GABA Foundation
Oct. 27, 2025
The GABA Foundation presented a $1,500 workforce access grant to the African Bureau of Immigration and Social Affairs (ABISA) during the second annual Blvck Migrant Convening held at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan.
The grant supports The GABA Access Initiative, a statewide program focused on connecting African, Caribbean, and immigrant residents in Michigan to the workforce systems and opportunities that drive the state’s economy. Through community-based partnerships, mobile Access Clinics, and in-office consultations, the initiative helps job seekers overcome administrative and logistical barriers that often delay workforce participation.
“When people have the right tools and resources to enter the workforce, everyone benefits, such as families, employers, and the broader economy,” said Rhonna-Rose Akama-Makia, President of The GABA Foundation. “This is about strengthening Michigan’s labor force and ensuring that capable workers from every community can contribute to our state’s growth.”
The GABA Foundation’s investment in ABISA reflects its broader strategy to build workforce infrastructure—not through awareness campaigns, but through direct action that links community readiness with employer demand. By helping individuals secure the credentials, resources, and support systems they need to work, The GABA Foundation is strengthening local labor pipelines and helping Michigan businesses meet their staffing and productivity needs.
The check presentation was made by O. Rerhi Onomake and Akindele Akinyemi, Co-founders of the Global African Business Association; Rhonna-Rose Akama-Makia, President of The GABA Foundation; and Dr. Elizabeth Ajayi-Bridges, Board member of The GABA Foundation.
“This particpation with ABISA underscores our belief that workforce development begins with access,” said Akama-Makia. “By removing unnecessary barriers, we’re helping communities move from the margins of the economy into meaningful participation—something that benefits the state as a whole.”