He arrived in Canada with 2 worthless Kenyan Shillings, an equivalence of 26 Cents Canadian. Today, Shimelis Telila owns a Gas Station, a Convenience Store, and multiple buildings. Telila was one of a dozen of award recipient of the National Black Coalition (NBCC), Edmonton Chapter, 2018 Black History Month Banquet and Awards of Excellence which took place on March 10, 2018, at Chateau Louis Convention Centre. In an evening of glamour, splendor, achievement, and excitement, Telila had this to share, “…When I came here, I had 2 Kenyan Shillings with a bible. I started with janitorial work at $4.5/hour. I didn’t give up…”.
The owner of the largest Afro-Caribbean Grocery Store in Alberta called Kasoa Tropical Food Market, Charity Durowaa, received an award for her exceptional services to the community. The first Edmonton Police Service Inspector of African descent, Inspector Joel Whittaker, got the other award for long exceptional services to the community.
Joseph Luri and Jibril Ibrahim got awards for the programs they offer to the community through their respective organizations; Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, and Somali Canadian Cultural Society of Edmonton.
McNeil Iyani Keri got one of the youth awards for his great contribution to science with his work at the University of Alberta pending a patent. Chantal Londji Dang picked up an award for her work in community media.
