After establishing political and economic bases around the Windy City, African immigrants are trying to do the same on 79th Street.

“We see this as an anchor around which we can see other community development aspects flourishing and, over time, use it to create our resources and, hopefully, our political power, just like in other communities,” Alie Kabba, director of the United African Organization, told Antonia Olivo of the Chicago Tribune.

“Where others see blight, we see a future, a bright future,” said Kabba, whose organization plans to open an African community center.

The African population in Chicago has quadrupled to about 42,300 since 1990. Census data indicates that it is fifth behind Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York and Washington.

See “African immigrants hope for a Chicago community of their own,”  for more details.