Celebrate World Fair Trade Day in the Heights May 10
On almost every continent there are celebrations planned for May 10, 2008 in honor of World Fair Trade Day. The celebrations aim to “increase the awareness of the campaign for justice in trade.” Fair trade is an alternative way of doing business that ensures the producers earn a living wage. This makes a tremendous impact on the producer communities. Children’s school fees are paid; nutritional needs are met; health care costs are covered; the poor, especially women, are empowered; and the environmental impact of production, sourcing, and transport is mitigated.
Buyers of fair trade products value long term relationships with their producers, creating a traceable connection between the consumer buying a product that they love and the person who made that product with love. From a delicious tasting cup of coffee, to a beautifully embroidered handbag, there is the joy of knowing that your purchase is helping the artisan gain economic independence. Fair trade provides a human connection in this era of globalization and international commerce.
We are fortunate to have many talented Cleveland natives who support fair trade. Last year Cleveland Heights resident Lisa Dunn realized her dream of opening her own fair trade fashion boutique, Revive, located on Lee Road She is a social entrepreneur who has travelled a personal and professional journey from high-end retail, to human rights work, and home to Revive, which carries products from fair trade lines with local connections including:
Ruth DeGolia, a Cleveland Heights High graduate, founded Mercado Global, to “lift families in rural Guatemala out of poverty” through the marketing their handcrafted jewelry, accessories and ceramics. Ruth was recently featured on the Tyra Banks Show and she was also seen on the cover of Newsweek!
Andy Krumholz, also a Cleveland native, created Escama Studio. Escama works directly with artisans in Brazil who produce sleek, modern handbags made of recycled pop tabs. They are unique, eco-friendly, and functional works of art.
The creator of Mad Imports, Laurel Brandstetter, grew up in Shaker Heights. Mad Imports markets eclectic fashion accessories handmade in Madagascar, blending innovative design ideas, candy colors and renewable natural fibers such as sisal, penjy reed and banana tree bark. They have been in several publications including O Magazine, Lucky and Glamour and have also been seen on E!News and the Early Show on CBS.
How is Cleveland celebrating World Fair Trade Day, May 10? Here are two fun events not to be missed!
Participate in the WORLD”S LARGEST FAIR TRADE COFFEE BREAK--Enjoy a cup of fair trade coffee AND receive a complimentary dark chocolate and espresso chip bar with any $25 purchase. Revive Fair Trade Store located at 2248 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Revive will also co-host the Cleveland World Fair Trade Day event held at the Independence Civic Center from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. The festivities include a fair trade fashion show featuring students from 13 area high schools. Enjoy the fashion show, music, poetry, speakers, and educational displays. The Fair Trade Fair will also include: Ten Thousand Villages, Equal Exchange, Heartbeats Catalog, INTO, IRTF, and Phoenix Coffee.
Charlotte Bifulco works with Revive, and lives in her Heights home, originally purchased by her great grandmother in 1912.
