AfricanTown Trade Academy

• Russell Woods
• Dexter Linwood
• Wildemere Park
• Nardin Park
• Petoskey
• Jamison

• Music: Performance venues, recording studios, African music education
• Culinary Arts: African restaurants, food markets, cooking schools
• Fashion: African textiles, designers, boutiques
• Visual & Performing Arts: Galleries, theaters, cultural centers

• African diaspora investment in West Side Detroit real estate
• Import/export infrastructure for African goods
• Business incubation for African-American entrepreneurs
• Job creation through cultural tourism and commerce

• Daily foot traffic: Retail depends on consistent visitors, but lacks its own draw
• Workforce pipeline: Cultural businesses need trained employees
• Economic stability: Institutions provide jobs that don't disappear in recessions
• Housing demand: Students and faculty need places to live
• Support services: Bookstores, cafes, copy shops follow institutions

Universities bring students who live nearby, eat locally, shop locally. Faculty and staff do the same. This creates baseline demand that doesn't fluctuate with trends or seasons.

Prospective students visit. Parents visit. Conference attendees visit. Guest lecturers visit. Alumni return. Each visit means dollars spent in the district.

Students become employees. Training programs supply local businesses. Graduates stay and start businesses. The institution becomes the talent pipeline for the entire district.

Institutions don't leave. A university that establishes a campus creates permanent demand for surrounding properties. Investors gain confidence. Development follows.

Vacant land along the corridor allows an institution to grow with the district. New buildings can be added as enrollment expands. Mixed-use development—housing above retail, classrooms adjacent to restaurants—creates the walkable density that makes districts thrive.

This is rare. Most urban corridors are already built out. AfricanTown has the canvas for something transformative.

• Learning by Doing: Students operate actual businesses as part of curriculum
• Earn While You Learn: Revenue from student-operated businesses funds scholarships
• Career Pathway: Graduates leave with credentials AND business experience
• Lifetime Value: Trained travel agents book Africa trips for 30 years; trained importers sell African goods for decades

Foundation for all other programs. Students learn conversational skills in major African languages while developing deep cultural competency.

• Swahili (East Africa, 100M+ speakers)
• Yoruba (West Africa, Nigeria)
• Amharic (Ethiopia)
• French (Francophone Africa)
• Arabic (North Africa)

Revenue Model: Detroit residents pay for African language instruction. International students pay for English instruction. Exchange programs generate fees.

Students become licensed travel agents specializing in African destinations. They operate a student-run travel agency that books real trips.

• Travel agent certification
• African geography and tourism
• Booking systems and operations
• Customer service
• Heritage tourism specialization

Revenue Model: Commission on booked travel. Agency profits fund scholarships and operations.

Students learn the mechanics of international trade—customs, logistics, documentation—by operating a real import company.

• Customs and compliance
• Shipping and logistics
• Documentation and licensing
• Product sourcing
• Retail operations

Revenue Model: Margin on imported goods. Student-operated retail in AfricanTown district.

Leveraging IC Data Communications' existing expertise to train students in IT fundamentals with African market applications.

• IT fundamentals and certifications
• Network administration
• E-commerce platforms
• Digital marketing for African markets
• Remote work skills

Revenue Model: Corporate training contracts. IT services for local businesses. Job placement fees.

Training professionals who help American businesses enter African markets and African businesses enter American markets.

• Cross-cultural communication
• Business etiquette by region
• Market research methods
• Negotiation styles
• Regulatory landscapes

Revenue Model: Corporate training contracts. Consulting engagements. Certification programs.

• Travel Agency: Commission on bookings (8-15% of trip value)
• Import Company: Margin on African goods (30-50% markup)
• Language Exchange: Fees from Detroit residents learning African languages

• Corporate Training: Cultural competency programs for businesses
• IT Training: Certification prep and professional development
• Government Contracts: Workforce development programs

• Detroit Promise: Free community college for Detroit residents
• Pell Grants: Federal financial aid for qualifying students
• Workforce Development: State and federal training funds
• Private Scholarships: Funded by business revenue

WCCCD offers 130+ credential programs across multiple Detroit campuses with strong workforce development focus. Partnership enables:

• Associate degree pathways for Academy graduates
• Shared facilities and resources
• Accreditation pathway for new programs
• Detroit Promise eligibility for students

80+ years of workforce training experience. Corporate College division specializes in customized employer programs.

• 66% of Detroit Promise students choose Henry Ford
• Corporate training partnership model
• IT certification programs
• Entrepreneurship curriculum

Recently received $6M Mellon Foundation grant to establish Detroit Center for Black Studies. Currently hiring 30 new faculty focused on African and African-American studies.

• Bachelor's degree completion pathways
• Research partnerships
• Faculty exchanges
• Graduate program access

• MBA
• MS in Global Multimedia Journalism
• BS in Entrepreneurship

Faculty travel to Ghana to teach. Students earn Morgan State degrees. The model proves American universities can operate in Africa.

AfricanTown Trade Academy proposes the reverse: African universities establish presence in Detroit.

• University of Ghana extension programs
• Nigerian university partnerships
• Pan-African certificate programs
• Faculty exchanges (African professors teaching in Detroit)

Detroit students earn credentials recognized across Africa. African students spend semesters in Detroit. True bidirectional exchange.

Ghana's Year of Return (2019) demonstrated the model:

• 45% increase in airport arrivals
• Tourist spending increased from $1,862 to $2,589 per visitor
• $1.9-3.3 billion economic impact

Instead of paying for advertising campaigns, African nations can invest in training people who will market their country for 30+ years.

• Curriculum Input: Nations provide cultural content and guest instructors
• Scholarship Funding: Nations sponsor students focusing on their country
• Internship Programs: Students complete practicums in-country
• Trade Facilitation: Nations designate products for import program
• Consular Presence: Potential trade office within AfricanTown district

• Mixed-Use: Academic, commercial, and residential in each building
• Walkable: Everything within 10-minute walk
• African-Inspired: Architecture reflecting cultural heritage
• Sustainable: Green building standards, solar, efficient systems
• Flexible: Spaces that adapt as programs grow

• Lease space in Dexter Arts & Culture Center (28,618 sq ft available)
• Classrooms for certificate programs
• Travel agency storefront
• Import company retail space
• Administrative offices

• Certificate programs (travel, import/export, language)
• Language exchange
• IT fundamentals
• Student-operated businesses begin operations

100-200 students across all certificate programs. Focus on proving demand and refining curriculum before expansion.

• Academy Main Building (30,000-40,000 sq ft)
• Ground floor: Retail, travel agency, import showroom
• Upper floors: Classrooms, labs, offices
• Rooftop: Event space with city views

• Associate degree pathways (via WCCCD partnership)
• Advanced IT certifications
• Cultural consulting certificate
• First African university partnership programs

Partner with developer for adjacent student housing. 50-100 units. Mix of studios and shared apartments. Creates housing demand that supports broader district development.

500-750 students. Mix of certificate, associate degree, and professional development programs.

• Second academic building
• Conference center (hosting African trade delegations)
• Business incubator space
• Expanded student housing (200+ units)
• Cultural center/performance venue

• Bachelor's completion programs (via Wayne State)
• MBA pathway (via African university partner)
• Research programs
• Executive education

• African consulate or trade office
• Pan-African business center
• Hotel (serving Academy visitors and district)
• Full-service restaurants between buildings
• Public plaza and gathering spaces

1,500-2,000 students plus significant professional development and conference traffic.

Each phase represents a development project with its own financing, returns, and risk profile.

• Phase 1: Lease (minimal capital, prove concept)
• Phase 2: Ground lease or joint venture with developer
• Phase 3: Academy-owned or long-term ground lease

• Development fees on each project
• Construction management fees
• Potential equity participation
• Property management contracts

City of Detroit actively marketing these Dexter Avenue parcels for mixed-use development:

• 12020 Dexter Avenue
• 12024 Dexter Avenue
• 12066 Dexter Avenue

Academy development could qualify for city incentives, tax abatements, and infrastructure support.

Economic Development Administration program supporting workforce training systems that lead to quality jobs. Highly aligned with Academy mission.

• Focus: Regional workforce ecosystems
• Typical Awards: $500K - $25M
• Match Required: Varies by program
• Fit: Trade Academy as workforce training for international commerce careers

Recent awards demonstrate scale and scope:

• Lafayette, LA: $885,000 for workforce training facility
• Independence, KS: $1,000,000 for job training programs
• Typical range: $500K - $3M

Application Approach: Position Academy as regional economic development asset connecting Detroit to African markets.

• American Job Centers: Detroit has existing infrastructure; Academy can become specialized provider
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Training funds for eligible students
• Apprenticeship Programs: Registered apprenticeship for trade skills

• Title III: Strengthening institutions grants (via community college partner)
• Pell Grants: Student financial aid for accredited programs
• TRIO Programs: Student support services

• Business development incentives
• Workforce training grants
• Community revitalization programs
• International trade assistance

Michigan program providing training grants to employers. Academy can access funds for:

• Incumbent worker training
• New hire training
• Industry-specific certifications

Free community college tuition for Detroit Public Schools graduates. Academy programs delivered through community college partnership make students eligible.

• Kresge Foundation: Detroit-focused, education and workforce development
• Ford Foundation: Economic opportunity, international programs
• Kellogg Foundation: Education, community development
• Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation: Detroit workforce development

• Airlines: Delta, United—interest in African route development
• Banks: International trade financing, community development
• Tech Companies: IT training program sponsorship
• Import/Export Firms: Workforce pipeline investment

African governments marketing tourism and trade can redirect marketing budgets to training programs with higher ROI.

• Scholarship funding for country-specific programs
• Curriculum development support
• Faculty exchange funding
• Trade office operating support

By Year 3, multiple revenue streams should cover operating costs:

• Tuition and fees (with financial aid)
• Student-operated business revenue
• Corporate training contracts
• Government workforce development contracts
• Grant funding (ongoing, not startup)

• Formalize organizational structure (501(c)(3) or other)
• Secure initial funding commitments
• Negotiate facility lease
• Hire executive director and key staff
• Develop first certificate curricula
• Initiate community college partnership discussions
• Begin African nation outreach

• Complete facility buildout
• Recruit inaugural student cohort
• Launch first certificate programs
• Open student-operated travel agency
• Begin import operations
• Host community open house
• Sign first community college articulation agreement

• Expand program offerings
• Increase enrollment to 150-200
• First cohort completions and job placements
• Establish first African university partnership
• Launch corporate training division
• Begin Phase 2 facility planning

• Break ground on Academy Main Building
• Launch associate degree pathways
• Multiple African nation partnerships active
• Enrollment reaches 500+
• Student housing development underway
• Financial sustainability achieved

Diverse board representing key stakeholder groups:

• AfricanTown community leadership
• Academic partners (community college, university)
• Business community
• African diaspora representatives
• Workforce development experts
• Real estate and development professionals

• Curriculum Council: Academic and industry experts guiding program development
• Employer Council: Businesses hiring graduates, informing skill requirements
• African Partners Council: Representatives from partner nations
• Student Council: Current student voice in governance

• Executive Director: Overall leadership and external relations
• Academic Director: Curriculum, faculty, student services
• Business Operations Director: Student enterprises, revenue operations
• Development Director: Fundraising, partnerships, grants

• Jobs created in AfricanTown (direct and indirect)
• New businesses opened in district
• Property values / tax base growth
• Visitor traffic to district
• African trade volume through Detroit

• Dexter Arts & Culture Center: 12305 Dexter Ave, 28,618 sq ft
• Dexter Retail Pop-Up: 13200 Dexter Ave, 100% occupied since Spring 2024
• Partnership with Promise Land Realty for mixed-use development

IC Data Communications provides the foundation for the IT training track, offering:

• Established curriculum and certifications
• Industry connections for job placement
• Equipment and lab infrastructure
• Corporate training experience

Long-standing presence in the AfricanTown community. Relationships with neighborhood leadership, city officials, and development stakeholders. Understanding of local needs and opportunities that only comes from years of engagement.

• 18+ million square feet developed
• 120+ Walmart Supercenters
• Institutional, commercial, and residential projects
• Complex public-private partnerships

• 9 US Patents across multiple domains
• Structural engineering innovations
• Construction methodology patents
• FIRM SIP modular construction system

Ghana Medical City: $1.1 billion integrated development in Accra featuring:

• 500-bed teaching hospital
• Medical university
• 30,000-seat stadium
• Mixed-use commercial and residential

Active relationships with Ghanaian government, investors, and development community provide immediate credibility for African partnership discussions.

• Strategic planning and business model development
• Real estate development advisory
• Grant funding strategy and pursuit
• African partnership facilitation
• Systems integration across program components

The combination addresses every requirement:

• Local presence: IC Data's community relationships and facilities
• Development capability: NSG's track record in complex projects
• Africa expertise: NSG's Ghana relationships and market knowledge
• IT foundation: IC Data's training programs and industry connections
• Funding experience: NSG's grant writing and public-private structuring