Current programs and activities

1. Community and Business Advocacy: The ACC’s Advocacy Program focuses on systems change initiatives, educating leaders and decision makers about the needs of African communities, membership and networking, identification of the Emerging African Market, leadership training, consumer protection, and alternative lending options for Islamic families.
2. Micro-Business Development: The ACC provides information, education, counseling, and access to resources that allow African immigrant businesses and entrepreneurs to achieve success. Beginning in June of 2008, the ACC will begin offering enhanced services including business plan development, business finances, access to resources, marketing, and general business development training.
3. Micro Grant: Joe finds industrious lower-income people with an idea or opportunity for improving their lives. He evaluates their one-page plans and makes a judgment about their abilities to carry it out. With a reasonable chance of success, he grants them $1,000 for implementation. Typical grants go for computers for home-based businesses, construction tools, office equipment and supplies, books, job training, tuition, licenses for day care or cleaning businesses, insurance, down payments on cars and even working capital.
4. Individual & Family Financial Empowerment: The ACC provides information, education, counseling, and access to resources that allow African immigrant families to increase their financial well-being. Beginning in June of 2008, the ACC will begin offering enhanced services in the areas of basic financial systems, housing/home ownership & asset creation, and consumer protection.