Family,
The end of the year always has me deep in reflection — on everything we were able to accomplish this year as a team, all the projects we started working on, and all the future ones we have planned for the next year. And the year after that, and the year after that. Because this work doesn’t come together immediately. We have big plans to make real change, and real change takes time.
Even though this it’s been a year of growth, it has also been a year of many challenges. Our focus was set on putting everything together and next year we’re going to shift that to our Soko and Waka brands specifically. We’ve been building out a supply chain that keeps the money in the hands of the farmers we’re working with to import coffee, cacao, and passion fruit. There’s a lot that goes into it, but the work is so important.
In that spirit I also want to take a moment to highlight and thank our incredible and dedicated staff, because without them we would be nothing. Especially in this economy, let me tell you friends, running a restaurant is not for the faint of heart. So to our incredible team: THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank you! Our friends, our family, our customers, and everyone who has donated to the Freedom House Kitchen project. As many of you know, the project itself became much bigger than just the kitchen for Freedom House. In fact, we’ve been working very closely with their team this past month, making sure the entire building renovation is progressing. And I am so pleased to share that we reached another milestone for them! The kitchen project was awarded a $30,000 grant from Forgotten Harvest! This is more work we’re doing behind the scenes, but to be able to share this progress and news with you is truly a blessing.
I also want to let you know that 2025 will be a big year for all of our brands. You’ve likely read the articles that hint at our new locations in Eastern Market and on East Warren. We’re so excited to bring those to life, but they take more time than most of us can imagine. Navigating real estate development is not something that Nadia and I have experience in. We’ve learned a lot, and we’re still learning. We’re still new to this country, and nobody in our families has ever done this before. We’re relying a lot on the expertise of friends and community members, and the trickiest part we’ve found is navigating the bureaucracy of it all. So, updates and everything are coming in the new year, but thank you so much for your patience as we work to build out these brands and spaces!
Many of you have asked me about Waka in Eastern Market and what that means for the future of the food truck. Don’t worry, the food truck will still be around even after we open the brick-and-mortar. We just posted up at Noel Night last week, which will be our last event of the season, but will be back at our favorite stadium serving chapati as we cheer on DCFC in the spring!
In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the warmth of our home, our restaurant, our team, our family, our friends, and our community. Hold those you love tight. On behalf of Nadia and the girls and our entire Baobab family, we wish you a very happy holiday season.
❤️
Mamba
Warmth. Connection. Impact.
From Burundi to Detroit
Your support of Soko by Baobab Fare bridges continents and cultures, celebrating our East African heritage and shared commitment to fairness, sustainability, and care.
Every dollar you spend nurtures Detroit’s vibrant local economy—uplifting our coffee roasters, chocolate makers, and partners—while empowering the growers and craftspeople in Mamba and Nadia’s homeland of Burundi and throughout East Africa.
Together, we’re creating connections that make a meaningful difference.
