Minnesota's Legacy

African Economic Development Solutions is an economic development agency dedicated to serving entrepreneurs, specializing with African communities who are adjusting to the United States. AEDS also puts on the Little Africa Festival off Snelling Avenue in St Paul to showcase and market entrepreneurs, build networks of relationships and support artists.

Creators and Guests

BA
Producer
Britt Aamodt
ER
Producer
Eemanna Rivers

What is Minnesota's Legacy?

Minnesota's Legacy showcases the organizations and the people who have benefited from Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment in sound-rich 90-second segments.

Opening: This is Minnesota's Legacy: A look at the organizations and people who have benefitted from Minnesota's unique Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

BRITT AAMODT: Somalia. Nigeria. Ethiopia. Kenya. Liberia. Immigrants from those and other African nations have made Minnesota their home. And for one day, every summer, the creativity and diversity of those cultures is celebrated in Hamline Park. Audio music, sfx crowd, sounds of celebration

DR GENE GELGELU: We do the Little Africa Festival and Parade every year the first week of August.

AAMODT: In 2008, Dr. Gene Gelgelu founded African Economic Development Solutions, which offers business development training for African immigrants in Minnesota. It also hosts the annual celebration.

GELGELU: It's here in Saint Paul to showcase the resilience and hard work of African immigrants in this country.

AAMODT: The Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund allows the organization to make this a free public event.

GELGELU: Africa Festival is about showcasing the diversity of African immigrant here using the arts and culture. Audio music, other SFX, outdoor fair, food maybe

AAMODT: From noon to 9 p.m., the Little Africa Festival and Parade showcases Minnesota's African community with music, dancing, art, fashion and, of course, lots of delicious food.

Closing: Minnesota's Legacy is a production of AMPERS, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, more at ampers dot org.