Defending the human and
civil rights of the African community
Addressing the grave disparities in education,
health and economic development
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Testimonials
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"As an advocate for environmental and social justice, I find volunteer work with Uhuru Furniture deeply satisfying. I love knowing that the time and energy I commit to this local initiative contributes to African self-determination and empowerment around the globe. At once, I can help recycle housewares in Philadelphia and raise funds and enthusiasm for resolving education, health, and economic disparities worldwide."
- Jacqueline B., Philadelphia, PA
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"It doesn't get any better than to have Uhuru Pies on the table for Thanksgiving--they taste divine, they make a difference, and the price is right all at the same time. That's the true spirit of the holiday! Don't buy just one or you will regret it!!"
- Michelle P. and Andre K., Tampa, Fl
St. Petersburg Uhuru House : Kitchen Status
Help Build Self-Sustaining African community development in African Hands.
APEDF's Funding Goal for the Community Commercial Kitchen Project Reaches the Half-way Mark - Let's Take it to the Top!
Thanks to the many volunteers, friends and supporters of the African People's Education & Defense Fund, a portion of the needed funds have been raised enabling us to launch construction for the installation of a community commercial kitchen at the St. Petersburg, Florida Uhuru House.
The architect plans have been submitted and approved by the City!
TECO Gas Company installed the gas lines to the building!
Some of the equipment has been donated or purchased at auction!
APEDF is moving rapidly to raise the remaining funds to complete this economic development project in response to the worldwide economic crisis and its impact on an already impoverished African community.
We want to thank our contributors so far:
- Inviduals, families, friends of APEDF
- Yoga with a Purpose
- Uhuru Pies buyers and sellers
- Uhuru Furniture shoppers, donors, volunteers in Oakland and Philadelphia
- Uhuru Holiday Online Auction
- Mi Lah Vegetarian - Philadelphia
- Watson - Tanz Wedding
- Friends' Facebook Birthday Fundraisers
The Community Commercial Kitchen Means Grassroots Economic Empowerment
For the African community in South St. Petersburg who face poverty and joblessness at alarming rates, the Uhuru House community commercial kitchen will be an engine of economic development and a model to be replicated across the country. This institution will create jobs and open up opportunities for community-based businesses for caterers, food vendors and entrepreneurs, who in the past have been locked out because of limited access to affordable commercial-grade facilities. It will also provide trainings and skill development and classes in nutrition and cooking.
Circulating the Benefits Throughout The African Community
It's hard to overstate the economic impact on local communities that will come from this institution. Recent economic studies show that locally controlled enterprises keep far more money circulating in the community than outside corporations controlled by distant owners. If a dollar is spent at a locally controlled business, 73 cents circulates in the community, benefiting people there. If a dollar is spent in a non-local corporation, only 43 cents stays in the community.
Across the country are countless examples of Black community neighborhoods that have lost their base of local African businesses, devastating local economies and ripping up the social fabric. The community commercial kitchen and other APEDF economic development projects will help reverse this trend.
Real Optimism For A Positive Future
The vision for APEDF is optimistic and hopeful because it opens new possibilities. It paves the way for African people to transcend the failed institutions of the past and transform the conditions in African communities everywhere. It is a positive future that comes from the African community solving problems by uniting Africans in self-determination. By supporting the commercial kitchen project you can help plant the seeds of true progress across this country.
To make a donation and/or find out more about the community commercial kitchen project, go to apedf.org or call the APEDF national office at 727-821-2437.