Celebrating Ivorian Women and Artists Through Storytelling

Empowering Stories

Celebrating inspiring Ivorian women and artists through art and storytelling.

Artistic Portraits

Cultural Expression

Exploring African identity through original artworks.

Youth Empowerment

Entrepreneurship

Highlighting local artists and their unique perspectives.

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Showcasing the resilience of Ivorian women artists.

Sankofa Bla

I also invite young volunteers to join conversations on African identity, such as masculinity versus womanhood, the role of fathers in education, and gender expectations in the household, building a space where youth can share ideas and learn from each other.

Art

Storytelling and Art

In July 2024, I visited art markets with a small team to interview artists about their craft, the textures they use, and why they chose this life; by September 2024, we were meeting women entrepreneurs to learn about how they started their businesses and the challenges they face as women in Africa.

Youth Dialogue & Community

Alongside interviews, I create original artworks that reflect African identity and women’s resilience, using painting as another way of telling stories and keeping traditions alive.

Youth Dialogue & Community

About Sankofa Bla

I started Sankofa Bla in July 2024, inspired by my grandmother’s words in Baoulé: "Nan Owla Fisou Lé, Nan Yakinou Lé" (Never Stop, Never Forget) . She used to remind me of this all the time, even engraving it on our porch, and it became a lesson I carry everywhere, we should always chase our dreams.

With Sankofa Bla, I wanted to bring together my love for art and my wish to celebrate women whose voices are often overlooked. We began by going to art markets, where I talked with artists about their craft—their colors, their textures, and what pushed them to choose this life. By September, we were sitting with women entrepreneurs, learning about how they started their businesses and the challenges they face as women in Africa.

It’s also a space for young people like me to share ideas. I invite volunteers to discuss big questions about African identity—like masculinity and womanhood, the role of fathers in raising children, or even whether traditions like cooking should always fall to women. At the same time, I create paintings that reflect African identity and women’s resilience, because art, to me, is another way of telling a story.

Sincerely,

Yael Ame :)

Feel free to reach out!

Nos traditions sont orales et peuvent se perdre facilement. Je suis heureux que tu prennes cette initiative. Nous, artistes, sommes animés par la passion, tout comme les médecins et d’autres métiers renommés. Continue ainsi, agrandis ton cercle de passionnés et fais perdurer nos techniques, nos rituels et nos traditions—Our traditions are oral and can easily be lost. I’m glad you are taking this initiative. We, as artists, are fueled by passion just like doctors and other renowned professions. Keep going—grow your community of passionate people and keep our techniques, rituals, and traditions alive.

Local Artist

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