Ethiopique LLC

Impact Report 2024

Our Voice, Our
Community.

I'm proud to share Ethiopique's 2024 Annual Report,
highlighting our service to the DMV's Ethiopian and Eritrean
communities. We deepened civic engagement, delivered
vital news to over 100,000 residents, and benefited greatly
from reader contributions.

We are deeply grateful to our readers for their trust and
engagement, to our advertisers for their essential support,
and to everyone who shared their time and expertise
through interviews and webinars—your contributions were
invaluable. We also extend thanks to the Tiny News
Collective, LION Publishers, and Press Forward for their
crucial partnership. Looking ahead, we're focused on
innovation, sustainability, and exploring a community-owned
model. Thank you for your support in building a more
informed community.


Sincerely,

Message from the Founder

Founder, Ethiopique LLC

Henok Mengistu

Ethiopique serves as a vital connection for the over 100,000 Ethiopians and
Eritreans in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. As the
only Amharic-language newsroom focusing on local issues, we provide
culturally relevant news that informs, empowers, and strengthens our
community. Guided by a mission to empower, inform, and connect the
Amharic-speaking community by providing trusted content that resonates
and represents, we aim to equip our audience with the knowledge they
need to navigate daily life and actively participate in civic society. Through
our work, we strive to foster a shared sense of belonging and build a more
engaged, informed, and cohesive community.


Introduction

This year, Ethiopique has
been at the heart of it all,
keeping our community
informed, engaged, and
safe. Here are some
highlights of the impact
we've made:

2024: A Year of
Impact and
Connection

  • Empowering Civic Participation

This election season, we brought the candidates to you. We conducted in-depth
interviews with key figures like Maryland Senate hopefuls Angela Alsobrooks and
Larry Hogan, and candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education. By
presenting these interviews in Amharic, we ensured every member of our
community could make informed decisions at the ballot box.

From the vibrant celebration of Ethiopian Day in Silver Spring
to covering critical community-led protests, Ethiopique was
there, capturing the heart and soul of our community. We
forged powerful partnerships with fellow local newsrooms like
Moderately MoCo and The 51st, working together to tell the
stories that matter most. And for the third consecutive year,
we were proud to be a part of the vibrant Montgomery
County Thanksgiving Parade, ensuring representation and
visibility for the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities.

  • Celebrating Our Community, Amplifying Our Voices:

2024: A Year of
Impact and
Connection

Tornado touched
down in
Montgomery
county.

June 6, 2024

  • A Beacon in Times of Need

When severe weather struck or water boil alerts were issued, Ethiopique delivered
real-time updates, keeping our community informed and safe. We're more than just
news; we're a trusted source our community relies on when it counts.

2024: A Year of
Impact and
Connection

Community
Engagement &
Building a Strong
Future

Our audience isn't just reading the news; they're actively participating! With over
41,000 website views, 150,000 social media reach and a stellar 5-star rating, it's
clear that Ethiopique has earned the trust of our community. An astounding 96% of
our readers express high confidence in our reporting, a testament to our
commitment to accuracy and integrity. In a powerful demonstration of community
collaboration, our readers contributed over 75 articles and story tips in 2024!
These contributions, ranging from fully curated articles to invaluable leads, have
enriched our coverage and ensured that the stories most important to our
community are being told.

A Community That Trusts
and Engages: Powered
by Community
Contributions!

+43,000

Total website views, with over 29k unique visitors

+150,000

Total social media reach across platforms

96%

Readers stated that our content is trustworthy.

+75

Articles and/or story tips
contributed from our readers.

Key Numbers

We're not just reporting the news; we're building a stronger future for community
journalism. This year, we joined forces with the Tiny News Collective and LION
Publishers, tapping into invaluable resources and a network of dedicated
journalists. Our partnership with the Associated Press gave us access to critical
assets, enhancing our election and local news coverage. And we're proud to have
contributed to a University of Maryland study on local news systems, helping to
shape a more sustainable future for community media. Additionally, Ethiopique has
been recognized in key databases such as CUNY's Black Media Initiative and
WorkSource Montgomery's Business Directory, further validating its role as a vital
community resource.

Building a
Stronger Future

We are committed to building a sustainable financial model for Ethiopique. This
year, we made significant strides by increasing our annual revenue by over 480%
through diversified income streams. This impressive growth demonstrates our
ability to effectively manage resources and build a strong foundation for long-term
success. Crucially, we secured funding through grants, including the prestigious
Press Forward grant
, to support operations and expansion.

Financial
Sustainability
& Looking
Ahead

The future is bright, and
we're excited to continue
serving our community with
even greater impact. In the
coming years, we plan to:

Looking
Ahead: A
Vision for an
Even Stronger
Ethiopique

Innovate and Inspire

Explore new and creative ways to tell
stories, using innovative reporting
techniques to connect with our audience
on a deeper level.

Forge Stronger Partnerships

Continue to build bridges with local
organizations and newsrooms,
expanding our reach and impact.

Deepen Engagement

Host live forums, webinars, and other
engaging events to connect with the
audience directly and foster a more
vibrant community dialogue.

Explore Community Ownership

Investigate the possibility of transitioning
Ethiopique into a community-owned
cooperative, ensuring its long-term
sustainability and giving our community
an even greater stake in its future.

Contact Information

700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
2nd Floor,

Washington DC, 20003

Telephone: (202)-361-6295

admin@ethiopique.com

Our readers say ...