Home
About Us
When Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah started Studio One Eighty Nine in 2013, they hoped to use fashion to change the lives of people in Africa.
Instead, the social enterprise founded by the actress and her friend has become a "powerful social enterprise that promotes African culture and craftsmanship while fostering empowerment, training, and job creation in African communities through their dedication to fashion consciousness," per a press release.
Studio 189, based in Accra, Ghana, produces high-quality, handcrafted products using traditional African techniques such as hand-batik, kente weaving, and indigo dyeing, and works directly with artisans in Ghana and other parts of Africa, " thereby supporting and improving the living standards of local African artisans," per the release.
Dawson and Erwiah also work with the UN's ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative to provide training and market access to artisans, as well as educate and train them in areas such as production and business management.
Profits from sales go into educational initiatives in Ghana.
Studio 189 has also been recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability, and its products have been featured on international runways.
"By empowering artisans, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering economic development, Studio 189 not only showcases the beauty of African craftsmanship but also
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
National Award-Winning Startup "RampMyCity" Makes 30 Public Places Wheelchair Accessible.RampMyCity is on a mission to build an Inclusive, Accessible, and New India.With 600+ public locations already...more
Good Experts Episode 1: How to do AI the social enterprise way.Speakers at the ChangeNow conference offer practical solutions to create a truly sustainable AI.Also this week: will B Lab's new...more
Haril Kazindra and wife Andrea are the co-founders of Musana, a community development NGO that runs 19 social enterprises across Uganda.Musana has offices in Denver and London and employs 700 staff,...more
The report was commissioned by the Essential Services Commission Victoria as part of a partnership with Thriving Communities Australia, Flequity Ventures, Safe and Equal and the Centre for Women's...more
The Impact Leaders Book, co-authored by Dr. Iris Wright and Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank, will officially launch in Hollywood, California, on October 4, 2025.Wright is an...more
Gawad Kalinga faces questions over its response to concerns about the care of young people in its organization.He believes that open and honest discussions engaging not just organization heads, but...more
Assam NewsVeteran entrepreneur and artiste Abhijit Chaliha passed away at the age of 65 at his residence in Sivasagar town.He was the cousin of former Assam Chief Minister Bimala Prasad Chalih.Among...more
WayMakers is an organisation which supports people with autism and ADHD.Founder Alex Kelly says businesses may not be aware of the support available.Support includes neuro-affirming strategy...more
In this feature, we spotlight 10 entrepreneurs who aren't just following trends, they're creating them.Whether they're using technology to streamline healthcare, redefining sports opportunities for...more
Non-profit social enterprise Grow ECD's learners are developmentally on track and ahead of the national average.Their online curriculum is now available for free to any ECD centre in South Africa.232...more
Social Entrepreneurship News from...
Gates Foundation
Changemakers
Coca-Cola Foundation
Dell Foundation
Skoll Foundation
Simons Foundation
Citi Foundation
eBay Foundation
REDF
Truist Foundation
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.