Business

African and Caribbean Leaders Celebrate Grand Opening of Club Tane During GABA’s 10th Anniversary in Redford Township

Launched by Cameroonian entrepreneur Brother Tony, Club Tane was honored by GABA as part of a broader effort to uplift new African-owned businesses and build community-based economic momentum across Southeast Michigan.

Held in the heart of Redford Township, the celebration brought together members of the African and Caribbean business community to honor Club Tane’s official launch and highlight the broader importance of investing in diaspora entrepreneurship at the local level.

Moments like this remind us why GABA exists,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “We are here to uplift businesses like Club Tane—not just with applause, but with presence, partnership, and long-term visibility. Brother Tony’s vision is now a real part of our economy, and that deserves to be recognized.

Club Tane is among a growing number of African-owned businesses contributing to the vibrancy of Southeast Michigan’s commercial landscape. Rooted in Cameroonian identity and cultural pride, the establishment adds both economic and social value to the township—creating space for fellowship, gathering, and community celebration.

Supporting small business isn’t a program—it’s a mindset,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “When we show up for new entrepreneurs, especially those launching with vision and heart, we’re making a statement about the kind of economy we want to build—one that includes us.

The grand opening was both a celebration of Brother Tony’s achievement and a reflection of GABA’s continued mission: to connect, elevate, and stand alongside African and Caribbean entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

As GABA marks 10 years of work across Southeast Michigan, events like this reaffirm the organization’s belief that real economic growth starts with community, culture, and courageous first steps.

GABA Co-Sponsors Landmark Convening Focused on Economic Integration for Michigan’s Black Migrants

In partnership with ABISA, the inaugural Michigan Blvck Migrant Convening positions workforce access, housing, and education as critical pathways to long-term economic mobility.

Saturday, October 26th, 2024

Detroit, Michigan — This past Saturday, the Global African Business Association (GABA) was honored to co-sponsor and participate in the inaugural Michigan Blvck Migrant Convening, hosted at Wayne State University by our community impact partner, the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA). The gathering marked a pivotal step toward advancing inclusive economic opportunities for Michigan’s Black migrant communities, setting the tone for transformative, cross-sector dialogue on workforce integration and structural equity.

With a focus on reimagining economic mobility through the lenses of employment, housing, and education, the convening brought together thought leaders, advocates, and practitioners committed to building a stronger, more inclusive Michigan. GABA’s leadership played an active role in guiding these conversations, reflecting our deep commitment to aligning economic systems with the lived realities of African and Caribbean migrants.

“This convening reminded us that workforce integration is not a siloed issue—it’s a systems issue,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association  “If we are serious about building a future-ready economy, we must create entry points for Black migrants that are rooted in dignity, skill-building, and long-term opportunity.”

Akinyemi moderated the Re-powering Economic Opportunities and Workforce Integration panel, emphasizing the importance of bridging skills gaps, scaling workforce training, and removing systemic barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. He challenged stakeholders to view migrants not as participants, but as co-builders of Michigan’s future economy.

“We cannot talk about workforce integration without addressing where people live,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of The Global African Business Association “Stable housing must be part of the employment conversation. When we create intentional partnerships between housing systems and workforce programs, we are not just responding to need—we are building pathways out of economic vulnerability.”

Ms. O. Rerhi Onomake contributed to the Addressing Housing Challenges and Living Conditions panel, where she called attention to the interconnected nature of housing security and economic mobility.

Dr. Elizabeth Ajayi-Bridges, GABA Board Director, participated in the Meeting Educational Challenges and Strengthening Community Support session. Her remarks highlighted the urgent need for culturally responsive education systems that equip migrants for meaningful employment and business ownership.

“Education must be designed with the community in mind,” said Dr. Ajayi-Bridges. “Migrant learners need access to programs that respect their identities, build on their experiences, and prepare them to lead in today’s economy.”

The Michigan Blvck Migrant Convening made clear that workforce integration is not just about job placement—it’s about building an economic ecosystem where Black migrants can thrive. The barriers facing these communities are multifaceted—language, documentation, access to capital—but so are the solutions.

GABA’s commitment to African and African-Caribbean entrepreneurs includes targeted programs for U.S. market entry, digital optimization, and business capacity building. These offerings are designed to support migrants not only in surviving economic transition—but in shaping it.

GABA Honors Inkster’s 60-Year Journey as a Birthplace of Black Economic Vision

As the city celebrates a major milestone, GABA reflects on its origins in Inkster and recommits to building systems of support, opportunity, and connection across African American communities.

Thursday November 7, 2025

Inkster, Michigan - This past weekend, the Global African Business Association (GABA) joined civic and business leaders in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the City of Inkster—a city whose legacy continues to shape the region’s economic, cultural, and civic identity. Held at the Pinnacle Center and sponsored by the Inkster Chamber of Commerce, the celebration was more than a ceremonial gathering—it was a reaffirmation of a community’s resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to progress.

For the GABA Foundation, this occasion held particular significance. Inkster is more than a location on the map—it is where GABA was born. Over a decade ago, the Global African Business Association was founded in Inkster with a clear mission: to uplift African and Caribbean communities through enterprise, education, and institution-building. That mission was born from the city’s legacy of Black leadership, working-class strength, and community organizing.

“Inkster gave us more than a beginning—it gave us a blueprint,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “This city represents the kind of place where vision meets discipline, where challenges spark innovation. GABA was built with Inkster’s values in its DNA—self-determination, service, and systems thinking. We honor those roots every time we help a business grow or a community gain access to opportunity.”

The evening, led by Inkster Chamber President Kimberly Faison, brought together long-time residents, entrepreneurs, and public officials to reflect on the city’s contributions and its future. Guests were welcomed with music, food, and heartfelt tributes that underscored Inkster’s enduring role in shaping Black civic and economic life in Michigan.

Also in attendance was GABA Co-Founder O. Rerhi Onomake, who offered a deeply personal reflection on the city’s legacy. “Inkster has always been a place of quiet strength,” said Onomake. “It’s where everyday people made extraordinary contributions. As a founder, it means everything to return to the place where this work began—to celebrate, to reflect, and to continue investing in the communities that first believed in us.”

The 60th anniversary celebration was a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t just about the past—it’s about how we carry it forward. From grassroots leadership to intergenerational entrepreneurship, Inkster has played an outsized role in shaping the region’s Black economic identity. And for GABA, the city remains not only a foundational chapter in its story—but a guiding force in its future.

As the GABA Foundation continues its work in workforce development, logistics, and economic strategy across Michigan and beyond, it remains grounded in the community values it first encountered in Inkster. Those values—collaboration, accountability, and shared vision—continue to shape the organization’s path forward.

Here’s to 60 years of Inkster—and to the next chapter of Black economic leadership born from cities that build, believe, and lead.