Up Start program Supports Taste of Africa restaurant on Syracuse’s Northside

Taste of Africa is a restaurant in Syracuse’s Northside neighborhood owned by Ullys and Delvy Mouity, cousins who came to the U.S. as refugees from the Republic of Congo. In 2022, CenterState CEO staff worked with Ullys and Delvy to navigate the process of purchasing their building on Danforth Street - a neighborhood-scale mixed use building that is now home to their three business ventures and several residential units. The Mouitys also participated in the Up Start program to support their business plan, and continue to make improvements to the property to create a welcoming environment that celebrates the diversity of cultures and foods that exist in Central New York.