I started creating to feel closer to my father, Ekow, who passed away. I have learned so much through this journey - reconnecting with him, reconnecting with myself, connecting with my ancestors and those who protect and guide me.
What have I learned? Relationships with those both here and gone - connection, love, growth, healing, happiness - is all a discipline. We need to work on the things we want, we need to fight for them. The world does not make it easy for us to survive, let alone thrive.
Ekow + Ama is a tribute to my father’s vibrant spirit and culture, as well as a reminder to love ourselves, to honor our lives, and to honor all of the life that has come before us. A constant reminder that just being is enough. Imperfection is a beautiful part of life, and this does not preclude you from love, relationships, care, peace, and joy.
With each piece, we honor our vibrant spirits and culture in the hopes that we treasure every moment and create joy - even in the most ordinary of tasks.
ORIGIN STORY
Hey there! I’m Denise, but you can call me Ama.
I am a lot of things and I wear a lot of hats, but at the root of it all - I am driven by the strength and audacity of love, community, and a liberated, grounded, and authentic existence.
I am a dreamer, a storyteller, a cryer, a lover, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a foodie, and so much more - and I am still learning.
Echoing the wisdom of poet Sonia Sanchez, "You can't have relationships with other people until you give birth to yourself," - Ekow + Ama, has become a testament to this evolving self-relationship and an attempt to merge two worlds. One of existing systems and beliefs and the other of harnessing the capacity and skill to birth new worlds, and new beings, and allow dreams to take root and flourish.
OUR DESIGNER
join our little community
keep in touch, love - we can’t wait to see you again.