African Development Center

“The state fair has a mix of everything, it’s a fusion of Minnesota’s best and we are thrilled that someone from the new American community is participating in this process. We are also delighted that state fair participants will now be able to experience and enjoy African cuisine as part of what the fair offers,” said Hussein Samatar, Executive Director of ADC.

The African Development Center is honored to be among a remarkable pool of national organizations serving struggling communities that will receive CDFI funding to promote community economic development. ADC’s inventive and unique work assisting new American communities in Minnesota made the organization a successful candidate and steep competition in this year’s pursuit of CDFI funding.

This brick represents a gathering place which has since been lost. Dania Hall was an imposing Victorian which commanded the attention of every passerby on Cedar Avenue. Sitting in the corner of Cedar Avenue and Fifth Street, the structure looked like it had been there forever. It was built in 1886 and was a meeting place for Danish Americans but grew to accommodate the greater community in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

ADC is pleased to announce that the organization is now a HUD approved housing counseling agency. This process will enhance the organization’s visibility and credibility in the housing industry as ADC continues to provide the same quality services to clients from a wide-range of experiences.

The ADC Annual Gala was held at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center and hosted approximately two hundred people. The festivities began at 6pm with a silent auction in the Johnson Great Room, and was followed by the Titambe West African Dance Troupe who entertained the guests in their traditional outfits and their rendition of African drums and dance.

ADC and the City of Minneapolis (CPED) partnered to complete the financing for City Market, investing a total of $70,000 through the City’s Alternative Financing Program for small businesses. Minneapolis Mayor and Ward 9 City Council Member joined the ADC in recognition of rising entrepreneurship among Africans in Minnesota and its revitalizing effects in commercial corridors like Lake Street…

The African Development Center, Saint Martin’s Table, and Trinity Lutheran are proud to announce their participation in the Peace Pole phenomenon that is taking place in more than 200 countries. As many political and religious leaders have done in the past, these community organizations have dedicated their own Peace Poles on June 3rd, 2010 as a constant reminder of this shared mission.

The ADC Business Breakfast Roundtable was developed to better facilitate dialogue in our community and connect people who otherwise may not cross paths. The series also exists to offer insights and information on institutions, systems, laws, tools, etc. for business clients and community members. Since its inception, the roundtable has been a great success, drawing together people from all backgrounds and touching on a wide-range of topics.

Abdiqafar Adan observed the shortage of African Immigrant’s groceries. In 2000, he organized seven other partners to start the Afrik grocery store and wholesale operation on Cedar Avenue. The business prospered and began filling another resource shortage by becoming an unofficial neighborhood service center for recent arrivals to the United States…

Jamal began a family, and with it came the thought that he could provide better for his family as a business owner than an employee. Friends referred him to ADC, and in 2005 he completed a business planning workshop. Hussein Farah continued to work with Jamal and his business partner Abshir, and in 2007, ADC extended Islamic-compliant financing …