Government

African and Caribbean Leaders Engage Detroit City Council in Policy Dialogue on Jobs, Housing, and Business Equity

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.

Nigerian Consulate Leads Diplomatic Trade Mission to Michigan for Strategic Talks with GABA and Local Officials

A multi-day delegation led by the Consulate General of Nigeria (New York) convened state and local officials, port authorities, and the GABA Board to explore international trade, investment, and logistics opportunities between Nigeria and Michigan.

August 11, 2024 

Michigan — In August 2024, the Consulate General of Nigeria (New York) led a high-level diplomatic visit to Michigan, engaging state and local leaders, port authorities, and the Global African Business Association (GABA) Board of Directors in a series of strategic discussions aimed at expanding international trade between Nigeria and Southeast Michigan.

The delegation, led by Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, Consul General of Nigeria (New York), and Trade Ambassador Franklin Abiola Ogunyemi, visited several key economic sites across Wayne and Monroe Counties—including the Port of Monroe, Eastern Market, and Michigan Central—in partnership with GABA and local government partners.

At the core of the mission was a shared vision: to explore how Michigan’s ports and regional infrastructure can serve as a new gateway for Nigerian imports, exports, and industrial collaboration.

“This mission was about diplomacy in action,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “It was a strategic dialogue between governments—anchored by a shared commitment to building trade routes that serve our economies, our people, and our future.”

A focal point of the visit was a roundtable at the Port of Monroe, where officials from DRM Terminal Services and Monroe Economic Development presented the port’s growing capabilities—including its upcoming container terminal and access to the St. Lawrence Seaway. These assets represent untapped potential for expanded maritime trade between Nigeria and the Midwest.

Meanwhile, in Detroit, the delegation met with Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, Commission Chair Alisha Bell, Economic Development Director Hassan Sheikh, and Deputy Executive Assad I. Turfe. The conversations centered on how Wayne County can actively support 21st-century trade strategies with African nations, particularly in sectors like raw materials, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial development.

“This engagement reflects our commitment to building global trade partnerships rooted in integrity, strategy, and mutual benefit,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “When local government, African leadership, and diaspora institutions align—we unlock systems-level change.”

As GABA continues to deepen international relationships that advance diaspora trade, this visit affirmed a broader movement: Africa is not waiting to be included in the global economy—it is leading it.

The Consulate General’s visit marks a meaningful step toward a bilateral trade framework between Michigan and Nigeria, grounded in diplomacy, infrastructure, and long-term opportunity. GABA is honored to have served as a trusted convener, connector, and partner in this historic dialogue.