The GABA Foundation | An African Research Institute

An African Research Institute.

Research that moves our community forward. We produce the data, policy analysis, and community research that drive economic power for the diaspora across Michigan, and we turn what we learn into legal access, business growth, and civic participation.

Get Help Now → Partner With Us
Founded 2014 in Inkster Based in Livonia, Michigan 12 counties served 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Our Model

Research first. Then we move.

Black immigrants, refugees, and the wider diaspora are among the fastest-growing communities in America, and among the least studied in Michigan. We fill that gap with evidence, then act on it.

Every program we run starts with a question our community needs answered, and every finding shapes where we show up next.

01
ResearchCommunity data on who our families are, what they need, and what's holding them back.
02
PolicyTracking legislation across our eight priorities so our community's voice shapes every decision.
03
ProgramsLegal navigation, business support, and civic engagement, built where the data says help is needed.

What We Do

Four ways we show up.

GABA Access

Immigration Navigation

Free help understanding the immigration process, organizing documents, and completing forms, with referrals to partner attorneys when you need legal advice.

Book an Appointment → GABAWorks

Business Growth

Hands-on support for revenue-generating businesses across Michigan. Most programs end when the workshop ends. GABAWorks ends when your business grows.

Apply to GABAWorks → GABAGives

Democracy & Civic Engagement

Phone banks, service days, and community events that build civic participation across the diaspora, year-round.

Volunteer With Us → The Legacy Agenda

Policy & Legislation

Our legislative tracker translates what's happening in Lansing and beyond into actionable intelligence for the diaspora.

View the Tracker →

By the Numbers

A growing community the data overlooks.

5.6M
Black immigrantsin the U.S., more than double 2000
11.4%
Of Black Americais foreign-born
57.7%
Of Michigan's growthover the past decade came from immigrants
1.3%
Of pro-immigrant fundingreaches Black migrant groups

Sources: Pew Research Center (2026); American Immigration Council (2024); National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (2022). Full citations on our research page.

See the Research →

Our Priorities

Eight priorities. One community.

Helping a family get stable and stay stable is never just one thing. We work, and track legislation, across all eight.

Clean Energy & Jobs Workforce Economic Development Financial Inclusion Education Housing Health Public Safety

Need Help Now?

Paperwork shouldn't stand between you and your future.

GABA Access offers free help understanding the immigration process, organizing documents, and completing forms. When you need legal advice, we refer you to a partner attorney.

Book an Appointment →

Or call 248.919.9764

Find Your Way In

However you show up, there's a place for you.

Get helpBook a free GABA Access appointment for immigration paperwork.Book now → Grow your businessApply for GABAWorks business support.Apply → VolunteerJoin a phone bank, service day, or community event with GABAGives.See opportunities → Partner or fundBecome a Social Impact Partner and invest in the research.Learn more →

Build With Us

Our community deserves more than survival.

Fund the research, join the work, or bring your organization to the table. Every partnership helps a family get stable and stay stable.

Partner With Us → Volunteer