Meklit Hadero is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, and composer celebrated for her electrifying stage presence, innovative sound, and deep cultural storytelling. Her latest album, A Piece of Infinity (Smithsonian Folkways, Sept 26), has earned acclaim from Bandcamp, The Guardian, AfroPop Worldwide, and NPR, reimagining Ethiopian folk traditions through jazz-inflected, genre-blending compositions that honor the vast complexity of Ethiopian culture. Her 2024 EP Ethio Blue was produced by GRAMMY-winning songwriter Dan Wilson, adding to a discography that has topped world music charts and appeared on major global stages and media outlets.
Beyond music, Meklit is a leading cultural strategist and thought leader. She is a National Geographic Explorer, TED Senior Fellow, former Chief of Program at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and has held artist residencies at Harvard and Stanford. She is the co-founder of the Nile Project and Movement, a podcast and performance platform uplifting immigrant musicians, as well as the Movement Immigrant Orchestra—an ambitious collaboration celebrating cross-cultural sound, community resilience, and creative exchange.
**Supported in part by 4Culture

