African and Caribbean leaders convene with Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate to advance dialogue on economic inclusion, small business growth, and civic visibility in Northwest Detroit.
July 17th, 2024
This month, the Global African Business Association (GABA) proudly joined the African Unity Caucus of Michigan in convening a high-impact community meeting with Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate of District 1. Held at Maty’s African Restaurant, the event offered a platform for African and Caribbean community members to engage directly with city leadership around immigration, housing, small business development, and civic inclusion in Northwest Detroit.
Councilman Tate—who represents neighborhoods including Brightmoor, Rosedale Park, and Berg-Lahser—shared updates on key initiatives shaping the district. These included his bi-weekly Satellite Hours at Motor City Java and Tea House, monthly community meetings, and his office’s launch of DiscoverD1.com, the only district-wide online business directory in the city of Detroit.
The meeting marked a critical step in strengthening civic ties between Detroit’s African-descended communities and local government systems. Questions from attendees focused on workforce access, immigration barriers, commercial corridor development, and city grant opportunities for small businesses.
Brian Davis, Business Liaison for District 1, shared insights on grant programs and city-backed resources for entrepreneurs, while Carl W. Baxter, Community Liaison Deputy Clerk of the Office of the Wayne County Clerk, was also present to encourage deeper civic engagement and resource awareness.
“This conversation reflects the kind of civic infrastructure our communities deserve,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co Founder of the Global African Business Association. “We are proud to partner with the African Unity Caucus to ensure that African and Caribbean voices are not just present—but prioritized—in Detroit’s policymaking and neighborhood development strategies.”
As GABA continues its work to connect diaspora communities to systems of power and capital, partnerships like these remain critical. The gathering at Maty’s African Restaurant was more than a meeting—it was a model for community-led, government-connected dialogue that can move Detroit forward, together.
