African Diaspora Network first conceived of ABLE as an adaptation of Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF), an enterprise accelerator supporting grassroots African entrepreneurs.
At the African Diaspora Investment Symposium in January 2020, Silicon Valley Community Foundation expressed interest in an ADN program that could support U.S.-based Black entrepreneurs through a similar model. With seed funding from SVCF, ADN brought on partners at Bill to secure full funding for ABLE and garnered additional support from the California Black Freedom Fund, KLA Foundation, and the County of Santa Clara.
As we now work to deepen the support and guidance we provide to diaspora entrepreneurs in the U.S., we are excited to bring on a dedicated team member, Hatim Chraibi, as the lead ABLE facilitator. With over 25 years of experience in impact, innovation, and entrepreneurship, Hatim will bring together top-notch executives from Silicon Valley to provide training and support to the fifth cohort of ABLE.
As part of this move in-house, the ABLE program has also undergone a rebranding to encompass the variety of African diaspora ventures and entrepreneurs we serve. Since 2022, ABLE has supported 54+ impact-oriented entrepreneurs who have gone on to raise more capital or expand to new markets.
A special thank you to Bill, Makahakama Foundation, KLA Foundation, and the County of Santa Clara for providing the continuous support that makes our fifth cohort possible.
