unfairly associated with 419 email scams. More often than not, Nigerians are contributing to the international business and cultural landscape in a major and legitimate way. Read More
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October 19
What: Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills Workshop
Time: 630PM - 8PM EST
Where The Washington Center, 1005 3rd St. NE, Washington DC
About this event: Sharpen your interview skills with DAWN at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Register online at http://dawnevents.eventbrite.com!
October 20
What: Shea Yeleen Benefit Honoring Shea Producer Eugenia AkueteTime: 6PM - 8PM EST
Where Studio Gallery, 2108 R St. NW, Washington DCAbout this event: Shea Yeleen's mission is to promote sustainable economic development and empower women in rural West Africa though the organization and training of women-owned shea butter cooperatives. Register online at http://syi-oct-dc.eventbrite.com/October 25
What: DAWN Monthly Dinner
Time: 7PM EST
N.B. This is an exclusive DAWN event. You must be a registered DAWNer to attend. If you would like to take part to this or other exclusive monthly events, click hereOctober 27
What: DAWN Career Panel, Careers in International OrganizationsTime: 6PM - 8PM EST Where The Washington Center, 1005 3rd St. NE, Washington DCAbout this event: Join DAWN for its second career panel at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.
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DAWN's Monthly Inspiration
""The real tragedy of our postcolonial world is not that the majority of people had no say in whether or not they wanted this new world; rather, it is that the majority have not been given the tools to negotiate this new world. "
-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian Author
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DAWN
September Birthdays
8- Carolou Goodridge
20 - Judith Howerton
25 - Sophia Nur
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