Italys blatant act of aggression against Ethiopia in October 1935 opened the eyes of all black people in the West.

Ethiopia was regarded as Africa’s only independent black nation and its destruction would symbolize the final victory of the white man over the black man.

Black Americans organized dozens of groups designed to raise both moral and material assistance for the Ethiopian Government. Black people in the United states were motivated largely by their racial identification with the Ethiopians and the longstanding symbolic importance of that country in the Black American community.

Although the majority of the black community sympathized with the plight of Ethiopia, there were those who sought to use the situation to their own benefit. From the very outbreak of hostilities black embezzlers and racketeers sought to take advantage of the American sympathy for the Ethiopian people.

These criminals gave the public impression that they were collecting funds for Ethiopia’s defence, but in reality they were lining their own pockets. In addition, some responsible organizations and individuals may have engaged in faulty business practices or even mismanaged funds.

To remedy this situation and more effectively to co-ordinate the efforts of the organisations in New York, a number of public- spirited black citizens in Harlem formed the ‘ Menelik Club’ some time during 1936. This very small but active group desired to integrate all the existing Ethiopian Aid Societies into one organization officially recognized by the Ethiopian authorities.

The Communist Party later infiltrated the Menelik Club, but the efforts of the Club culminated in the sending of a black American delegation to England in the summer of 1936 to confer directly with H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I. The mission consisted of three prominent Harlem figures, all leaders of the black organization known as the ‘United Aid for Ethiopia.’
Rev William Lloyd Imes, Pastor of the prestigious St James Presbyterian Church; Phillip M Savory, Chairman of Victory Insurance Company and co-owner of the New York Amsterdam news, and Mr. Cyril M Phillip, Secretary of the United Aid were the delegates who went to Bath to entreaty Emperor Haile Selassie I.

H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I cordially received the delegation at his residence in Bath. During the audience, the delegation informed H.I.M that large sums of money had been, and were still being, raised in the United States by unauthorized persons in the name of Ethiopia.

They stressed the necessity of sending a special emissary to America to direct the collection of all contributions and to help awaken flagging Afro-American support for the Ethiopian cause.

Impressed, Emperor Haile Selassie I decided to dispatch an envoy to the United States. He selected his personal physician and nephew Dr Malaku Emanuel Bayen, who established along with others and with the blessing of, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, the Constitution of the Ethiopian World Federation Incorporated on the 25th day of August 1937.

Dr Malaku Emanuel Bayen

In early 1981, a meeting was convened at Brixton Town Hall under the stewardship of Pepe Judah (Ras Melenik): and other London based bredrin. The aim was to identify the correct structure for the unification of Black people and the Rastafari Movement. After a number of further meetings and the presentation of the constitution of the Ethiopian World Federation Inc by Ras Pinto Foxe past president of Local 33 Ladbroke Grove. Our local was established in Birmingham September 1981 along with branches in Kennington, Tottenham and Harlesdon, London.

The local in Birmingham established it’s first headquarters in Muntz St, Community Centre, Small Heath. Membership rapidly grew to 200+. Unlike other locals, the Birmingham local membership was of a very young age ranging from 14-26; of which 79% were under the age of 21. The members were young when they joined the EWF in the 1980's and have since academically developed as professional Teachers, Nurses. Lectures, Nursery Nurses, Mentors, Caterers and Designers as well as many other skills. Prior to joining, many either had rebelled against mainstream education or had found themselves forced out of parental homes, during school age. Nevertheless,
through rigorous adherence to its constitutional framework; members developed excellent parliamentary procedure, as well as skills in communication, report and minutes writing, also other secretarial and organisational skills, including the chairing of meetings.

Members have travelled extensively making contacts with all continents, meeting and negotiating with representatives of various organizational and governmental bodies. Many members have, during this period excelled in educational and professional development. This document has been designed to celebrate all the activities and work of the local over 30years. We expect many non-members and other locals will identify with its contents.