HEIDI DUCKLER DANCE THEATRE

CROSS CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS PANELIST- NIKKI LEGESSE, Executive Director, Little Ethiopia Cultural and Resource Center  

Negest (Nikki) Legesse is co-chairperson of Ethiopia Creates. Nikki was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After graduating from high school Nikki moved to Buffalo, New York, where she completed her Bachelor Degree from Canisius College. She then moved to sunny Los Angeles to complete law school and discovered her passion for helping others realize their dreams. Ever since, she has helped countless people acquire small businesses and has offered her knowledge and experience to ensure their success.

In 2003 she founded the Ethiopian American Chamber of Commerce serving over 100 businesses, helped organize the Little Ethiopia Business Association and created the International Unity Parade. Nikki was the president and is currently a board member of Ethiopian American Youth Development, an organization dedicated to the development of Ethiopian Youth in Los Angeles as well as in Ethiopia. This organization also works with several orphanages in Ethiopia where children have lost their parents to the AIDs epidemic. 

Nikki continuous her work as an Ambassador of the Ethiopian community promoting its culture, history and language. She recently opened the Little Ethiopia Cultural and Resource Center which provides services for seniors, children and youth. 

Nikki is excited to help bring Ethiopia Creates to the artists, writers and filmmakers of Ethiopia!