AnnualReport
A decade of trust. A community empowered. A future being built right here in Michigan.
Established 2014 · Livonia, MichiganA Letter from OurPresident
When the Global African Business Association developed its strategic plan in 2014, we set out to establish a dedicated African Caribbean economic development team focused on marketing the region to global business leaders and attracting investment to the network within the United States.
By 2025, we achieved this goal in a spectacular way. GABA recorded its largest one year totals in history, securing 10 project wins and $1 million in combined investments with our African Caribbean markets. This success, made possible by our Board of Directors, government support, and business intelligence, underscores our commitment to becoming one of the most successful and inclusive regions in the state.
This remarkable impact reflects our growth as an organization, expanding from a team of four in 2014 to more than 30 international experts and over 25 strategic partnerships by 2024. Our team drives actions that create jobs and attract investments, including travel to domestic and foreign markets within the African Caribbean Diaspora, while providing talent solutions and partner connections for businesses looking to expand.
GABA officially launched the GABA Marketplace Center, a new supply chain of African Caribbean dry goods and a platform for African businesses investing in Michigan's urban communities.
The goals for the GABA Marketplace Center from 2025 to 2035 are ambitious yet achievable. They include the creation of 6,000 new jobs, 7,000 pathway jobs, $20 million in investments, and $4 million in payroll.
A Letter from OurBoard Chair
Growth and transformation are at the core of GABA's journey. What began as the National African Business Association, focused on connecting communities through trade and business development, has evolved into the Global African Business Association with a mission to link Sub Saharan Africa with urban communities across the United States.
With an expanded global presence, GABA has forged strong economic connections that create jobs and empower communities. Through the dedication of our Global Ambassadors, we have linked Michigan businesses to African markets, establishing a pipeline of opportunities that strengthen industries and build economic ecosystems on both sides of the Atlantic.
Recognizing the importance of digital transformation, GABA integrates smart city concepts, cybersecurity, fintech, and blockchain into its initiatives, modernizing how businesses and communities connect. Partnerships with institutions like the University of Michigan position us to drive innovative solutions that support economic equity and job creation.
Since our reintroduction in 2019, GABA has worked to ensure that African immigrant and refugee communities have both a voice and opportunities to shape their economic futures.
From NABA to GABA.
A Decade of Growth.
What began as the National African Business Association has evolved into the Global African Business Association with a mission to link Sub Saharan Africa with urban communities across the United States.
This evolution reflects our commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and economic prosperity for one of Michigan's most economically active and chronically underinvested communities.
Guided by a vision of sustainable and inclusive growth, GABA focuses on preparing communities for future industries through STEAM initiatives and nurturing ecosystems that empower startups and small businesses.
2026 Board of Directors
Distinguished leaders from business, government, and education whose dedication and visionary leadership continue to elevate our network and advance our shared mission.
Building Leaders.
Funding Futures.
Michigan's African and Caribbean business community is not short on talent, drive, or vision. What it has been short on is infrastructure. GABAWorks exists to close that gap by delivering technical assistance, capacity building, and workforce readiness programming that this community has never had a dedicated home for in Michigan.
Through a personalized intake process that identifies specific gaps within each business, GABAWorks builds a customized, self paced learning pathway accessible from anywhere in Michigan. A business owner in Grand Rapids gets the same quality of support as one in Detroit, on their schedule, at their level, without leaving their community.
To date, GABAWorks has supported more than 200 individual business consultations, created 34 jobs, and supported 60 women owned businesses.
For many families in our community, the barrier is not the problem itself. It is knowing where to go, who to trust, and how to navigate systems that were not built with them in mind. GABA Access exists for that moment.
Through a mobile clinic model operating across Detroit, Inkster, Ypsilanti, Benton Harbor, and Grand Rapids, GABA Access delivers community resource navigation, benefits navigation, and wraparound services that meet families where they are, literally in their own neighborhoods and communities.
Every clinic is staffed by people who understand the cultural context, speak the community's language, and have the organizational infrastructure to follow through. Families do not leave with a pamphlet. They leave with a plan, a connection, and the relief of knowing they found the right people.
To the Community We Serve
Named in honor of GABA co founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Akindele F. Akinyemi, this scholarship supports high achieving international students attending Michigan community colleges and pursuing degrees in library science, informatics, information technology, or allied health fields.
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in 12 or more semester credits toward an associate degree, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25, not hold a prior bachelor's degree, and demonstrate academic excellence that will lead to career advancement.
Presented by the GABA Foundation and celebrating grassroots leadership and service, this scholarship supports international students currently attending a Michigan based college and enrolled in 12 or more semester credits of college level coursework toward a bachelor's degree.
Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25, not hold a prior bachelor's degree from any institution, and demonstrate academic excellence that will lead to career advancement.
Kelly Egbisimwa was a proud recipient of this scholarship, awarded at the GABA Glow Dinner in recognition of her outstanding leadership and commitment to community advancement.
Emergency support with dignity, compassion, and care. The GABA Resilience Fund provides direct financial gifts of up to $500 to community members facing urgent hardship. No repayment is necessary. Approved applicants receive direct financial support to help ease urgent burdens.
The fund supports families navigating housing instability or eviction risk, unexpected medical or mental health expenses, fire, flood, or disaster recovery, funeral or bereavement costs, and job loss or family hardship.
In 2025, GABA distributed thousands of dollars through the Resilience Fund, providing emergency relief to families across Michigan with the commitment that no one in our community should face crisis alone.
Our Grants.
Your Community.
GABA's grantmaking directly invests in the organizations doing the work that keeps our community moving. From immigration and social affairs to cultural preservation and economic empowerment, every grant is a bet on a brighter Michigan.
In 2025, GABA received $1 million in grant revenue to community organizations across the state, a record setting year that reflects the growth of our grant infrastructure and the trust of our funders.
The GABA Marketplace Center
GABA officially launched the GABA Marketplace Center, a new supply chain of African Caribbean dry goods and a platform for African businesses investing in Michigan's urban communities.
We are also positioning ourselves to join Michigan's mobility movement as the world transitions to electric and next generation vehicles. Looking ahead, GABA plans to expand the Marketplace Center by introducing African Caribbean Food Markets supported by a new e commerce platform designed to simplify shopping and transportation for patrons.
The goals from 2025 to 2035 are ambitious yet achievable and they represent the most significant economic infrastructure investment in this community's history.
The Year in Numbers
Invest in theVision
At GABA, every step we take toward building bridges between Michigan and the African continent is fueled by the generosity and belief of those who support our mission. When you give to GABA, you are not just making a donation. You are investing in a vision for a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous future.
Your support launches transformative programs like The Akinyemi Initiative and The Onomake Fellowship, empowering entrepreneurs and future leaders to break barriers and build thriving businesses.