We're excited to introduce you to Jenny Nuccio as we continue to celebrate Women's History Month! She founded Imani Collective in Kenya in 2013, and we're proud to carry their Imani + Kids collection at Fair Trade Winds.
When did you begin Imani Collective, and what inspired you to get your start?
Imani Collective officially began in 2013, but the journey started long before that. My heart for social impact and empowering women began when I first visited Kenya and saw the untapped potential within marginalized communities.
I met resilient, talented women who wanted to work but lacked opportunities. Instead of just providing aid, I wanted to create a long-term, sustainable solution—one that valued dignity over dependency.
What started with 16 women in a small village has now grown into a thriving global social enterprise with 60 artisans and leadership staff in Kenya. We provide fair wages, holistic empowerment programs, and opportunities for both women and men to build sustainable livelihoods. We’ve expanded our reach beyond handmade home décor into a global movement of ethical impact.
What’s a typical daily schedule like at Imani Collective? What are the benefits of this fair trade work environment?
At Imani Collective, we’ve intentionally designed a workplace that fosters collaboration, growth, and community. Our artisans work together in a workshop setting, allowing for a supportive environment where they can learn from each other. Some of our artisans also have the flexibility to work from home, depending on their roles. What sets us apart from traditional work environments is our holistic approach.
We provide training, leadership development, mentorship, and even childcare for working mothers. Our artisans receive daily meals, access to health and wellness programs, and financial literacy education. Fair trade is about more than just wages—it’s about dignity, stability, and breaking cycles of poverty.
Many of the women in our program previously worked in exploitative conditions or had no employment at all. Now, they have a safe space to thrive, not just survive. Their children get to see a different future, one where education and opportunities are within reach.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is “Accelerate Action.” At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. How are women artisans supported to ensure that they feel truly equal to men? What do you think will speed up this process? We know that when women work, the impact of the investment is greatly multiplied!
Gender parity isn’t just about equal pay—it’s about creating environments where women feel empowered to lead, make decisions, and have control over their futures. At Imani Collective, we actively challenge cultural and societal norms that have historically limited women.
We equip our artisans with leadership skills, financial independence, and business training so that they can step into decision-making roles. Many of the women who started as artisans have now moved into leadership positions within our organization, proving that given the right opportunities, women will thrive.
One of the biggest accelerators of change is education and economic empowerment. When women earn an income, the entire community benefits—children go to school, families have better access to healthcare, and generational cycles of poverty begin to break.
To speed up progress, we need more investment in women-led businesses, policies that support working mothers, and global conversations that prioritize action over awareness. When we uplift women, we uplift the world.
What advice would you give girls who are interested in getting involved in causes they’re passionate about?
Start where you are with what you have. You don’t need a title, a big platform, or even all the answers to make a difference. Passion is powerful, but action is what creates real change.
Ask yourself: What breaks your heart? What keeps you up at night? What injustice do you feel called to change? Then, take small steps. Volunteer, learn from mentors, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and don’t be afraid to try.
Most importantly—keep showing up. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but consistency is what makes movements last. Your voice, your actions, and your heart matter. Keep leaning into what fuels you.
Do you have a story to share about a woman artisan that made a lasting impact on you?
There are so many stories I could share, but one that always sticks with me is about Mariam. When she first joined Imani Collective, she was quiet and reserved, unsure of her abilities. Like many women in her community, she had been told she wasn’t capable of earning an income or having independence.
Fast forward to today, and she’s one of our most skilled artisans and a leader in our program. She used her earnings to send her children to school, invest in a small side business, and even build a home for her family. Seeing her transformation—the confidence, the joy, the pride she now carries—reminds me why I started this work in the first place.
Her story isn’t just about financial independence; it’s about reclaiming dignity, breaking generational barriers, and proving that when you invest in a woman, you change the future.