Multi-Ethnic Business Association, d/b/a AHANA has announced that the non-profit organization has located to the University District to house its operations and small business services. The stand-alone building has been acquired through organization funds, private fundraising, and grant funds that allow for the acquisition of capital funds.
The building had the perfect layout for AHANA’s business services. Besides offices for staff, the building includes a training room and small business incubator offices. AHANA plans to host a building ribbon cutting later this year to accommodate the many stakeholders and supporters the organization intends to invite.
In April, key AHANA stakeholders and board members were invited to commission a section of the building as Peter Stanton Hall to honor the Executive Chairman of Washington Trust Bank for his unwavering support of AHANA’s mission to educate, advocate, assist, and develop growth opportunities for multi-ethnic and multicultural businesses and nonprofits in the Inland Northwest. Stanton Hall will be used to provide small business workshops and can be set up for community meetings, meet-and-greet receptions, and board meetings. The room will accommodate up to 20 people using tables and chairs in various configurations and can seat up to 40 people theater-style with chairs only.
At the event, Mr. Stanton said that he has been following AHANA since it was formed and that he is excited and looking forward to seeing how this building will move the important work that AHANA is doing for small businesses forward.
AHANA’s Vice President, Mike Spencer, provided a land acknowledgment at the beginning of the event followed by many who said a few words about what this building will do for Spokane’s BIPOC and underrepresented and underserved business communities. To show additional appreciation of this event, several underrepresented communities were invited to say thank you and present Mr. Stanton with tokens of appreciation from their cultures and that almost brought tears to his eyes, he commented privately. Mr. Stanton received a Kum Kum blessing, a red dot on the forehead, from Spokane’s South Asian Indian Community and a Quran from the Spokane Islamic Center. He also received a ceremonial staff from the Maasai community.
Jeff McMorris of Spokane County said that the ARPA grant that AHANA received for non-profit capacity-building would help the organization build its internal service capacity. He also learned the grant’s most updated description now allows AHANA to purchase capital investments and that the organization can apply a portion of the funds towards the purchase of the building.
The AHANA building is in the University District at 327 E. Pacific. Juliette Sinisterra, CEO of the University District, is thrilled to welcome AHANA to the UD as a business and property owner. “AHANA’s mission and work supporting underserved and underrepresented business start-ups is in direct alignment with our U Vision 2044 and our organizational values. The University District looks forward to future partnership with AHANA to help build a thriving and prosperous district for all.”
Speaking at the event, AHANA Board chair and attorney Francis Adewale stated, “This building is the first step in AHANA’s multi-layered plan to infuse the burgeoning Spokane U-District with a multicultural and international enterprise hub. We intend to highlight the immense contributions of diverse communities to the development of the Inland Northwest by building a multi-story international market center that celebrates diversity, unity, and inclusion in our region.”
Founded in 1998 by Ben Cabildo, AHANA was formed as a trusted organization to support and engage multi-ethnic business owners and working professionals when there was nothing for business owners and professionals of color. The founder is still actively involved in this latest chapter of AHANA history that is fulfilling his dream of the organization’s own expansion and success.
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