AEDS celebrates National Black Business Month with 5th annual conference

On Thursday, Aug. 1, African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) kicked off an extended weekend celebrating the contributions and presence of the African diaspora in Minnesota.

AEDS commenced National Black Business Month with the Annual African Leadership Conference, marking its fifth year. Following the conference, AEDS co-hosted its 10th annual Little Africa Festival and Parade on Sunday, August 4.

Founded by Gene Gelgelu in 2008, AEDS has aimed to support and advance the well-being of the growing African Diaspora, particularly in the Twin Cities, by providing comprehensive services for business owners and entrepreneurs of Black heritage.

AEDS focuses on providing tools, training, education, and funding that allow African-owned businesses to thrive and, in turn, contribute to the economic vibrancy of the diaspora.

The Annual African Leadership Conference has become one of AEDS’s flagship events. When asked what theme was pursued for the conference this year, AEDS Director of Lending Kedir Kurfessa, said, “Building what you start” was one of the principles that informed the structure of the sessions and what presenters and speakers were asked to lead the sessions.

Kurfessa added that in honor of the theme, there wasn’t a great difference between this year’s conference and the previous one.

However, his team noticed more conference attendees visiting from outside the state. Attendees flew in from places like New York, D.C., California, and Maryland. With pride and assurance, Kurfessa said, “We’re expanding.”

Day one of the conference included a plenary session titled Women in Leadership. Dr. Habon Abdulle, an advocate of civic leadership, moderated the discussion, which included insights from panelists on what can help more African women attain leadership positions and opportunities without compromising authenticity.

Breaking away from a common trope, the panelists shared their rejection of the infantilized portrayal of African women. “If we weren’t already empowered and resilient, we wouldn’t be here and where we are today,” said Comfort Dondo. Dondo is the founder of Phumulani Minnesota, an organization that serves as a multifaceted resource for African women escaping domestic violence and abuse.

The rise of African women in career and community leadership also includes men. Maame Afon, a musician and strategist, said, “Men can be helpful by breaking the prototype [of how men are usually expected to be in relation to women] and advocate for our names in spaces we are not in.”

Dr. Fatima Lawson, who was recently named a National Distinguished Principal for her leadership in Saint Paul Public elementary schools, added, “Men can help us by being genuine partners — not threatened by our power.”

Day two of the conference began with keynote speaker Eskinder Negash from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), a refugee resettlement resource and advocacy organization.

Negash asserted, “When refugees are forced to leave their home, they want to be a part of and contribute to their new community.” The spirit of “lifting as you climb” was woven throughout Negash’s remarks as a call to the diaspora community to observe servant leadership.

A late morning session on Arts, Culture, Heritage, Identity, and Cultural Healing centered on the interconnected nature of everything listed in the session title. Moderated by Kathy Mouacheupao, executive director of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), shared the importance of this session to AEDS: “AEDS prioritizes including arts and culture [each year] because of the connection to sense of identity and self-awareness. Arts and culture matter no matter what your field of work is; we all carry arts and culture in our hearts and bodies.”

Across the hall from the discussion on the function of art across the Black diaspora was a breakout session on technology for small businesses and economic development. In response to a question about overcoming fear of investing, panelist Ayori Selassie, a ‘selfpreneur” responded, “If your family brought you to the United States, they have already invested in you. You are an investment (and have what it takes to be an investor). We need to think about investing differently in our communities.”

On day two of the conference, educator, author, and civil rights attorney Dr. Artika Tyner moderated the plenary session highlighting youth in leadership.

A panelist who will be starting her freshman year of college in the fall and another panelist who ended his in the spring shared with the audience forms of support they are seeking from community elders—mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship were repeatedly mentioned.

Conference attendee Mustapha Ibrahim who moved to Minnesota three weeks ago, explained why it was important for him to seek out and make it to this year’s leadership conference.

“I learned about this conference while looking for funding for my new business. I found out that (AEDS) actually provides loans and grants to African-owned businesses,” said Ibrahim. “I learned about this event and the Little Africa Parade and Festival. I decided to come because I was looking to connect with more Africans, and it was very useful! I felt like I learned a lot from the panels and meeting new people.”

The conference concluded with two afternoon sessions: one spotlighting holistic early childhood education, which includes enriching cognitive, social, and self-awareness development, and another demonstrating the need for adults to proactively nurture their psychological and physical health.

To learn more about the sessions, speakers, and resources featured at this year’s leadership conference, visit the AEDS website at www.aeds-mn.org/about-us.

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