Our History

THE STORY OF ALAFFIA GREW OUT OF WEST AFRICAN SOIL

When, in 1996, a young man from Togo, West Africa, met a young woman from rural Washington State. Inspired by a shared calling to do right by the world, Alaffia, a social enterprise, was born. Founded in 2003, Alaffia continues to redefine the natural products industry through its values of Beauty, Equality and Empowerment, fair trade, and safe, efficacious hair, face and body care.

Alaffia's Milestones

1996

Olowo-n’djo Tchala met and fell in-love with Peace Corps Volunteer Prairie Rose Hyde while serving in Kaboli, Togo

1998

Olowo-n’djo moved to the United States

2003

First Shea Butter Cooperative is established

2004

Officially established in Olympia, WA

Maternal Care Project is established Education Project established

2006

Alaffia’s Environmental Sustainability, Bicycles for Education and Eyeglasses Project are established

2009

First date of Fair for Life certification

2011

First school built and opened in Kouloumi, Togo

2012

Coconut Cooperative is established, bringing 130 more women into the cooperative family

2015

Alaffia launches the Queen Alaffia line to empower women that had previously fallen victim to the sex trade

2017

Djapak Cooperative established Schools in Nadagou and Tamangue are built

2018

Alaffia increases access to Alaffia’s products by 2,500+ retail stores nationwide

Founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala: is appointed to the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee on Africa

Olowo-n’djo receives the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Pacific Northwest by Ernst and Young

Alaffia receives the Award for Corporate Excellence from the U.S. State Dept for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Back To Top Button