Mieraf Gebresellasie

Mieraf Gebresellasie, a beacon of inspiration whose life journey spanned continents and cultures, passed away on April 9th 2024 in Busan, South Korea. Born on the eve of the Ethiopian New Year, September 10th, 1987 in Tenedba, Sudan. Mieraf arrived to Seattle, Washington when she was 6 years old with her mother Shiwanesh, aunt Medhin, and siblings Kahsay, Mizan, Mieraf, and Michael. She graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle in 2005, earned her Associate's Degree from North Seattle Community College in 2019, and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Film at the Seattle Film Institute in 2023. Mieraf flourished navigating dual identities, as her rich Ethiopian roots and her nurturing American environment melded to form a woman of profound grace and intricacy.

In the summer of 2009, Mieraf moved to Los Angeles where she discovered a passion for acting and modeling. However, she soon found that her true calling was storytelling. After a period working as a flight attendant, which allowed her to travel the world and gain unique perspectives, she returned to Seattle, driven by a growing interest in pursuing other endeavors.

A key moment in her career came with her involvement in the film "Hageraseb,". This project held a special significance for Mieraf, highlighting her own life experiences and reigniting her connection to her cultural heritage. In the film she was instrumental in casting, translation, and art production. She cherished the opportunity to recreate scenes reminiscent of her childhood in Yesler Terrace before its demolishment and redevelopment. Her collaboration with Director Zia on "Hageraseb" was so impactful that she teamed up with him again for "Know Your Place," which premiered in 2022. In this film she served as both a casting director and producer which allowed her to further elevate her stature in the film industry.

From June 2015 to June 2018, Mieraf worked as a storyteller for CURE Ethiopia Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this role, she captured the daily life and special moments at the hospital through a variety of media, including blogs, photo essays, videos, and social media posts. Mieraf also focused on documenting the personal journeys of children undergoing treatment at CURE Ethiopia, giving a voice to their experiences, and highlighting the transformative care they received. Additionally, she supported the hospital's marketing and donor engagement efforts by creating content that connected donors with the impact of their contributions. As a liaison between the donor program, the hospital, and both local and international volunteers, Mieraf facilitated communication and collaboration.

Her continued passion for exploration led her to South Korea, were she was eager to dive into the Asian culture. She taught ESL to a diverse group of students ranging from elementary to high school age. She conducted one-on-one tutoring sessions, tailoring her teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student and enhancing their learning experience.

In her commitment to staying in the program, Mieraf returned to Seattle to complete her Bachelor's Degree where she still remained dedicated to her education, artistic pursuits, and community involvement. During this period, she welcomed her cherished companion, Kopa, into her life, forging an unbreakable bond. In January of 2024, Mieraf embraced her adventurous spirit once again, returning to South Korea where she thrived in her element, immersing herself in new experiences, from hiking to cultural exploration, and continuing her impactful work with youth.

Mieraf's journey was a captivating mix of creativity, passion, and strong dedication to the diverse communities she embraced as her own. Recognized for her deep love for children, she acted as a caring figure not only to her family members but also to many others in her community. Over the years, she nurtured and guided countless young people, leaving a lasting impact on their lives with her endless kindness and wisdom. Her story, woven from the lives she touched, will continue to inspire and resonate with future generations as a timeless source of hope and encouragement.

She is survived by her beloved dog Kopa, who was her baby, her mother Shiwanesh Hadgu, and her siblings Hana Misigina, Kahsay Gebresellasie, Mizan Howard, and Michael Abraha. Together with her extended global family, we mourn her loss while celebrating the incredible depth of her life's work.

Rest in Heaven our Forever Angel