Washington’s Prosperity Campaign Showcases Black Immigrant Contributions for Black Business Month
A city-wide initiative by the Nigerian Center celebrates the economic and civic power of immigrant entrepreneurs across the Washington, DC metro area
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2025
Contact:
Tirrea Billings
Digital Storyteller
Nigerian Center
tirrea@nigeriancenter.org
Washington, DC — The Nigerian Center announced the launch of its Washington’s Prosperity Campaign, a groundbreaking initiative that highlights the vital economic and civic contributions of immigrants to the nation’s capital. The narrative shift campaign counters divisive immigration rhetoric by demonstrating how immigrants serve as engines of prosperity, driving innovation, job creation, and community development across the Washington metropolitan area.
Launching during Black Business Month creates a powerful connection between celebrating African American entrepreneurship and recognizing the economic contributions of African immigrants. This timing links the stories of the African diaspora in DC, from descendants of those forcibly brought centuries ago to today’s voluntary immigrants. The campaign illustrates how immigrant entrepreneurship continues the legacy of Black business ownership in Washington, showing that prosperity crosses generations and continents.
According to the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, immigrants power a vibrant DC economy. The Nigerian American community exemplifies this, contributing billions of dollars to the regional economy through entrepreneurship and leadership in high-demand sectors, including healthcare, technology, education, and finance. From founding innovative startups to heading major corporations, Nigerian Americans show how immigrant talent creates competitive advantages that benefit all residents of the DC area.
“Washington’s Prosperity is a call to return to our enduring values, particularly the value of prosperity, and to recognize the indispensable role immigrants play as agents of that prosperity. Throughout this campaign, you will see the faces of Washington’s prosperity: our city’s realtors, restaurateurs, financial advisors, cultural architects, and much more. This campaign is a public reminder that immigrants are not only part of Washington’s story, they are writing it.”
Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center
“African Ancestry is proud to partner with the Nigerian Center on this campaign. It's not only a professional honor but also personal, due to African Ancestry’s work in reconnecting the forced immigrants from Africa with DC’s immigrant community. As a DC native who has been riding the Metro since I was six years old, it feels especially meaningful and full circle. We are pioneers in genetic ancestry testing for Black people worldwide. I’m proud to share that, maternally, I have roots with the Fulani people in Nigeria, which makes the connection with the Nigerian Center even more meaningful.”
Dr. Gina Page, Co-founder & President, African Ancestry, Inc.
“We wanted to showcase something in Washington, DC that highlights the greatness of our roots. I’ve been in the business for twenty-six years, and there’s no better place to do it than Washington, DC, just four minutes from the White House. If you look at our menu, it’s very diverse. Even though we’re all Nigerian, we focus on delivering the full experience of bringing Africa to the world. When you walk into our establishment, you won't feel like you’re just stepping into Nigeria, but rather into the entire continent right in the middle of Washington, DC.”
Tony Ijaodola, Owner, The Continent DC
“I’m the first African immigrant to open a winery in the entire U.S. This was a childhood dream of mine. In the U.S., we have over 11,000 wineries, but less than one percent are owned by minorities. There’s a huge discrepancy. Starting this business is one of those things that makes you wake up every morning with a smile. I tell everyone: If I can do it, you can do it too. That’s the power of the wine industry and agriculture. This industry needs us. There is a profession in agriculture and winemaking.
Ifeoma C. Onyia, Owner, Cleopatra Winery & Vineyard
“I was born in the United States but raised in Nigeria for eighteen years before returning to the States. Once I returned, I got into real estate. From the minute I decided I wanted to do this, it took me seven years to buy my first property. The reason is that I had no mentor. There was nobody there to guide me. So, I decided to start educating people about real estate. I host different homebuying seminars every month. I spend a lot of my time educating the community about real estate through social media and seminars. I’m really proud to be here today. America has truly helped me in helping and educating my people.”
Eze Okwodu, Realtor, Samson Properties
“I’m so deeply honored to be part of this initiative. I’m not here only as a CEO or financial advisor. I’m here as a proud immigrant. I’m a product of this very ecosystem that has provided opportunities just like this. Thank you to the Nigerian Center for leading this initiative and creating this very space where we can tell our stories. If we don’t tell our stories, someone will tell them in a way that doesn’t truly reflect who we are. Thank you to the Nigerian Center for not sidelining who we are, but instead putting a spotlight on us as a people.”
Ayomide Ibrahim, CEO, FinServe Pro
Key Campaign Highlights:
Features five Nigerian American entrepreneurs driving local economic growth
Now live across DC metro stations, buses, and trains
Reframes harmful narratives by highlighting immigrants as builders of thriving communities and shapers of Washington’s economic and moral compass
The initiative comes at a crucial time as policymakers and community leaders seek evidence-based strategies in immigration reform. By illustrating the real economic impact and leadership of immigrants, the campaign reframes immigration as a path to shared prosperity.
How to Get Involved:
Support immigrant-owned businesses in your community.
Donate to an organization serving immigrant families.
Contact your elected officials to support policies that protect immigrants and their rights.
The Washington’s Prosperity narrative-shift campaign is endorsed by the National Partnership for New Americans, the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, Ayuda, African Communities Together, and AsylumWorks.
To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.nigeriancenter.org/prosperity
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About the Nigerian Center
The Nigerian Center promotes financial inclusion, immigrant justice, and cultural advancement for immigrants from Black-majority countries. We educate, empower, and support immigrant families in making the United States their new home through policy advocacy, cultural programs, legal aid, financial services, entrepreneurship, and homeownership opportunities.