AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

1245 18TH AVE S, ST PETERSBURG, FL 33705-2549

In care of

% ONA ZENE YESHITELA

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

ONA ZENE YESHITELA, 1245 18TH AVE S, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL 33705

Signed the 990

ONA ZENE YESHITELA, PRESIDENT

Phone

(727) 821-2437

Website

APEDF.ORG

Return prepared by

Mark E Koller CPA PC

Mission

DEVELOP AND INSTITUTIONALIZE PROGRAMS TO DEFEND THE HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY, AND TO ADDRESS THE GRAVE DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, HEALTHCARE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACED BY AFRICAN PEOPLE.

Program accomplishments

• COMMUNITY AND HOUSING PROGRAMS: APEDF OPERATES UHURU FREEDOM HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTERS ALONG WITH PROGRAMS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CULTURAL FULFILLMENT IN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS OF ST. PETERSBURG, FL, ST. LOUIS, MO, OAKLAND, CA AND PHILADELPHIA, PA. OUR WORK IMPROVES THE LIVES AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF BLACK PEOPLE BY BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THAT ENGAGE IN GRASS-ROOTS DECISION MAKING, PROMOTE COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP AND ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN COLLECTIVE SOLUTIONS. APEDFS PROGRAMMING IS A TEMPLATE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND INTENDED TO BE REPLICATED NATIONWIDE. IN 2025, APEDFS KEYSTONE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND ANTI-GENTRIFICATION PROGRAM, THE BLACK POWER BLUEPRINT OF ST. LOUIS, CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS OF ST. LOUIS, A 98% BLACK COMMUNITY WHERE 60% OF RESIDENTS LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE AND ONE THIRD LIVE IN DEEP POVERTY. ST. LOUIS RANKS EIGHTH IN THE NATION FOR RACIAL DISPARITIES IN POVERTY. THE BLACK POWER BLUEPRINT HAS BUILT A SERIES OF INTERCONNECTED COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AND SPACES. ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT HAS INSPIRED AND ENABLED CURRENT AND PREVIOUS RESIDENTS TO STAY OR MOVE BACK TO THE HISTORICALLY BLACK NORTHSIDE, REVERSING THE TREND WHERE ST. LOUIS HAS THE 8TH MOST SEVERE POPULATION DECREASE AMONG MAJOR CITIES IN THE LAST DECADE. OUR ST. LOUIS BLACK POWER VANGUARDS COMMUNITY BASKETBALL COURT, PREVIOUSLY THE SITE OF A CONDEMNED BUILDING, CONTINUES TO PROVIDE RECREATION, FITNESS AND YOUTH PROGRAMING TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, TEAMWORK, SOCIAL SKILLS AND COMMUNITY COHESION FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS. WE HELD OUR 6TH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS CHILDRENS HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL IN 2025 TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES AND PROVIDE A SAFE CELEBRATION SPACE FOR CHILDREN. IN 2025, THE APEDFS BLACK POWER BLUEPRINT COMPLETED TWO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTALS FOR NORTHSIDE RESIDENTS OF ST. LOUIS AND BEGAN RENOVATION ON A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR RETAIL SALES. THIS CONTINUES OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT IN A CITY WITH AN ESTIMATED 25,000 VACANT HOMES, WHERE ONE IN EVERY THREE IN NORTH ST. LOUIS IS ABANDONED DUE TO DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING POLICIES, SUBURBAN FLIGHT AND INDUSTRIAL COLLAPSE. AFTER AN EF3 TORNADO DESTROYED THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND DEVASTATED AREAS OF NORTH ST. LOUIS ON 5/18/25, APEDF QUICKLY ENGAGED OUR N2U VOLUNTEER BRIGADE, HOSTING 35 VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS IN 24 WEEKS. WE RECRUITED AND COORDINATED OVER 450 VOLUNTEERS WHO PREPARED MEALS. THEY SOLICITED, RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED EMERGENCY FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO RESIDENTS, PROVIDED AN ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION, AND CLEARED OVER 2,000 POUNDS OF BRICK DEBRIS, 6,000 POUNDS OF ROOF DEBRIS AND 300,000 POUNDS OF TREE DEBRIS. APEDF PROVIDED TORNADO RECOVERY INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR HOME REPAIRS, POWER RESTORATION AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT. APEDF REPRESENTATIVES ALSO ATTENDED NINE PUBLIC MEETINGS ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC FUNDS TO SUPPORT DISASTER RELIEF AND THE OVERALL REVITALIZATION OF NORTH ST. LOUIS. IN TOTAL, APEDFS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ENGAGED MORE THAN 700 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN NORTH ST. LOUIS. THESE INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN MORE THAN 50 COMMUNITY WORKDAYS ASSISTING WITH GARDENING, GRANT WRITING, FOOD SERVICE, EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, PROGRAM PROMOTIONS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, RESEARCH AND LOGISTICS. APEDFS VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS PROVIDED 3 PARTICIPANTS WITH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING IN LEADERSHIP AND BUILDING SOFT SKILLS. IN DECEMBER 2025 APEDF HOSTED OUR 4TH ANNUAL N2U HEART AND SOUL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NATIONAL EVENT, RECOGNIZING 56 AWARD NOMINEES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THE N2U VOLUNTEER BRIGADE OFFERS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THE DISPARITIES FACED BY THE BLACK COMMUNITY. VOUNTEERS BRING THEIR RESOURCES AND SKILLS TO PARTICIPATE IN MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD A POSITIVE FUTURE WHERE NORTH ST. LOUIS HAS SUSTAINABLE SELF-DETERMINATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL VIBRANCY. THEY REPORT THAT THEY ARE CHANGED IN PROFOUND WAYS, GAINING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CITY AND FEELINGS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT AND HOPEFULNES. HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS: APEDF SHOWS OUR COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY WITH PROJECTS AIMED AT ALLEVIATING CONCENTRATED POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY AND GRAVE HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE. IN 2025, FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW, APEDFS ST. LOUIS BASED GARY BROOKS COMMUNITY GARDEN DISTRIBUTED OVER 1,000 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO THE COMMUNITY AT NO COST. SCORES OF VOLUNTEER GARDENERS CULTIVATED THE PRODUCE THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON. IN THE NORTH ST LOUIS AREA, THE POPULATION IS 94% BLACK AND 30% OF RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY. APEDF PROGRAMS PROVIDE A LIFELINE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SUPPLYING FOOD FROM THE GARDEN AND THE APEDF-SPONSORED MONTHLY NORTH ST. LOUIS FARMERS MARKET (HELD SINCE 2020). THE MARKET PARTNERS WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN BLACK FARMERS AND GROWERS WHO SELL LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AND OTHER FRESH FOODS AND CONDUCT WORKSHOPS ON HEALTHY EATING. IN ADDITION, GARDENING WORKSHOPS HELP TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOME GARDENS ON THE NORTHSIDE OF ST. LOUIS. APEDF HAS NOW LAUNCHED THE SHAMBA LA UHURU FREEDOM FARM ON ONE-THIRD ACRE OF NEWLY PURCHASED LAND. USDA URBAN AGRICULTURE INNOVATION PROGRAM FUNDING WILL ENABLE US TO DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS FOOD PRODUCTION. CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN 2025 BASED ON A PROFESSIONAL FOOD-SCAPING DESIGN. CONTINUING CONSTRUCTION IN 2026 INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF 24 GARDEN BEDS, AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM, ELECTRICITY, A STORAGE STRUCTURE AND A BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCEWAY AND FENCE. AS PART OF ERADICATING FOOD INSECURITY IN NORTH ST. LOUIS, THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES A PERMANENT ROADSIDE FARM STAND TO DISTRIBUTE PRODUCE, OFFERING INCOME OPPORTUNITIES TO FOOD GROWERS AND PRODUCERS, AND POTENTIAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES. IN PHILADELPHIA, APEDF HELD ITS 17TH ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR, REACHING HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH WELL-BEING AND FITNESS WORKSHOPS ALONG WITH INFORMATION ON NUTRITION, EXERCISE, AND HEALTHCARE. THE APEDF COMMUNITY BASKETBALL COURT IN ST. LOUIS IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN MISSOURI 23% OF BLACK TEENAGERS ARE NOT PHYSICALLY ACTIVE FOR MORE THAN 60 MINUTES A DAY, IN COMPARISON TO 8.2% OF WHITE TEENAGERS. LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DIRECTLY CORRELATES TO HIGH RATES OF HEART DISEASE, ASTHMA, DIABETES AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES. RECREATION RESOURCES, SUCH AS THE BASKETBALL COURT, CAN HELP ALLEVIATE THE ALARMING RATE OF HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT BLACK PEOPLE. APEDF CONTINUED RAISING CAPITAL TO BUILD THE UHURU WA KULEA FREEDOM TO NURTURE MATERNAL HEALTH CENTER AND BIRTH DOULA PROJECT IN ST. LOUIS.
  Expenses $337,868 · revenue $57,710
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: APEDF CONTINUES TO OPERATE BLACK COMMUNITY-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND ADVOCATE FOR CAPITAL INFUSIONS TO SUPPORT SELF-SUSTAINING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND POWER. IN ST. PETERSBURG, APEDF PROVIDES AN AFFORDABLE, LICENSED COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL KITCHEN WHERE MORE THAN 15 CATERERS, FOOD VENDORS, COOKS AND ENTREPRENEURS OPERATE FOOD-RELATED BUSINESSES AS SELF-SUSTAINING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. APEDF CONTINUES TO OPERATE COMMUNITY-BASED MARKETPLACES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 6TH SEASON IN ST. LOUIS, AND FOR THE 19TH SEASON IN PHILADELPHIA. THESE MARKETPLACES GENERATE COMMUNITY COMMERCE AND ADDRESS FOOD APARTHEID AND FOOD INSECURITY. IN 2025, THE MARKETS PROVIDED LOW-COST VENDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVER 120 ENTREPRENEURS IN PHILADELPHIA AND 40 URBAN FARMERS AND ENTREPRENEURS IN ST. LOUIS, RECIRCULATING MONEY AND SOCIAL CAPITAL WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. THE MARKETPLACES OFFER CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, FITNESS CLASSES, CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHOPS ON GARDENING, COOKING AND NUTRITION. TO SUPPORT PEOPLE RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE AFTER INCARCERATION, APEDF CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THE AFRICAN INDEPENDENCE WORKFORCE PROGRAM (AIWP) UNDER THE BANNER OUR LABOR, OUR FUTURE. MISSOURIS PRISONS AND JAILS RELEASE APPROXIMATELY 100,000 BLACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS ANNUALLY. MANY OF THEM RETURN TO NORTH ST. LOUIS, A COMMUNITY THAT LACKS ADEQUATE REENTRY INFRASTRUCTURE. THE AIWP SEEKS TO REVERSE THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PRISON SYSTEM AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING TO JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. APEDF MAINTAINS AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN ST. LOUIS TO HOUSE WORKFORCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. IN 2025, APEDF CERTIFIED TWO AIWP LEADERS AS REENTRY SPECIALISTS AND ATTENDED THE NATIONALREENTRY WORKFORCE COLLABORATIVE CONFERENCE. WE CONTINUED FUNDING EFFORTS THROUGH ATTENDING WEBINARS AND FILING GRANT APPLICATIONS. WE BEGAN ROOF, DISPLAY WINDOW AND INTERIOR RENOVATION OF A BUILDING FOR A TRAINING CENTER AND RETAIL SPACE TO SELL AFRICAN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS CREATED BY THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND LOCAL ARTISTS. APEDF CONTINUES ITS LONG HISTORY OF RECRUITING, HIRING AND TRAINING FORMERLY INCARCERATED AFRICAN MEN AND WOMEN. ALSO IN ST. LOUIS, APEDF COMPLETELY RENOVATED A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR THE HOME OF UHURU (FREEDOM) BAKERY AND CAFE, WHICH BEGAN OPERATIONS IN OCTOBER 2025. THE CAFE IS PART OF THE APEDFS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT TEACHES CULINARY ARTS TO JUSTICE-IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND WILL USE FRESH PRODUCE GROWN IN THE BLACK POWER BLUEPRINTS URBAN FARM. THIS CAFE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LARGER UHURU CAFE RESTAURANT AND FOOD PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION FACILITY WHERE RE-ENTRY AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE ON AN EVEN LARGER SCALE. TO ADVANCE BLACK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN PUBLIC POLICY, WE ENGAGE RESIDENTS AND PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL FORUMS, TOWN HALLS AND PUBLIC EVENTS. WE CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH DOOR-TO-DOOR OUTREACH, MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS AND WEEKLY SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, CONTINUING TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE NEED FOR REBUILDING INTERGENERATIONAL BLACK WEALTH AND PROSPERITY.
  Expenses $62,383
• MEDIA AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES: IN PHILADELPHIA, APEDF HELD ITS 12TH ANNUAL BOOK FAIR IN SEPTEMBER 2025 AT THE PHILADELPHIA MARKETPLACE PROMOTING BLACK AUTHORS AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSELLERS. THE BOOK FAIR FEATURED EDUCATION RESOURCE PROVIDERS, POETRY READINGS, SPOKEN WORD, STORYTELLING AND LITERACY ACTIVITIES. INST. PETERSBURG, APEDF OPERATES A LOW-POWER NONCOMMERCIAL FM COMMUNITY RADIO STATION THAT REACHES MORE THAN 100,000 RESIDENTS BY BROADCAST AND MORE BY INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONE APP. IN THIS AREA, 70% OF BLACK FAMILIES LIVE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL. PROGRAMMING IS FOCUSED ON BLACK COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH THEIR OWN VOICE FOR NEWS, INFORMATION AND CULTURE. PROVIDING PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION AND WEATHER EMERGENCY INFORMATION ARE CRITICAL ROLES OF THE STATION. WITH 90% OF ALL MEDIA CONTROLLED BY A HANDFUL OF LARGE CORPORATIONS, THIS STATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE AIRWAVES FOR UNSIGNED LOCAL MUSICAL TALENT AND BLACK ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. APEDF ALSO PROVIDES FREE BROADCAST AND JOURNALISM TRAINING FOR ST. PETERSBURG COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STUDENTS, MANY OF WHOM GO ON TO PRODUCE LIVE PROGRAMMING AT THE STATION. APEDF PROMOTES LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ON AIR TO BUILD BLACK COMMUNITY ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND ENGAGEMENT. IN ST. LOUIS, RENOVATIONS BEGAN IN 2025 TO PREPARE A BUILDING TO HOUSE APEDFS SECOND MEDIA CENTER AND RADIO STATION.
  Expenses $37,162 · revenue $37,519

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

59-3252727

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1995

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Civil rights, social action and advocacy (R20)

Assets (IRS master file)

$2,478,158

Income (IRS master file)

$438,283

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 59-3252727).

Questions about AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC

What is the EIN of AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC is 59-3252727.

Is AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1995.

Are donations to AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.

Who is the principal officer of AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names ONA ZENE YESHITELA.

Who are the officers and directors of AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 3 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $14,300 (ONA ZENE YESHITELA, PRESIDENT).

How much revenue does AFRICAN PEOPLES EDUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND INC have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $381,923, expenses of $556,690 and total assets of $2,478,158 at year end.

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