African Development Center

Invited by the Swedbank to join in their annual gathering, Samatar will discuss his experiences in creating an immigrant-led economic development organization and the impact that ADC and others have had bringing about more economic opportunities for the growing community of African immigrant and refugees throughout Minnesota.

2012 has started off with great success in a number of aspects.

The slide show here was part of our recent presentation to the ADC Board regarding our impact as well as future projects.

The African Development Center of Minnesota is proud to announce that its newly revised and upgraded Business Plan Class has recently completed its first session of 2012. This class of 17 graduates participated in a new format that focused most heavily on the issues and obstacles that most often face the African-owned business community. It was a wonderful success, and we are already receiving calls from those interested in signing up for our next class.

The African Development Center was proud to be a part of a community meeting aimed at increasing public knowledge of the Somali culture in the Willmar area. This meeting, sponsored by the Willmar Lakes Area Community Marketing Coalition in cooperation with ADC, the City of Willmar, Willmar Public Schools, Bremer Bank, and the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce was a huge success – with over 650 residents attending the day’s sessions.

The African Development Center of Minnesota recently went through a review with the Charities Review Council, and we are glad to announce that ADC meets all twenty-seven of the Council’s Accountability Standards and was awarded the Meets Standards seal. Visit this page to learn more about this process and approval, and here to see ADC’s report.

For anyone that has ever visited the Main Office of the ADC and its Fine Art Gallery, you have undoubtedly experienced the beautiful work of local artist, Abdulasis “Aziz“ Osman. On Thursday, December 15th, ADC opened its doors in dedication to one of the most generous contributors of this gallery. With a beautiful celebration of music, food, and stimulating conversation, we honored Aziz through an exhibition devoted to his eclectic paintings and colorful terracotta sculptures on display. Visit this page to see photos from the evening.

The international recognition and relationships that ADC has built these past few years was once again evident in the recent visit by delegates from Aarhus, Denmark. Organized by the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie S. Fulton, this week-long trip to Minneapolis was a part of a greater effort to address the issues and obstacles to integration and co-existence in that nation.

It was a beautiful day all around as members of the Willmar community came out to celebrate the Grand Opening of ADC’s new downtown office.
Click here to see photos of this wonderful event and the amazing facility that will serve the growing community of new Americans in this region of Minnesota.

View the amazing changes that took place with the thorough remodel of the new ADC Willmar office building.
This downtown facility has a history of serving the area as the Chamber of Commerce. Now, with the purchase and revitalization by ADC, this legacy will continue, as this office will serve serve as a regional satellite office for the African Development Center of Minnesota!

Recently, *U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie S. Fulton, made a visit to the African Development Center of Minnesota to learn more about the work that ADC does to help the African immigrant and refugee community in the state.