Before I even stepped inside La Boulangerie Marguerite, I could feel its history. The navy shade, the timeless lettering, the small patio tables, and the way the bakery sits on the corner all signaled a place woven into the neighborhood long before I arrived. Even from the sidewalk, I could tell this was more than a business. It was a landmark — a place that had shaped memories for generations. Inside, I met François Kiemde, the owner. Warm, humble, and steady, he carries a s

At African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), we believe that progress begins with people. Building Hope  is a space to share stories from entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders who have partnered with AEDS to strengthen their businesses and neighborhoods. Each story represents the resilience, creativity, and determination that drive our work. Through the AEDS Loan Fund, we provide access to capital and business training that help entrepreneurs grow, create jobs, a

Building Hope Blog | AEDS Spotlight Story I want you to picture something. It’s a Saturday afternoon. You step into a small grocery and deli, and before you can even take in the room, you smell the coffee. Rich, familiar, comforting. Someone is roasting fresh beans, and the aroma reaches you first, almost like an invitation. In the back, a few people are gathered around. A woman pours coffee from a jebena, the clay pot used in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The cups

A small loan. A steady path. A ripple of community impact. When Abdulaziz Kenfelcha arrived in the United States in 2009 with his wife and two children, he stepped into a new chapter filled with hope and uncertainty. He had come through the Diversity Visa lottery, grateful for the opportunity and determined to build a stable future for his family. Like many new immigrants, he entered a world where every system was unfamiliar and success depended on starting over from the begi