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MISSION STATEMENT
herARTS in Action is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2011, awarded status in 2014, and in 2018 obtained NGO status in Burkina Faso. The mission of herARTS in Action is to produce and sell artwork that educates on global topics, creates social change, and then funds sustainability projects in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone and access to the visual arts in Minnesota. The vision is that herARTS in Action contributes to,
1) sustainable socioeconomic status, including education, employment, and health, for the women and children of Burkina Faso based on the stated need and desires of the people and in a manner respectful of the culture,
2) nontraditional access to visual art for those most marginalized to attain art skills and experiences in Minnesota, and
3) educational success for children in Sierra Leone by providing supplies needed in and outside the classroom.

HISTORY
Our founder Sarah Drake took her first trip to the African continent in the summer of 2011 as an inspired artist. The women and children in the village of Tiébélé, Burkina Faso, West Africa inspired her to collaborate with them to fundraise for projects that will lead to health, education, and sustainable economic status. The fabulous people were enough for Sarah to take action, but her determination for success also came from a dose of survivor guilt. She survived an illness that (at that time) killed 25,000 children under the age of 5 every year in the country, all because she had access to healthcare that the locals didn't. This compelled Sarah to use her artwork as an education tool and fundraiser. She created herARTS in Action when she returned to the United States because existing organizations were not working in that region, and they weren't willing to, as a working single mom and from the living room floor of her one-bedroom apartment. The money raised by selling her art, plus fundraisers, fund access to clean water, sanitation, and education in Burkina Faso, and has since expanded to education in Sierra Leone and the visual arts in Minnesota.

SUPPORT TEAM

Sarah Drake
Founder of herARTS in Action, Artist in Action
Sarah is an artist, activist, and advocate, but foremost, she's a mother to a biracial child. As a practitioner of anti-racism and anti-colonial methodologies, she continually evaluates her privileges to be sure she is intentional and intersectional with her actions to contribute positively to a world that is equitable and accepting for her daughter and all. Sarah has exhibited her artwork internationally, earned multiple awards, and has a piece in the permanent collection at the Marina Tsvetaeva Museum and Cultural Center in Moscow. In addition to art, Sarah has worked for many years in the nonprofit sector on human rights, immigration, diversity, and inclusion, all of which was enhanced by an Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship earlier in her career. She has a Master’s of Science degree in Social Responsibility and an undergraduate degree in Ethnic Studies and Geography, both from St. Cloud State University. She has volunteered all of her work related to the organization.

Sandrine Kaba
In-Country Coordinator
Sandrine is an entrepreneur originally from Tiébélé, Burkina Faso. During Sarah's first trip to Burkina Faso, Sandrine was recommended as an interpreter because she is from the village. Since that first meeting, Sandrine has dedicated herself to helping herARTS in Action achieve their goals. As the go-to person for the organization in Burkina Faso, Sandrine has built her leadership skills and been empowered in her own country. When asked why she is volunteering her time for the projects, Sandrine said if she can help even one person, then she needs to help.

BOARD MEMBERS

Wend Kouni Nintiema has a Master of Science in Social Responsibility from St Cloud State University with a focus on Gender Studies. Although passionate about social justice issues in general, she focuses on issues facing women and girls. Wend Kouni serves as the Chair of herARTS in Action and is a native of Burkina Faso. She is also a member of Associations Amies de Guyane, a non-profit organization striving to impact women's and girls' education in French Guiana. In the past, Wend Kouni was a board member of the African Women Alliance in MN and volunteered for Solidarité Femmes de Dijon in France, working with women victims of domestic violence.

Kristoffer Polaha is an actor, most recently in Wonder Woman 1984, in the upcoming Jurassic World 3, and a Hallmark favorite. When asked, Why herARTS in Action? Why water? Kristoffer replied: "I was on Twitter one day last year [2015] where herARTS in Action reached out to me, and I was impressed with the heart of the organization. Sarah Drake's personal testimony and how simple the solution to the water problem in Africa is made herARTS in Action so compelling that it forced me to Action. To me, the most compelling aspect of herARTS in Action is how it seeks to use the power of art to affect change in the world. As an artist, that's a huge idea." Since then, he has called himself an Ambassador & Advocate, a Champion of Action through the Arts, and a Champion for women and children's education and health through access to clean water, but never a "celebrity" anything. He didn't want just to be a name but to take action to make a difference.

Eric Sauret is a professional in the financial industry, mainly working within banking in model risk management, quantitative risk, model risk auditing, and an analyst. He completed a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Saint Cloud State University. When asked why he helps and supports the organization, Eric replied, "herARTS in Action offers a unique opportunity to contribute and see the "added" value and the positive impact on women, mothers, and girls in Burkina Faso. Actions and contributions are actualized when a little girl gets a chance to go to school as the parents couldn't afford or when we build wells, and clean water is available. Those basic things which seem normal to many are a huge privilege to the people of Tiébélé."

Belinda Labor was born and lived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, until war broke out. The lack of educational opportunities forced her to move to The Gambia to finish high school and then to England, where she earned her Marketing certificate. She later moved to St Cloud, MN, and received an AAS degree at St Cloud Technical and Community College, and is currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Management. Belinda has always wanted to help children achieve not just an education but also have the peace of mind to just be kids. She wants girls to believe in themselves and create an image in their minds that education is the best way forward.

Aboubacar Zoungrana has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St Cloud State University and is currently working on a Master of Public Administration. He worked on a grant for herARTS in Action as a class assignment and decided to continue to serve. Aboubacar is not only able to give back to his home country of Burkina Faso while in MN but is preparing himself for when he organizes projects after his schooling. He's still learning but can help at the same time, and Aboubacar encourages everyone to do their part to help.