Supporting local African artisans and their communities through partnerships: Serena & Lily

October 9, 2012
DUNIA Contributor
Posted in Around The World

Lily (left) and Serena (middle) beading with an African woman

Serena & Lily is an upscale California based linens and housewares company founded by Serena Dugan, a textile designer and artist, and Lily Kanter, an entrepreneur.

Their collections – creatively infused with color and delicious patterns, and full of character – sell worldwide. There is more to these two Founders than just good business acumen … these ladies obviously value community based initiatives in their commitment to giving back. This is evident in their company’s social mission which states, “We began by direct giving, allocating a portion of all proceeds to supporting organizations that advocate for underprivileged and at risk women and children.”

Lynn Byrne of decorartsnow.com writes that in 2009, through Serena and Lily’s partnership with Canadian nonprofit organization Free the Children, and its “Me to We Artisan Project”, Serena Dugan designed products that were handmade by Maasai women in Kenya using traditional beading techniques.

These products were then sold in Serena & Lily’s online Bazaar, and all proceeds were directed back to benefit Free the Children. Free the Children, through their adopt-a-village program, have built schools, health clinics and clean water facilities in Kenya and around the world.

Also, by offering their products in the U.S., they were able to support the local craftswomen they worked with and their communities in Africa and other parts of the world.