WAKA WAKA
The Party: Its name coming from the Cameroonian translation for “just do it,” this multiday event hosted by Ibu Movement invited guests to celebrate African culture and female artisans. On Friday evening, attendees flocked to a gorgeously decked out Festival Hall, for a dinner party and fashion show featuring vibrant designs handcrafted in Africa by Ibu partners. Before the family-style meal prepared by Senegalese chef Bintou N’Daw of downtown’s Bintü Atelier, Ibu’s 2025 Global Champion Beatrice Lempaira of BeadWorks Kenya gave the blessing in her native Maasai Maa and shared her experience on the importance of preserving artisan traditions. Founded by Susan Hull Walker, Ibu Movement provides a marketplace for female makers from around the world and works to expand their capacity for success. Highlight: A rousing paddle pledge towards 10 capacity-building projects, from Niger to the Yucatan to Bangalore that raised $300,000 alone Beneficiary: Ibu Movement
