About Us

A product with purpose.

Kolo Culture produces premium, authentic, handmade African Print Graduation Sashes that empower students of all levels to honor their heritage on the most important day of their academic career.

Our bespoke products are designed, sourced and produced end-to-end by our talented team of textile artisans in our Dakar, Senegal studio.

Made with the utmost care and attention to detail, Kolo Culture products are a physical embodiment of, “Know from whence you came.”

Our name.

Kolo comes from “Makolo akale,” a Chichewa (Malawian language) phrase meaning, “our ancestors.”

Malawi holds a special place in our hearts as our non-profit organization, The Tunstall Foundation, built two schools in Malawi in 2019 and 2020.

Our process.

Handmade by skilled textile artisans in our Dakar, Senegal studio, Kolo Culture African Print Graduation Sashes reflect the care and attention to detail required to be a premium, bespoke, and heirloom-worthy product.

Our three-layer construction consists of authentic West African wax prints (i.e. a durable, intricately-designed, cotton-based fabric), satin backing, and an interior stiffening material to ensure a seamless, lay-flat presentation during wear.

Kolo Culture products tell stories: the story of our heritage, our collective reverence for those who came before us, a deep and abiding respect for the sacrifices that paved the way, and the African philosophical concepts and values we seek to embody daily.

Our team in action.

Our values.

We honor our ancestors.

Our ability to strive and succeed today is owed in large part to the exceptional and extensive sacrifices of those who came before us. Our ancestors’ challenges and triumphs are the elements that power our progress today. We are mindful, we are grateful and we continue building.

We believe in ma’at.

We believe in and practice the Ancient Kemetian (Egyptian) principle of ma’at: truth, justice, balance and order. We treat our customers, partners, vendors and team members with the utmost respect for their humanity. This is reflected in our practices, pricing and compensation.

We use our resources for our progress.

We use our talents, skills, abilities, access, and finances to support the progress of our community - both near and far. Proceeds from the sale of Kolo Culture products financially support The Tunstall Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to creating and advancing educational opportunities for people of the African Diaspora worldwide.

Our leadership.

Desirée Tunstall is the Founder and CEO of Kolo Culture as well as the Founder and President of The Tunstall Foundation, the non-profit organization connected to Kolo Culture.

She is an educator, innovator, entrepreneur, world-traveler, change-maker and philanthropist. She believes deeply in the importance and power of understanding oneself and one’s history. Her vision for Kolo Culture is to build a multifaceted, sustaining business that will serve and support our community - near and far.

Our philanthropy

Established in 2019, The Tunstall Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to creating and advancing educational and economic opportunities for people of the African Diaspora.

We are committed to Black liberation using the tools of education and economics. Our educational programs are based on obtaining right knowledge, expanding consciousness and developing an understanding of oneself and our people for true advancement.

The Tunstall Foundation operates two distinct lines of programming: a) Black Birthright; and b) building schools on the African Continent.

Visit www.myblackbirthright.org to learn more about our philanthropy.