The Empowerment Tour - Week Two

Week one wrapped up in Northern California and took the tour down the coast by way of San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

Heading up to the Vantage Point.

The Golden Gate!

A visit to the Whole Foods Sebastopol provided an unexpected reunion with Amber, one of the team members who accompanied Alaffia to Togo last year. (Watch the video from the trip here)

Reunion Hug

Catching Up

The days from San Francisco to San Diego were filed with store visits and dinners with friends. Olowo-n’djo was given the opportunity to cook traditional Togolese fare for many of the store events, highlighting Red PalmOil. Olowo-n’djo was grateful for the opportunity to cook for so many, as a way to express his appreciation to all who have supported Alaffia and the Co-ops for the past ten years.

Chef Tchala at Whole Foods Fairfax.

Serving up the Togolese cuisine!

The Eager Crowd

One of the many viewings held of the new Alaffia documentary.

Each of the events was memorable, and we can’t thank all those who helped to orchestrate them enough.

Plenty of raffle baskets loaded with Fair Trade Alaffia products were awarded down the coast, and Olowo-n’djo was more than happy to offer the baskets to the winners.

The Lucky Winner at Mother's Market in Santa Rosa.

Basket: Claimed at Mother's Market Costa Mesa.

With one final stop at People’s co-op and a trip to the fuel pump for a tank of Bio-diesel, The Empowerment Tour was off to Sin City for the next leg of the Tour. California, and all who became a part of the Tour through store events, dinners, and places to stay, thank you!
“It has been special to reconnect with retailers that have worked with Alaffia since the beginning over 9 years ago. There is a lot of goodness and positive energy around the whole trip. People are going above and beyond!” –Olowo-n’djo

Sushi with friends in Costa Mesa.

Lunch Break at Whole Foods Stevens Creek.

Olowo-n'djo, prepped for a beach run in Santa Monica.

The Empowerment Tour - Week One

The long awaited Empowerment Tour is officially underway! Olowo-n’djo and crew pulled out of HQ at 3:30 on Monday en route to their first stop in Crescent City, CA after a morning of packing and saying some final farewells.

Last minute tech details with Sam.

Fully loaded and ready for the tour.

The drive to Crescent City was long but filled with beautiful stops along the rugged West Coast.

Photo op on the 101.

A quick stop with Paul and Babe can't be passed up-

Upon arrival in Crescent City, the team was warmly welcomed by Lawrence Batterton who had a busy but exciting first day planned, full of visiting stores and sharing the Alaffia vision with both new friends and old.

Before the last stop of the day, the tour took a diversion past the Carson Mansion in Eureka. Named for the logging magnate who owned it, the house is a towering mix of many Victorian architectural styles, and the most photographed Victorian house in California. Carson himself was known for his philanthropic nature and had a reputation for fairness with his employees. He paid a decent wage, reduced working hours and was respected in his community.

A collision of style: Carson Mansion, meet Alaffia.

The Carson Mansion was a fitting stop on the first day of The Empowerment Tour, as the next two months are dedicated not only to celebrating the empowerment that comes through Fair Trade, but also to celebrate the strides of Empowerment made throughout history.

Thank you Lawrence for the tour and history lesson, the tour is off to a beautiful start!

“Today was a joyful day. In each store we visited, from small co-ops to larger markets, we got a sense of the care people have for the world and for Alaffia. The tour is developing its own life and we are now ready for the next day.” –Olowo-n’djo Tchala

Empowerment Tour Farewell

On a national level, empowerment is the topic of conversation. This week, we celebrate many triumphs in gender and racial equality. Monday was Women’s Equality Day, marking the ratification of the 19^th amendment, and commemorating the struggles and triumphs of the Women’s Suffrage Movement led by Susan B. Anthony. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his groundbreaking “I have a dream” speech 50 years ago this Wednesday. He spoke out against the racial inequality in the nation. Though he did not see the change in his lifetime, today many are enjoying the freedoms he campaigned for.

And for Alaffia, we celebrate Empowerment this week as well. Today we held a farewell ceremony for Olowo-n’djo, to send him off on the Empowerment Tour with blessings and warm regards in the Togolose tradition.

The Alaffia team

Operations were shut down and the whole Alaffia family gathered in the warehouse to receive Olowo-n’djo and offer him gifts. A representative from each department wished him well on his journey. It was a memorable moment for all.

Adam from production wishing Olowo-n'djo well.

Alex from shipping saying a few words.

Rose wrapping up the well-wishing.

Though we will miss having him in the office, we are excited for the tour, and know that Olowon’djo is looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Alaffia!