Today we’d like to introduce you to Ibrahim Demmaj.
Hi Ibrahim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Abe Demmaj, and I’m a community developer, entrepreneur, and the Founder of Grass Roots Developers. After the civil unrest and COVID-19 deeply affected the Lake Street Corridor, I made it my mission to help revitalize this community, not through outside control, but by investing in the people who call it home.
I started with a furniture business that survived both the unrest and the pandemic. From there, I focused on creating spaces where others could rebuild too, like the Abyssinia Cultural Center, which has become a safe, welcoming place for small businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow.
One of our biggest accomplishments so far is the Unity Project at 4th and Lake, a multi-use building that brings together commercial spaces, a community clinic, and opportunities for local ownership.
Everything I do is grounded in a belief in community control, self-reliance, and unity. I’m here to help build infrastructure that doesn’t just serve the community but is owned and driven by it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. The road has had plenty of bumps, but those challenges are what shaped the mission behind everything I do.
After the civil unrest and the pandemic hit, many businesses—including my own—were barely staying afloat. Buildings were damaged, community trust was shaken, and resources were limited. Rebuilding during that time, while staying focused on local ownership and resisting gentrification, was incredibly tough.
We faced financial setbacks, resistance from developers who didn’t share our values, and moments when it felt like everything was stacked against us. But all of that only made it clearer that the community needed spaces created for them, by them. Not quick fixes or projects driven by outsiders.
One of the hardest parts was trying to navigate a system that we were also trying to change. Securing funding, building trust with institutions, and making sure we were creating real jobs for people in the neighborhood—it all took time, patience, and a lot of persistence.
But now, seeing businesses grow, neighbors come together, and people staying rooted in the community, it’s clear that every challenge was worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Grass Roots Developers, we’re focused on building up our community in a way that’s lasting, inclusive, and locally driven. We’re a Minneapolis-based real estate development company working to revitalize neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment—especially after the civil unrest and pandemic.
What sets us apart is our deep belief in community ownership. We work directly with local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and residents to make sure the spaces we create reflect their needs, cultures, and dreams. This isn’t just about development—it’s about empowerment.
I’m especially proud of projects like the Abyssinia Cultural Center, which serves as a business incubator and community hub, and the Unity Building, a space where BIPOC businesses come together under one roof to grow and thrive.
Our mission is simple: we’re not just building structures. We’re building opportunity, stability, and pride—right where it’s needed most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grassrootsdevelopers.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-demmaj/
