Could making Abyssinia large enough do the trick? Or Axum, as it was known long, long ago?
If the Axumites are trading on equal footing with Romans and Byzantines, that would help, but with humanity having such short memories, there would have to be some continuity of that, most likely.
Or, is therea way to make Abyssinia (or is it 2 "b"s? Both look weird right now) a strong Christian nation, at least some brand of Christian, so when the Crusaders come in cotnact, they think, "It's the mythical Prestor John," thus elevating them in peoples' eyes. (Granted, I haven't read "Ethiopia of the West" yet so maybe that's happening there?)
Which would lead to possible problems with Protestantism, but even that need not be huge if they're actually closer to the Protestant Church (the butterflies can be enormous) or if someone from there becomes a major Protestant leader a la Luther, Knox, Calvin, etc.
Of coruse, that doesn't help with racism involving Asian peoples, both against and by them, but it's a start.