Sentayehu Silassie

Sentayehu Silassie is a founder and organizing committee member of the Los Angeles Taxi Workers Alliance (LATWA). In his native Ethiopia, Mr. Silassie attended police college and rose to lieutenant. However, when he opposed the dictatorship that oppressed his country and its people, he was forced to flee to Sudan as a refugee. He came to the U.S. at the age of 27. Mr. Silassie lived in Huntsville, Alabama and then Memphis, Tennessee, where he studied accounting at Memphis State University. In the South, Mr. Silassie learned first-hand about the power and pain of racism, but it also reaffirmed for him the importance of respecting and appreciating people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Silassie moved to Los Angeles, graduating from Cal State L.A. in 1988 with a degree in business. He began driving a cab as a lease driver and bought his own cab in 1992. Today, he is a recognized leader and voice for justice among drivers. His advocacy for unity among drivers and accountability by government is transforming the taxi industry. Mr. Silassie has a 10-year-old daughter, and his own practice preparing taxes for clients. He dreams that Ethiopia will one day be democratic and peaceful.