DOAK™ Magazine Winter 2016 | Page 6

DAUGHTERS OF A KING
AUTHORITY
Interviewed by Ebony Murrell Contributing Editor : Kerry Wheeler

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES WITH BEAUTY & DIGNITY

Fashion & Compassion is a 501 ( c )( 3 ) non-profit organization that donates 100 % of their net profits back to the communities , organizations and ministries they serve .
The Vision for Fashion & Compassion
The vision for Fashion & Compassion came to fruition in 2009 , after the organization ' s co-founders Michele Dudley and Celeste Bundy went on a mission trip to Burundi and Rwanda . Michele had gone the year before in 2008 , where she visited a memorial remembering the thousands of people who had been brutally murdered during the Rwandan Genocide . Being able to come a second time , Michele and Celeste knew it was ordained by God and decided to do something that would make a meaningful difference in the lives of the survivors and for the women who were living in extreme poverty . When they returned to Charlotte , they started selling paper bead jewelry out of Michele ' s dining room . As the business grew , so did the idea for Fashion & Compassion .
F & C was officially started in 2012 , and it has been their mission to connect caring consumers to vulnerable artisans around the world through economic empowerment .
Connecting Communities with Beauty and Dignity
" Connecting Communities with Beauty and Dignity " is part of F & C ' s calling , as they believe all
Fashion & Compassion
Charlotte , North Carolina
people are created in God ' s image and are worthy of love , dignity , and respect .
Karie Davis , Fashion & Compassion ' s Brand and Communications manager shares , " Even the '&' symbol in our logo is a significant part of our purpose , because we want to connect women who are overcoming poverty AND injustice to western markets , where they can sell their beautiful products and earn a living to provide for their families . We also want to connect our customers , not only to the jewelry and accessories , but also to the women who make them and the injustice they are fighting on a daily basis . It ' s so