Johari Africa’s holiday gift collection: A blend of craft, art, and livelihood

Banana fiber angels showcase traditional East African craftwork reimagined through Johari Africa s cross-cultural artisan architecture Courtesy of Johari Africa At the Johari Africa gift shop in Clarkston the holidays arrive with color texture and stories stitched into belts bags bracelets and other handcrafted goods The shop which sits inside the Amani Women Center s headquarters on Church Street holds the memories and traditions of multiple places at once Kenya Ghana Burma Afghanistan and more The women who make Johari s apparel bags jewelry and home goods come from refugee and immigrant communities across the region Their work blends cultural memory modern design and the empowerment that comes from learning a skill and being paid for it The Johari Africa gift shop was built through Amani s economic empowerment project which trains legal refugee and immigrant women and survivors of violence at the Amani Sewing Academy The shop operates as a social enterprise that supports wages stability and creative agency for the women behind the products It is also one of the bulk meaningful holiday shopping experiences in metro Atlanta A design language rooted in heritage and sustainability Founder Doris Mukangu says Johari Africa s design language draws on traditional African craft but evolves as new artists join the locality We blend sustainable handcrafted materials with bold African aesthetics favoring recycled paper beads coconut shells and vibrant textiles that celebrate individuality and authenticity Mukangu says The work shares a commitment to traditional African craft techniques natural materials and visible handwork Johari has evolved as more women enroll in the Sewing Academy As our scheme has expanded its outreach we ve incorporated influences from other cultures such as Burma and Afghanistan further enriching our shared story of empowerment sustainability and cross-cultural creativity Each material the women use carries meaning Recycled paper speaks to renewal Coconut shell connects to traditional Kenyan craft and resourcefulness African wax print fabrics tell stories through color and pattern These fabrics carry deep cultural identity and storytelling Mukangu says They express heritage district and pride Each piece embodies a story of craftsmanship resilience and cultural collaboration Amani Women s Center Founder Doris Mukangu Craft art and livelihood equally Inside the shop the holiday collection features pieces made with intent rather than speed Hand-sewn crossbody bags line the shelves Table runners brighten the room Clay jewelry beaded animals and coconut-shell ornaments rest near embroidered garments made at the Sewing Academy Mukangu says the women view their work as layered They see their work as a blend of craft art and livelihood she says It is craft in its preservation of traditional techniques art in the creativity and cultural expression and livelihood in the economic independence and empowerment it provides One Clarkston-based artisan who required not to use her name joined the Sewing Academy because plenty of women from her society recommended it She says the project offered a way to build her skills and confidence It also gave her a place to connect with others who share similar journeys Johari Africa s handcrafted gifts from ornaments to textiles showcase the creativity and cultural traditions of refugee and immigrant women in Clarkston Courtesy of Johari Africa When she makes something new whether a dress ornament or bag she works with pride in mind I am inspired to make something I am proud of making she says Specific techniques come from home Sometimes I use embroidery and I like it because I did this back home she adds Knowing that someone might wear or display her work brings deep meaning It makes me very happy and proud she says When inquired what she hopes people feel when they receive her pieces she replies just They see a beautiful dress A holiday collection built on connection The Johari Africa holiday gift shop offers one-of-a-kind goods made with care rather than speed But the larger idea is connection Connection between Clarkston and Kenya between tradition and reinvention and between the artisan and the person who brings that piece home Mukangu wants shoppers to feel the deeper stories behind the pieces We hope Atlantans feel a sense of connection warmth and purpose she says Each piece embodies a story of craftsmanship resilience and cultural collaboration Read More Curator Alfonso Alday on GRIT Photo at the Clarkston Public Center From Khartoum to Clarkston How a Sudanese nurse is filling a gap in robustness care For Mukangu Johari Africa is more than a gift shop It is a region stitched together one handmade piece at a time Shoppers can explore Johari Africa s handmade gifts online at johariafrica com or visit the Clarkston shop at Church Street Every purchase supports refugee and immigrant women as they build new lives and new creative traditions here 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