African Peoples Education And Defense Fund Inc

Economic development: apedf continues to operate community-based marketplaces for economic development for the 5th season in st. Louis, and for the 18th season in philadelphia. These marketplaces generate community commerce and address food apartheid and food insecurity. In 2024, the markets provided low cost vending opportunities for over 120 entrepreneurs in philadelphia and 45 urban farmers and entrepreneurs in st. Louis, recirculating money and social capital within the black community. Cultural performances, fitness classes, childrens activities and workshops on gardening, cooking and nutrition are offered. Apedf continued development of our african independence workforce program under the banner our labor, our future, to reverse the negative economic impact of the prison system and provide employment and training to justice impacted individuals and families. Missouris prisons and jails release approximately 100,000 black community members annually. Many of them return to north st. Louis, a community that lacks adequate reentry infrastructure. Apedf purchased a commercial property in 2024 that will be the future home of uhuru (freedom) bakery and cafe. The cafe will be part of the apedfs workforce development program that teaches culinary arts to justice-impacted community members and will utilize fresh produce grown in the black power blueprints community gardens. Funding was obtained to purchase the building and architectural plans were submitted for permitting to renovate the property. This smaller cafe will be a forerunner for a larger uhuru cafe restaurant and food production/distribution facility where re-entry and job skills training will take place on an even larger scale in the future. In 2024, apedf held over 10 networking meetings with organizations for justice-impacted individuals, government agencies, elected officials and workforce employers. Apedf attended three reentry and second chance act conferences with workshops and networking events. Apedf received a capacity building grant from the latino coalition for community leadership to develop the program model, secure funding resources and receive a reentry specialist certification from the national reentry workforce collaborative. Apedf maintains an apartment building in st. Louis that will house workforce program participants. In 2024, apedf purchased a property for renovation in st. Louis to become a retail outlet and e-commerce distribution center for african cultural and educational products. Workforce development program participants and local artists will create and distribute furniture, household decor and accessories hand painted and upholstered with african designs. Apedf continues to advocate for black community based economic development through outreach initiatives. We participate in local and national forums, town halls and public events to forward black economic development within public policy. We connect with our supporters and community members by sending monthly e-newsletters, posting weekly social media posts and continuing to call attention to the need to rebuild intergenerational black wealth and prosperity.

Health and wellness programs: apedf is committed to the health and wellness of the black community. This is evidenced through our numerous health and wellness programs and projects. In 2024, apedfs st. Louis based gary brooks community garden distributed over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to the community at no cost. The produce was cultivated by volunteer gardeners throughout the growing season. Apedf began work in 2024 on a usda funded urban agriculture innovation program to double current community garden-based food production through additional cultivation land, a greenhouse and hydroponic and vertical gardening. This program includes educational gardening workshops that will increase the number of residential-based gardens on the northside of st. Louis. Since 2020, apedf has operated a monthly north st. Louis farmers market in an area where the population is 94% black and 30% of residents experience food insecurity. The farmers market partners with over a dozen black farmers and growers who sell locally grown produce and other fresh foods at the market and conduct workshops on gardening and healthy eating. In philadelphia, apedf held its 16th annual health fair, reaching hundreds of community members with wellbeing and fitness workshops along with information on nutrition, exercise, and healthcare. The apedf community basketball court in st. Louis is a community resource, open to the public. In missouri 23% of black teenagers are not physically active for more than 60 minutes a day, in comparison to 8.2% of white teenagers. Lack of physical activity directly correlates to high rates of heart disease, asthma, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Recreation resources, such as the basketball court, positively impact these alarming health statistics that disproportionately affect black people. Due to apedfs commitment to health, northside residents have access to a safe, well-maintained basketball court on a daily basis. Apedf continued capitalization to build the uhuru wa kulea freedom to nurture maternal health center and doula project in st. Louis. Media and educational services: apedf held our 11th annual book fair in september 2024 at the philadelphia marketplace promoting black authors and independent publishers and booksellers. The book fair featured education resource providers, poetry readings, spoken word, storytelling and literacy activities. Apedf operates a low power noncommercial fm community radio station reaching over 100,000 st. Petersburg, fl residents where 70% of black families live below poverty level. The station is also accessible by cell phone app and internet. Programming is focused on black community empowerment, providing the community with their own voice for news, information and culture. Public health information and weather emergency information are critical roles of the station. With 90% of all media controlled by a handful of large corporations, apedf provides access to the airwaves for unsigned local musical talent and black artists from all over the world. Apedf also provides free broadcast and journalism training for st. Petersburg community members and students who go on to produce live programming at the station. Apedf promotes local business and community activities on air to build black community economic prosperity and engagement.