Acknowledgements

All participants: I had a vision, but each conversation added overwhelming depth. Your stories give this project its power — the nuances, jokes, grief, and heart that can't be expressed in words or visuals alone. Thank you for your collaboration and belief in this work.

Family: For teaching, loving, and growing with me. It's through these intimate relationships that I am most stretched to sit in the nuances of conversations — and I'm blessed to have people who make it safe to do so.

Friends + NYC Community: From volunteers helping with audio edits to inspiring conversations on tough days, this project made it clear I have an abundance of love and support.

Abel Habtezion: Thank you for the constant support, knowledge and bad memes — and for helping me bring the in-person HABESHA exhibit to life. I couldn’t have executed it without you.

Milena Mikael-Debass: Thank you for always providing guidance, encouragement and affirmation. Your commitment to your storytelling practice continues to inspire me.

Dr. Amanuel Isaak Tewolde: When researching “Habesha” in 2021, your work was the only research I found focused exclusively on the word and it beautifully captured the nuances of the questions I was initially asking. Thank you for your time and insight.

Buunni Coffee: Thank you for gifting your beautiful yellow totes and coffee samplers for the project participants. I am so appreciative of the support and grateful I finally made the hike up to the Inwood café while working on this project.

Makina Café: Thank you for catering the cultural bites in NYC and supporting this project. I love that my solo debut exhibit was catered by a woman-owned Eritrean business.

Henna Get a What What: I'm grateful our paths crossed at Africa Center. I appreciate your constant support and am so happy in-person attendees could experience your art.

Oasis Jimma Juice: Special shoutout to participant Abdi's business — love supporting our community entrepreneurs.

Eritreans and Ethiopians: These conversations are uncomfortable, sometimes provoking deep trauma. But cold water doesn't get less cold before you jump in. Change is needed, and each of us has the power to drive it.