“A record shop blares the contagious thump-thump of Ethiopian music. The aroma of strong coffee fills the air. And thick spices tickle your nose virtually every half a block. This is 9th and U Street in Washington, D.C. — the unofficially designated “Little Ethiopia”. Africans have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s clear here in the 25 shops and restaurants huddled together in one city block.
“You see within the Ethiopian community when you have someone start a business, that person becomes a role model for others,” explains Tsehaye Teferra, President of the Ethiopian Community Development Council. “So you are absolutely sure that you get three, four businesses the next day in the same location.”
It’s a phenomenon that began in the 1970s in Washington’s Adams Morgan neighborhood on 18th Street. But when the area became trendy, rent skyrocketed and the Ethiopians moved to less expensive ground.”
~Photo description: Etete restaurant
~Photo credit: Newsdire.com
