08/13/2026
More Than Shea Butter: Reflections from Côte d’Ivoire
I have wanted to share the story of our shea butter workshop in Côte d’Ivoire for years.
In March 2022, I traveled to Abidjan to lead a three-day Shea Butter Beauty Products Masterclass with Nailah’s Shea, Koné Consulting and Women Entrepreneurs & Leaders.
The first morning still makes me smile. The women arrived expecting lecture-style training. I arrived ready for them to measure, mix, melt, blend and make products with their own hands. We laughed, adjusted and made it work. The next day, they returned dressed and ready. They were all in.
By our final “Share All” celebration, the women were presenting their products, telling their stories and receiving certificates before government guests and a national television crew.
What moves me most is what happened afterward. Some participants started businesses. Others began teaching women in their communities. Many of us still keep in touch.
The knowledge was never meant to stop in that room.
I am deeply grateful to Alicia Koné, Madame Elodie Kouadio, our partners, and every Nailah’s Shea customer, friend, donor and supporter who helped make this possible.
Near the end of the trip, I saw a young karité tree. Small, green and rooted, it reminded me that meaningful work often begins long before we can see how far it will grow.
Read the full story: https://nailahsshea.com/blogs/news/shea-butter-workshop-cote-divoire?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=cote_divoire_masterclass
