03/05/2024
I am Fely Tchaco, I am black African American, born in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. I am the founder of African Arts Academy ModVation Diversity Ventures and MODEFA San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week. My journey has not been easy and I am still here, standing despite challenges and adversities.
I grew up with my grandmother and never met my biological mother until I was 15 years old. I was very good at art at a very young age. Though I find other subject interesting, I was more drawn to art period. I was made fun of and called stupid, with people telling me that "all I knew was art." I had never imagined that an artist could actually make money because no one took it seriously, at least where I came from. The only school of art that I had attended was closed down just few years in its existence. I thought my dream was shattered. Today, being in this country, the United States of America, I learned that art is a skill and a job and one can actually make money from art. I decided to create AFRICAN ARTS ACADEMY to give back and because it was my childhood dream I had in the back of my head—to implement an institution that specializes in the doctrines of African art and the African diaspora. I've been mocqued and laughed at, I remember giving my saving to my father to keep it for me so I can go back to school, He spent the money without even caring about my feature, all my hard work and my savings. As a wretched girl, he betrayed me. I never stopped dreaming. I used to go to school barrefoot, with ripped clothes, I slept one day under the rain in a red mod and was covered with dirt allover. I have to come home, wash that school dress and wear it again the next morning. I had no shoes to wear.
Art is my life, and I am not afraid to talk about my journey. A person without a story is probably not from this world.
I am grateful for everything, and I don't complain; life is beautiful!
MODEFA, short for Modern Ethnic Fashion Week, is a place to celebrate cultural diversity. I started this journey back in 2010 in Sausalito, CA and launched it in 2013 at the Museum of the African Diaspora. This is a benefit event to help raise funds and establish an institution here in San Francisco that specializes in African arts.
I consider myself indigenous, a minority and I rely on people and individuals just like you. If you feel like you want to help for a cause, please support my work and come to this year's MODEFA event; you will not regret it. This only happens once a year, which shows that I'm doing this not to make money but to raise money for the academy. I need any help I can get from anyone who feel like they want to be part of this great cause.
I am not here to compete with anyone but to only work on myself, better myself, and learn as much as I can. I am grateful for those who have helped in the past and who are still loyal to this great cause.
Thank you very much and God bless you!
To learn more, please go to africanartsacademy.org/modefa
There is also a silent auction that is available for anyone who would like to participate.
Cheers!
