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Washington is home to a higher proportion of African immigrants than any major U.S. city. While the stands at 13%, the District鈥檚 population is 17%.

Black women around the DMV area take up leadership mantles in various fields. In areas ranging from global fashion to aspirations in film and immigration advocacy, their entrepreneurial methods guide the way for African communities toward a more accessible future.

Made in Africa

Nestled around Adams Morgan and its surrounding corridors, businesses like , a clothing company with products made exclusively in Africa, are a reflection of many African-owned, award-winning businesses.

Born in Ethiopia and adopted by a U.S. family, Abai Schulze, owner of ZAAF, would visit her home country during the summers, she . While in Ethiopia as an intern for United States Agency for International Development, a government agency facilitating civilian based foreign assistance, Schulze worked with local businesses to target a global audience.

Schulze realized European clothing brands were capitalizing on Ethiopia鈥檚 leather industry and decided to act on it.聽

鈥淚 wanted to tap into that,鈥� Schulze said. 鈥淲hy not make it at home, by our own people, add value to it, export it, and market and rebrand Ethiopia.鈥�

Shortly after establishing ZAAF, Schulze received international recognition with a , having ZAAF participate in a New York Fashion Week show and showcasing ZAAF products globally from Nairobi to France.

Attended the “2019 African Diaspora Network Impact & Innovation Speaker Series” in Washington DC today. And I got to meet the Founder of ADN,

鈥� ZAAF庐 (@ZAAF_COLLECTION)

Issued by the multinational financial corporation American Express, the highlighted both triumphs and challenges in black communities.聽

From 2007 to 2018, businesses owned by black women skyrocketed with a 164% growth rate and 2.4 million companies total. Black women own triple the amount of women as a whole, all the while being the only race that surpasses male ownership.聽

Although the successes remain notable, black womens鈥� average revenue exponentially dropped to almost $67,000 while 鈥渘on-minority women,鈥� the report states, saw an average revenue rise from $181,000 to $212,300.

Film & Identity

Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola, a longtime resident of the DMV area and first generation Nigerian-American, has her sights set on the film industry said 鈥渢he biggest challenge鈥� is a 鈥渓ack of diversity in my industry.鈥澛�

A published by the Mayor鈥檚 Office of African Affairs notes that 17% of the District鈥檚 immigrant population is African-born, accounting for approximately 16,000 people. The population often identifies as being part of an African diaspora.聽

A explains the diaspora as people with roots in 46 out of 54 countries in Africa with historic displacement. In the past, the definition would encompass countries that suffered the trans-Atlantic slave trade.聽

However, in contemporary terms, concerning countries like Ethiopia or Nigeria, the definition moves away from historically enslaved parts of Africa. Rather, the modern day definition revolves around displacement caused by previously colonized or economically struggling nations.

Taiwo-Makanjuola鈥檚 aspirations for the film industry focus on greater representation of people with the same identity.

鈥�Although efforts have been made during the past few years, there is still more work to be done,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t can be discouraging when you don鈥檛 see faces that look like yours in spaces that you one day hope to fill.鈥�

The University of Maryland graduate said 鈥渕y advice to young black women would be to find yourself and know who you are as soon as possible.鈥�

She also pointed to the outside pressures on her identity, saying 鈥減eople will try to mold or shape you into who they want you to be.鈥澛�

Commenting on what 鈥渘eeds more media coverage鈥� on 鈥淎frican and Carribean communities,鈥� Taiwo-Makanjuola said 鈥渕ental health鈥� is one major topic.聽

鈥淲e are all black but many of us are immigrants,鈥� she said, highlighting a disregarded subgroup of African-Americans.

鈥淎s immigrants, many of us had parents who constantly made sacrifices in order for their children to be safe, healthy and most importantly happy,鈥� Taiwo-Makanjuola said. 鈥淭herefore, I think it is important that we use the opportunities our parents paved for us to create a happy life worth living.鈥澛�

鈥淚 hope to positively inspire people within my community, specifically young people,鈥� Taiwo-Makanjuola said. 鈥淚 am very big on following your dreams and breaking norms especially if it will grant you your happiness.鈥�

Advocacy

For Joella Roberts, an immigration advocate and student at the University of the District of Columbia, finding herself revolves greatly around education. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Roberts is also a Dreamer 鈥� a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient.

Living with the challenge of being undocumented, Roberts said she believes education is the way to success. Roberts keeps true to her identity by being active in her community.聽

鈥淎t school, I found my people,鈥� she said, explaining how her predominantly black university empowered her toward a path of advocacy. Roberts was one of the organizers of the first undocumented rally at a historically black college or university.聽

When it comes to African diaspora voices in the U.S., Abel Nunez, executive director of an immigration advocacy organization called CARECEN, said one of the challenges 鈥渋s not having sophisticated African advocacy groups like Latinos do.鈥澛�

Nunez also added that media coverage 鈥渇ocuses mostly on Latino voices when it comes to immigrant issues.鈥澛�

When asked about the importance of acknowledging mental health, specifically for undocumented black immigrants, Roberts said 鈥渕y mind is in shambles.鈥澛�

Shortly after receiving her Dreamer status in 2015, Roberts began to advocate for the cause despite 鈥渉aving a hard time navigating through it,鈥� she said.聽

However, she continued her advocacy for education and access to scholarships for Dreamers, adding that 鈥渢here鈥檚 privilege in the margins鈥� in her story.聽

Roberts was recently assigned as the student member on her university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, where she voices the struggles of black immigrant in her community.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e an advocate but who you鈥檙e advocating for doesn鈥檛 listen, you need to make sure your movement is well fought for,鈥� she said.