Folklife – The Artist Vibe

 Enjoy live music and shop directly from local artisans online with The Artist Vibe! This monthly virtual event, hosted by Tinesi Minikon, will feature one local performing artist and one local visual artist/artisan. 

Featured Artist Mesh Macaulay, Fashion Designer, is the founder of  Oumuwa handbags. The bags are designed in the U.S. and produced by local artisans and small to medium enterprises in several African countries.   Oumuwa means “you are beautiful” in the Oshiwambo language of Namibia.  It began from Mesh Macaulay’s, the Founder, love for traditional African textile. Based on that, she found an opportunity to use these textiles in bags to showcase and generate income in local communities. While traveling to many African countries, she loved experiencing the local cultures, beautiful people, and amazing cuisines. She also loved exploring the local markets, which is where she discovered and fell in love with traditionally woven cloths across the continent. She was no stranger to African cloths. However, she had no idea that these beautiful handwoven fabrics existed in most African countries. These cloths, such as the Kente, have existed for centuries, and each country has its own.  She began purchasing African cloths in every country she visited. This is why she created Oumuwa; to share and educate the world about these traditional cloths through her handbags. Oumuwa takes great pride in supporting African entrepreneurs; from those weaving, to the dedicated bag makers. To that end, most of the work that goes into producing its bags is done in several African countries. By doing this, we provide income-generating opportunities to women-owned and family-owned small businesses.

Featured Performer Shacara Rogers is a vocalist, songwriter, and vocal coach from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated with her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees from Howard University. She had been a lead soloist of Afro Blue, Howard’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, and has performed at many different arenas with artists like Patti LaBelle, Dianne Reeves, Esperanza Spalding, and many others. In 2018 she released her debut album, 16 Moments, and became an internationally acclaimed artist with her first 4 week tour of Russia in 2019. Her most current releases of 2021 include a single called His Will, and a full-length album entitled In Jesus’ Name I Sing. She also won the 2021 Wammie Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song in the DMV area with her single, His Will. Over the last nine years, this wife and mother has won many awards, released three full-length albums, two singles, a music video, become an international performing artist, served seven years teaching on the collegiate level, and started a health and wellness business. Her future plans include continuing to dedicate her musical gifts back to her Lord and savior by releasing more Christ-center music, singing all over the world, continuing in her teaching career, and further scaling her business. The Artist Vibe is brought to by SSM Folklife partner, FAsMarketplace.

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