Olowo-n'djo's Blog

Baby Alaffia

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

Abide, a midwife who served the women in our Maternal Health Empowerment Project, was riding her motorcycle and came across a young woman, Hodalo, on the side of the road who was distressed and in pain. Hodalo was in labor and had been personally affected by FGM earlier in her life, whic...

What Happens In Togo: Agbavi Beach

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

Agbavi Beach in Togo, West Africa holds a special place for me because it was where my mother, Ina, and I shared our last stroll on the beach together before she became too ill to walk. It was a kind of magical place for both of us to regroup, plan and reminiscence about how far we’d come w...

The Legacy of Chadwick Boseman

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

Trying to process the magnitude of the loss of Chadwick Boseman and the collective outpouring of sadness is to not only realize his immense talent but also what he came to represent to so many. Chadwick’s performance of T’Challa in “Black Panther” contained such deep levels of humanity, humili...

Much More Than a Basket

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

There’s more than meets the eye with our Alaffia Authentic African Handwoven Baskets. Weaving the baskets is highly collaborative with multiple co-op and collective partners. Baskets are woven with wild-harvested Savannah grass—panicum or elephant grass—from the Blitta collective in Togo...

I Am A Dreamer

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

It's my great honor to be part of the IconTalks documentary “I Am A Dreamer,” an exploration of history, social justice and economic empowerment. In partnership with the Motion Picture Association, the powerful film features commentary from a group ...

Togelese Cuisine Family Recipes

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

It’s my joy to cook and share Togolese cuisine made from recipes passed down by my mother, Ina. I've made these recipes for people far and wide, including for many of our amazing retail partners. I’ve had so many requests about how to make these sauces that I'm considering an Alaffia Read More

Spend for Good

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

"Producers’ cooperatives are an essential lifeline for any woman selling to the international market. In addition to ensuring Togolese women a voice, flexible working hours, and fair wages, they’re also gatekeepers of cultural integrity and authenticity." – From Cause Consumer's <...

Then & Now: Kante Baobab Collective

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

In 2015, I met with the Kante Baobab Collective. I was drawn to Kante, as the area is one of the most poverty stricken in Togo, and women rely on collecting and selling baobab fruits from the wild baobab trees that grow in and around their farms for additional income. Baobab trees live f...

Corporate Excellence Award in Washington D.C.

by Olowo-n'djo Tchala

My co-founder, Prairie Rose Hyde, and I were honored by Under Secretary of State David Hale and Assistant Secretary of State Manisha Singh with the 2018 Award for Corporate Excellence in Women’s Economic Empowerment at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2019.