African Development Center

ADC Financial Education workshops throughout Minnesota have been helping hundreds of immigrants and refugees learn how to approach their financial dreams and challenges. However, many of the largest impacts from this work is through the One-on-One Counseling provided by ADC experts. This is just one story of an individual making a substantial change in her life through this type of assistance.

ADC provided Abdirisaq and his family with the financial education to understand the economic reality of home buying and what it will take to obtain this financial dream. After struggling in a number of apartments too small for his growing family, Abdirisaq was able to manage his modest income, improve his credit, and purchase a 5-bedroom home from Habitat for Humanity. Today, he and his family enjoy the beauty and space of this 100-year old home in downtown St. Cloud.

This article from the Southwest Journal is just one of many stories about ADC Business Development client and owner of Sadia’s Gourmet Hot Sauce, Korad “Sadia” Abdi. As the popularity of this delicious sauce grows, so does the coverage on the hard work and drive pushing Sadia towards success. Click here to learn more about this inspiring success story!

With lending and technical assistance from the African Development Center, Abdi Abukar has been able to expand his Somali Café and Restaurant to now include a halal meat and grocery section. Located on the busy East Germaine Street in St. Cloud, Abukar is helping to meet the growing demand for East African cuisine, halal meat, and groceries that is accompanying this expanding population of new Americans within the city. Click here for more on this Success Story.

Afro Deli & Coffee

Since opening its doors this past fall, the Afro Deli & Coffee has seen a great amount of success and praise from a wide variety of patrons. Visit here to learn more about this social venture of the African Development Center; and here to browse the delicious menu.

The first thing people notice when they walk into the new African Development Center building is the sheer vibrancy of colors and the incredible diversity of artworks presented throughout. The African-influenced art at this gallery is vibrant and alive with emotion. The artists have different backgrounds but share a love for and desire to add to the confluence that is African art.

For the third year in a row, the African Development Center was named the Number One Business Lender in the City of Minneapolis. “We are thrilled and honored to receive this award. We believe this is a reflection of our hard work in the community, and the commitment our clients maintain as they continue to start small businesses and fuel our economy,” said Hussein Samatar, Founder and Executive Director of ADC.

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.

The African influenced art at this gallery is vibrant and alive with emotion. The artists have different backgrounds but share a love for and desire to add to the confluence that is African art. Highlighted will be little known techniques such as silk embroidery presented as representational art; Araism, a dynamic new style developed in Nigeria in 2006, similar to mosaics.

The African Development Center co-hosted the organization’s first “Rural Community Economic Development Summit“in Marshall, Minnesota on in November. The summit was a rare opportunity to focus on Greater Minnesota, as rural communities throughout the state struggle to build wealth and promote community economic development.