Alaffia's Co-Founder Olowo-n'djo Tchala Joins Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative to Support Women's Economic and Social Empowerment

OLYMPIA, Wash., Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaffia, the 16-year-old natural personal care brand and social enterprise known for its efficacious products and impactful Empowerment Projects, announced today its support of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative and Co-Founder Olowo-n'djo Tchala's participation at the launch event in Washington, D.C.

The W-DGP Initiative, led by White House Senior Adviser Ivanka Trump and with support from the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Council, and other agencies, aims to bring economic assistance and security to 50 million women across the world—particularly in developing areas—by 2025.

Olowo-n'djo Tchala was invited to attend a launch event for the new global campaign due to his leadership in developing Alaffia's unique women-centered social enterprise model, in which flagship ingredients like handcrafted shea butter and coconut oil are ethically sourced from Alaffia's women's cooperatives in West Africa (where Tchala was raised) via Fair for Life* standards, and then used to create natural personal care and beauty products here in the U.S.

The launch event included a robust roundtable discussion about supporting female entrepreneurs and women-led businesses with leaders from around the world, governmental agencies and private sector partners, as well as a presidential signing ceremony.

"It is an immense honor to be invited to participate in and support this global initiative to support women's economic empowerment," said Tchala. "Alaffia was founded with the mission to alleviate poverty and reduce suffering around the world, and our vision to continue doing that through women-led projects in West Africa aligns perfectly with the heart and spirit of this partnership."

"I am especially grateful that all of us are able to come together to expand opportunity and growth for all people around the world. Our approach is that no matter the direction of political winds, Alaffia's core beliefs around beauty, equality and empowerment remain steadfast," he added.

Since its founding in 2003, the Alaffia mission goes beyond providing consumers with efficacious and safe products for hair, skin, and body. The Washington State and West African organization has been on a mission to alleviate poverty and advance gender equality and has led numerous empowerment initiatives that impacted more than 80,000 people in 2018.

Alaffia has quickly become a top-seller at stores like Whole Foods Market and continues to be a leader in the natural beauty space.

Tchala's invitation to be a part of the W-GDP Initiative is the second time the U.S. government has honored Alaffia and its leadership team.

Last October, the U.S. Department of State presented Alaffia co-founders Olowo-n'djo Tchala and Prairie Rose Hyde with the 2018 Award for Corporate Excellence in Women's Economic Empowerment at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where Tchala spoke of the influence his mother, Ina Agbanga, had on his view of humanity and in the formation of Alaffia.

"She helped me see the suffering of many, and that suffering is the reason we do what we do today," he had shared.

*Certified by ECOCERT.

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SOURCE Alaffia