Tewodros "Teddy" Fekadu's memoir "No One's Son" is his remarkable true story of an African boy who survives - and succeeds. It is his defiant nature and his quest for freedom, which continues to drive him on to inspire the lives of others.
Fekadu will be reading at the Book Nook on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.. He an inspiring speaker and educator; Fekadu engages audiences wherever he goes. He will also be making appearances throughout Chautauqua County this week:
Wednesday at the Ahira Hall Memorial Library; Brocton; evening, time TBD
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Teddy Fekadu penned the inspiring “No One’s Son.”
Thursday at noon, 21 East Bookstore & Cafe, Dunkirk
Thursday at 6 p.m., Prendergast Library, Jamestown
Fekadu's is a successful immigration story. Born into a life of poverty in the midst of the Ethiopian-Eritrean Civil War, Fekadu persevered through the myriad challenges that were thrown his way. In 2003, after spending three years in Japanese detention, Fekadu won an immigration battle and his visa to Australia was approved. While in detention, he started compiling his memories into notes that were smuggled out of the visitor's room; these notes became the basis for "No One's Son."
He now resides on the Gold Coast, where he founded a company that shares African traditions through performance, educational programs, and films. He travels widely in Australia, Europe and the U.S. to speak to such diverse audiences as East African immigrants, human rights groups, and adoptive families. His story and his outlook are truly an inspiration and he is dedicated to helping East African immigrants, especially refugees, come to the U.S. safely and smoothly.
He strives to empower immigrants with the skills necessary to succeed through education and mentoring. He is also driven to relate that there is more to Africa than "war, drought, famine, drums and some wild animals. It is a beautiful country, the richness in culture and the arts or the historic places. Africa is incredibly rich in so many ways and has a lot to offer the world."
Fekadu's presentation will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
