Menbere Aklilu delivered the commencement address to graduates of Holy Names University #EthiopiansInCalifornia

An immigrant from Ethiopia who once was homeless, Aklilu started at Salute as a hostess before working her way up to maitre d’ and eventually owner. She has fed many hundreds of people for free at her annual Thanksgiving dinner for homeless and other economically disadvantaged people, a tradition she launched in 2011.

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/12/16/richmond-salute-restaurant-owner-to-get-sports-hall-of-fame-honor/