African Development Center

ADC’s Business Development Director Hussein Farah, speaks on the mission, work, and impact of the organization on CNN’s “Inside Africa.” We encourage all to check out this inspirational piece, which highlights staff, clients, and friends of the African Development Center, as well as other leaders within the Somali-American community in Minneapolis.

The African Development Center sponsored the first annual Students Against Violence (SAV) recruitment event this year at its headquarters as part of the organization’s ongoing community and youth development initiatives. ADC’s Executive Director served as the keynote speaker, and addressed the young men by talking about his own experiences coming to the United States as a young adult.

Since the African Development Center’s inception, the work of volunteers and interns has fueled the work of the organization. ADC is grateful to its wonderful interns who assist in carrying out daily operations, and who tireless give to implement ADC’s mission.

Mayor R.T. Rybak and several City Council members came to the African Development Center where the City of Minneapolis hosted an open house to celebrate the Great Streets Neighborhood Business District program. Over sixty people came to hear stories about business successes, innovative programs, and how partnership can work to lift communities during the most difficult of times.

ADC’s Homeownership and Financial Literacy Director recently participated in the Twin Cities Immigrant Roundtable where the organization co-convened a three- hour immigration forum at the International Institute in St. Paul. The event focused on issues and challenges affecting Minnesota’s and thus America’s immigrant communities.

ADC is pleased to share that the Comcast Foundation recently funded the organization to support its new financial literacy and home ownership center, a state-of-the-art educational space that enables ADC clients to learn in a high tech environment. The center is called the Meridel Le Sueur Education Center, in honor of the late writer and activist who shed light on many humanitarian issues throughout her career.

“It’s hard enough if you’re a traditional Minnesotan, but the survival skills of new Americans are amazing,” Heegaard remarks. His book shares Samatar’s experience as a young economist whose country collapsed just days after graduation, the flight and struggles of the “lost generation of Somalia,” the refugee experience in Minnesota, as well as the inception and growth of the African Development Center…

Art, music, and lively discussions came together during the opening reception for ADC’s Fine Art Gallery, a venue showcasing African-influenced art from local and international artists. On its surface, the exhibit, “Afro-Universal,” is a mixed show of contemporary fine art from Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Brazil and the United States. More broadly, the exhibit is a vibrant celebration of the state’s changing …

In addressing the class on its first day, Executive Director, Hussein Samatar promised that ADC would do everything in its power to support viable businesses. Hussein Farah, Director of Business Development and a class instructor, was impressed by the enthusiasm of the class. “The best part of my job is to see people develop their dreams into reality.” He also made clear the challenges of starting a business…

“Who knew that this community could create something out of nothing?” “Who knew when we came 16 years ago that we could be a part of this landscape?” Samatar said. The center and its all-African immigrant staff moved from its previous location to replace the North Country Co-op at 1931 South 5th Street in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. The bright green and orange building is …