Ethiopian Entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun, founder and Chief Executive of Sole Rebels footwear was selected by The 
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship for the Social Entrepreneur of The Year Award at the 2012 World Economic Forum on Africa. The World Economic Forum is taking place in Addis Ababa from the 9th of May to the 11th.
The panel for the award included Quincy Jones, American music icon and Muhammad Yunus Nobel Prize Laureate and father of microfinance amongst other international luminaries.
Bethlehem is the first Ethiopian to win the award.
Economic and social progress can only be achieved through entrepreneurship and Bethlehem personifies the vision and values of the international social entrepreneur ideal said Klaus Schwab Chairman and Co-founder of the Schwab Foundation.The foundation is proud to acknowledge her exemplary work in founding an innovative, sustainable and ethical business which is making a significant social impact he noted.
“I am truly honored that the Schwab Foundation Board has chosen to recognize me in this manner. I proudly share this recognition with every single one of the talented, industrious, committed and cultured people who everyday work alongside me to make soleRebels what it is - the coolest artisan driven footwear company on the planet .” said Bethlehem.
It is to be remembered that Bethlehem was named one of Africa’s most successful women by Forbes magazine. Sole Rebels won 50,000 US dollars as one of the finalists at the Africa Award for Entrepreneurship while Bethlehem was also named a New York City Venture Fellow in recognition of her achievements as an international entrepreneur by the Mayor of New York City.
Source: Press Release
