Our History

The National Association for African American Economic Development (NAAAED), was initially incorporated in 1992 as the National Association for Afro American Economic Network Development. The change to its current name (NAAAED) occurred in April 2018, and has been registered with the IRS and the Louisiana Secretary of State.

The original Founder of NAAAED, Mr. Louis Harding, intent was to create a nonprofit, capacity building, training and networking organization with the purpose of utilizing available resources, while also engaging a network of community organizations, social service agencies, and businesses along community stakeholders in the rebuilding of distressed communities via, economic development and crime prevention initiatives.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, much of NAAAED's activities came to an halt. In February of 2017, Mr. Harding invited Mr. Ernest Johnson to join him as Deputy Director of NAAAED to develop significant programming activities for the organization. Programs such as, "Defeating the Odds Crime Prevention Program," as well as a mentoring program for children and young adults. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Harding participated in numerous functions on behalf of NAAAED to raise financial resources, identify corporate sponsors, and secure public support for NAAAED.

In August of 2017, Mr. Harding and Mr. Johnson met with Mr. Myron O Lee Sr., of Community Development Enterprises (CDE, INC.), to discuss a partnership to create a Community Bingo Hall, which could be used to raise capital to support the organization as well as economic development. Mr. Myron O Lee Sr. spawned the Community Revitalization Initiative (Community Bingo), and provided the financial resources to secure the physical space for the Bingo Hall. Mr. Lee and his Executive Assistant, Ms. Dorothy Mercadel, are the organizers of the Community Bingo. The proceeds from the Bingo Hall would be used to support staff expenses and operational initiatives intended to carry out the wishes of Mr. Harding, i.e., the (Marcus Garvey Resource Center, Defeating the Odds.)

In September of 2017, Mr. Lee and his Executive Assistant Ms. Dorothy Mercadel joined the executive staff of the NAAAED organization. As a consequence of this new union, a new organizational chart was prepared that reflected Mr. Lee and Mr. Johnson as the organization's Deputy Executive Directors, whose purpose is to continue the wishes of Mr. Harding.

"I want my organizational efforts to continue on after I am gone." ~Louis Harding~