Zed Wondemu

Entrepreneur · Author · Community Leader · Consultant

Official
Media Kit
Organization

Zed's Consulting Services

Location

Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Book

Slanted Justice — memoir (available on Amazon)

Website

zedsconsulting.com

Biography

Zed Wondemu is the acclaimed author of the powerful memoir Slanted Justice, a candid exploration of her experiences as an Ethiopian immigrant navigating systemic inequities and the American legal system. Through gripping personal stories, she highlights themes of resilience, cultural adjustment, discrimination, and the pursuit of justice.

Zed has served the Washington area in various capacities for over 40 years. She started gift shops and restaurants and used her business to help other people gainfully employed. She not only provides jobs to young people but also devotes her time to mentoring and making young people marketable to the Western workforce. Zed enjoys investing her time, resources, and energy in people (investment in humans versus investment in capital).

Born in Ethiopia, Owner/President Zed Wondemu has combined her remarkable drive with a desire to promote/educate the love of her culture (Ethiopian culture) through sharing good food and hospitality. She has become one of DC's most successful foreign-born women restaurateurs. Zed is the "Board Emeriti" of many local organizations, including the National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Association of Metro Washington, and National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Trustee, to mention a few.

Zed's Ethiopian Restaurant opened in Georgetown in 1988. As owner, president, and manager, Zed presided over a restaurant that had become an area favorite, winning critical acclaim from the Washingtonian as "one of Washington's 100 Very Best Restaurants" several years running. The food and atmosphere were so popular that Zed added a second location in Gainesville, Virginia, opening in January 2009.

Zed Wondemu is more cheerful when she helps others; she enjoys philanthropy the most. She has a special heart and mind for observing women succeed in education, politics, and employment. She has been involved in non-profit organizations (EDG) that provide micro-loans to low- to medium-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.

Currently, she is extending her expertise to those who seek her help improving their businesses or organizations through her consulting service, Zed's Consulting Services.

Awards & Recognition

Thomas Carvel Immigrant Entrepreneur Award

Recipient — in recognition of outstanding entrepreneurial achievement as an immigrant business leader

Media Appearances

Education

M.S. Business Management
University of Maryland — University College
M.A. Education
Bowie State University
B.S. Psychology and Social Work
Bowie State University