01:21 – Justin shares how listeners can find GCP online, Olowo-n'djo talks about how often he gets to go back home to Togo, and talks about where he grew up in Togo. He discusses when he began to understand ways he could help uplift the African people, what life was like for him as a child in Togo, and explains how that experience has drove him to do what he is doing today. He talks about how TAF came to be, how the creation of the products was a way for them to generate money to support their mission, and how their business not only helped with creating jobs in Africa, it also created jobs locally as well.

13:13 - Olowo-n'djo talks about how he ended up in Olympia, where the name of the company came from, and the real meaning of Alaffia. He talks about what some of the difficulties are in getting out of poverty, the guiding principles of the organization, and the importance of us to see the world as one community. He talks about the importance of having to do multiple things to make an impact on poverty, the reasoning behind planting 90,000 trees, and how deforestation is contributing to starvation.

25:52 - Olowo-n'djo shares that 1 of 16 women in Togo have a chance to loose their life in giving birth, the impact that has on the children they leave behind, and discusses the schools that Alaffia has built. He talks about the other project of donating bicycles Togo, the impact that has on preventing children from dropping out school, and the amount of human trafficking that is happens in Togo. He talks about the importance of family and culture to him, how the company blew up in 2018, and the organizations intent to make their products accessible and affordable to all American communities.

39:08 – Olowo-n'djo talks about the want to give everyone the ability to give in the world, the fact that changes can be made by things as simple as being mindful about what you purchase, and what he does to relax and have fun. He talks about exercising daily being important to him and that though he knows Alaffia has made a huge stride on removing poverty, he always feels like there is more to do. The guys closedown the show reflecting on the amazing conversation.

Thank you Olowo-n'djo for joining the podcast and sharing the awesome things TAF is doing!

Special Guest: Olowo-n'djo Tchala.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Alaffia — A movement for change.
• Alaffia (@alaffia) on Instagram — Clean, plant-based & fair trade beauty
• Alaffia on Facebook — We're cultivating beauty, equality, and empowerment in West Africa. Alaffia aims to alleviate poverty and advance gender equality through the Certified Fair Trade of indigenous resources and community empowerment initiatives.
• Alaffia (@AlaffiaSkinCare) on Twitter — Our mission: Alleviate poverty & gender inequality in West Africa thru fair trade of sustainable resources, indigenous knowledge & social investment

01:28 – Justin welcomes Allison to the podcast, Scott shares how listeners can get hooked up with some GCP stickers, and Alison talks about joining the Tacoma News Tribune. She talks on starting to cover Tacoma and education news, Scott shares what led him to inviting her to chat with GCP, and Allison talks about getting information out to people to keep them connected to her work. She talks about growing up in the PNW, getting into freelancing, and into journalism.

10:33 – Justin talks on seeing the different side of Tacoma and Allison talks on the difference between Tacoma and Puyallup when it comes the stories she writes. They talk about the rising housing costs in Tacoma, Justin shares his frustration with his neighborhood, and Allison discusses how she differentiates her bias between reporting and the facts. She talks on her future story plans around housing, her resent story on school lock downs, and the equity gaps between different areas on Tacoma.

24:14 – Justin talks about how the bus rapid transit is a hot topic in his area, the concerns on how it would lower housing values, and encourages people to get involved with their local government. Justin and Scott kick off coaster questions, Allison talks on how technology has helped her with journalism, and Justin talks about going from audio editing to video edition.

36:38 – They kick off called shots, Justin talks on going to Pomodoro Italian Restaurant for Valentines Day, and Scott gives a shout out to King Street Bar and Oven in Seattle. He shares his favorite things to eat there, Allison talks about her recent visits to Happy Belly, and what her favorite soups are. Scott shares his favorite soup to eat, gives a shout out to his friends that listen from Nevada, and Justin shares where listeners can find Allison online. Allison talks on what it is like day to day in the office and Justin encourages listeners to be sure to submit Coaster Questions.

Thanks Allison for stopping by to talk about the haps in local politics and your career!

Special Guest: Allison Needles.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Allison Needles on Twitter — News reporter @thenewstribune.
• Allison Needles info - The News Tribune — Allison Needles covers city and education news for The News Tribune in Tacoma.
• Tacoma WA Breaking News, Sports, Weather & More
• School lockdowns most common in South Tacoma, Eastside — Which Tacoma schools are locked down most often?
• Pomodoro Italian Restaurant & Bar — Voted "Tacoma's Best Italian Restaurant" by the readers of the Tacoma Weekly.
• King Street Bar & Oven — Mondays can be rough. Let us help make yours a little better.
• Happy Belly Tacoma — feel. good. food.
• Basque cuisine - Wikipedia — Basque cuisine refers to the cuisine of the Basque Country.