Meet Us

Abena Abraham, Co-founder

Abena (She/Her) is an immigrant justice and union organizer. Her family migrated to the US when she was a toddler. Moving to the US at a young age has impacted how she views the importance of community building. She is a Minnesotan of Ghanaian and Liberian descent; She swears by Ghanaian music and Liberian Jollof.

Denise Butler, Co-founder

Denise (She/Her) is a community leader who specializes in supporting small and microbusinesses to not only stay afloat, but to grow and develop. She currently serves as the Program Manager at the African Career, Education & Resource, Inc. (ACER). Where she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and oversees various projects. In addition to supporting her community through resources sharing; she volunteers as a member of many different coalitions and boards. Denise enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Alfreda Daniels, Co-founder

Alfreda (She/Her) is a refugee from Liberia. Prior to coming to the US, she lived in Ghana on the refugee camp. Alfreda attended St. Cloud State University where she studied Political Science, International Relations, and Human Relations.  She is currently a resident of Brooklyn Center and a community organizer with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (MRLF).  In her free time, Alfreda enjoys spending time at the gym, and enjoying nature with her family and friends.

Mustafa Jumale, Co-founder

Mustafa (He/Him) brings a wealth of incisive and exciting policy negotiation and  formulation experience in the areas of human and immigrant rights, women's health, education and childcare. These, along with his personal experiences as a Somali refugee raised in Minnesota, inform his deep and thoughtful engagement with the constituents and issues of the Black Immigrant Collective.  Mustafa is the Policy Manager for Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).  He also runs Khyre Solutions, his consulting and public policy firm. He loves spending time with friends, and jamming out at local concerts.

Nelima Sitati-Munene, Co-founder

Nelima (She/Her) is a community development professional and strategist working to advance racial, economic, and social justice in Minnesota. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the African Career Education & Resource, Inc. (ACER) – an issue based & policy advocacy organization working in the Twin Cities to advance equity especially within the African Immigrant community. She is an avid reader and writer who enjoys traveling and the outdoors. Her most important role in life is being a mother and wife.

Nekessa Opoti, Co-founder

Nekessa (She/Her) is a writer, communications’ strategist, and an immigrant justice organizer. Her work lives at the intersections of Blackness, identity, migration and queerness. She loves mangoes, eggplants and words.