BaBaBlankets: A Women’s Cooperative in Ghana

November 25th, 2009 at 12:52pm arturo

ED: Dr. Arturo Lindsay, is a Professor of Art & Art History at Spelman College, GA

At the Artist Market of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta this summer I was admiring a silver ring that a vendor was showing me when all of a sudden a burst of brilliant colors emanating from the adjacent stall distracted me, demanded my attention and forced me to walk away from the silver vendor. The brilliant colors were coming from BaBaBlankets’ stall. BaBaBlankets is a women’s cooperative from Ghana, West Africa that creates the most exquisite blankets, duvets, pillow covers, placemats, table runners, etc. The colors, fabric and craftsmanship are unique.

But I am getting ahead of myself. The jeweler called out to me and I returned to complete the transaction. I then wandered around the stalls of other vendors at the festival but managed to return to BaBaBlankets’ stall and this time met Ms. Aminata Brown. Aminata very modestly began telling me how and why she founded BaBaBlankets. Aminata is a brilliant and caring woman, a “social entrepreneur” who has been able to fuse her business expertise with her love for art and craft, her African heritage and impoverished women. Aminata’s incredible story coupled with the beautiful work of the cooperative and the transformation in the lives of all is a story that needs a greater audience.

While visiting BaBaBlankets’ store in New Orleans with my dear friends Lowery Sims, Leslie King Hammond and José Mapily a week ago (November 13, 2009), I noticed a sign that read Do Right, Get Rich. When I commented on the sign to Aminata, she smiled and responded saying “Rich has many definitions.” And she is right. I believe that Aminata Brown and the women of BaBaBlankets in Ghana are living proof that this adage is true. It is possible to do the right thing and be rewarded with a very rich life.

Finally, BaBaBlankets’ website, gives a great deal more information about this great enterprise and is worth a visit. Additionally, I recommend a visit to their New Orleans’s store located at 1330 Prytania St. New Orleans, LA 70130.

Picture source: http://www.babablanket.com/our-story

Entry Filed under: guest bloggers,the global africa project