Be a Sponsor

Hello. My name is Helen Hamada and I am pleased to say that I’m the first sponsor of the artisanat program in Stanfordville, NY. For the past 25 years I have worked as an executive at a highly successful money management firm that grew from $40 million to over $7 billion under management during my tenure. I decided to support the artisanat project because I believe in its mission: provide work not jobs for people in my local community. And, importantly, it is work connected with craftsmanship.

The dearth of products made by hand in America is alarming. This is a great concern of mine. Objects made in small workshops that embed the tradition of the craft are disappearing from our homes and our daily use. People using human eyes to guide human hands to produce objects that carry the souls of their makers is becoming an endangered species in our culture. In today’s economy, the idea of creating one’s own source of self-sustaining income that is both challenging and fulfilling is a noteworthy accomplishment.

In the tradition of the Tuskegee Institute, business people and concerned individuals generously donated to the vision of Booker T. Washington to help him achieve the goal of fostering economic self-reliance for black freed slaves. It takes a village to “be a village” and support for visionary programs such as artisanat is one important component of building our “village.” If you have the means, I encourage you to participate in this very rewarding experience.

I am happy to speak to anyone who would like to learn more.