In Memory of
Abraham (Abiyi) Ford
March 5, 1935 to May 9, 2018
The Israelite Community mourns the death of Professor Abraham (Abiyi) Ford. He was the son of one of the founders of our community, Rabbi Arnold Josiah Ford. Rabbi Ford was a colleague of the Honorable Marcus Garvey and a leader in the University Negro Improvement Association in the 1920s. Rabbi Ford moved to Ethiopia in 1930 where he performed at the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie and established contact with the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews). In 1931, Rabbi Ford ordained Chief Rabbi W.A. Matthew, who continued the Israelite movement from Harlem, New York. In 1935 Abraham Ford was born in Addis Ababa. He graduated from the Columbia University School of Journalism and went on to become one of the founders of the Department of Radio Television and Film in the School of Communications at Howard University. Professor Ford was a Fulbright Scholar and a brilliant composer, pianist, and drummer. After retiring from Howard University in 2006, Professor Ford returned to Ethiopia where he established the Mignon Ford Foundation to preserve the legacy of his distinguished parents.
Professor Ford was a dear friend to many in the Israelite community— notably Rabbi Hailu Paris, Rabbi Sholomo Levy, and Monica Wiggin. In fact, Professor Ford recorded this video recording of his father’s hymn The Universal Ethiopian Anthem from his studio in Ethiopia. Following his death on May 9, 2018, a memorial service took place at the Howard University School of Law Dunbarton Chapel. The Board of Trustees issued a proclamation and resolution in his memory. Dignitaries included H.E. Reta Alemu, Minister of Embassy of Ethiopia, USA. Karl Philpotts, President of the Shashamane Foundation. A message was read from Andreas Eshete, former President, Addis Ababa University. An address was given by Andrew Lawrence, the grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie. Professor Ford’s body was then flown back to Ethiopia as his final resting place.
The following obituary, funeral program, and video records are available below with the permission of the Ford family.
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Professor Ford was my instructor in the late 70’s, early 80’s. I had no idea he was a pianist, Fulbright Scholar or composer. He was a kind man.