Projects & Programs
Our innovative programs and institutions have been successful for over 38 years to empower our community economically, politically and culturally for lasting change
African People's Education
& Defense Fund
APEDF Programs & Community Projects
Black Power Blueprint
St. Louis, MO
Black Power Blueprint is a joint initiative of the African People's Education and Defense Fund (APEDF) and Black Star Industries (BSI), advancing North St. Louis through renovation, economic development and community-led political power.
Uhuru Bakery & Cafe
St. Louis, MO
Uhuru Bakery & Cafe is designed as a neighborhood anchor that brings food service, gathering space and visible economic activity into a corridor that has faced long-term disinvestment.
The project combines a bakery, cafe and commercial kitchen so community-based food enterprises can grow while Uhuru Foods & Pies expands its presence through a stable operating home in St. Louis.
Locations:
3719 W. Florissant.
3723 Goodfellow.
Housing for African Independence Workforce Program
St. Louis, MO
This completed four-family housing project supports the African Independence Workforce Program by creating stable living space tied to training, job pathways and successful community re-entry.
Community Basketball Court
St. Louis, MO
This court creates room for youth programming, open play, leagues, tournaments and neighborhood gathering while adding another community wellness asset to the area.
Uhuru Wa Kulea "Freedom to Nurture" Women's Health Center
St. Louis, MO
The Uhuru Wa Kulea project is specifically designed to alleviate the trauma women and children face in our community due to the lack of healthcare and the inability to control our healthcare choices. The Uhuru Wa Kulea Program addresses the mental and physical health of Black girls and women by providing prenatal, birthing, and post-natal care, trauma-informed yoga, an annual African Girl's Day event, a medicinal herb treatment program, and more!
African Doula Project
St. Louis, MO
APEDF is organizing health and self-care programs that reinforce traditional African culture while investing in the future of the community through doula and childbirth educator certification, employment pathways and entrepreneurship.
Black Power Square
An Innovative Vision Created From Shipping Containers
St. Louis, MO
APEDF purchased two properties with the support of the community at 4007-4009 W. Florissant and demolished the condemned buildings to make way for retail opportunities where none currently exist. Black Power Square will be a small business center and retail complex. It will support black entrepreneurship, develop small businesses and community commerce, create jobs and return economic prosperity to North St. Louis.
One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market
St. Louis, MO
Our mission is to provide access to fresh, healthy food to the black community, end food apartheid and create community commerce by building relationships with black farmers and vendors - a blueprint for African self-reliance and self-determination
Uhuru Foods & Pies
Since 1981, Uhuru Foods & Pies have been part of building an independent economy for African people. APEDF sponsors Uhuru Foods & Pies, which is part of Black Star Industries–creating commerce by and between African People worldwide. Uhuru Foods & Pies is not a business owned by one individual, but part of an independent African economy that African people are building to once again own land, food production, and distribution.
Affordable Housing Program
St. Louis , MO
The Affordable Housing program is a project by and for the black community! APEDF is currently renovating multiple properties that have been sitting unoccupied for between 15-30 years. APEDF funded renovations, not only to resuscitate valuable housing stock left to rot by the city, but also to create employment for contractors, mainly African and Indigenous community members including skilled trades people and hardworking laborers
Black Power 96.3 Radio
St. Petersburg , FL
Black Power 96 Radio's mission is to defend the human and civil rights of the African community through our educational and cultural programming, to provide professional radio broadcasting training, and to promote economic development and self-reliance in the African community. We broadcast at 96.3 on the FM dial in St. Petersburg, Florida and are heard around the world through the stream on our website and through our mobile app
