As Mali’s Independence Day approaches, this collection pays homage to the resilience, labor, and entrepreneurship that have defined the Malian diaspora.

When Mali gained independence from France in 1960, young people were eager to build a self-sufficient nation and a united Africa. But political tensions and instability shifted that vision. Many of our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles left home, traveling thousands of miles to France, the U.S., Canada, and beyond in pursuit of the futures they once imagined in Mali.

In these new and unfamiliar lands, Malians rebuilt from the ground up, adapting to new cultures, climates, and languages. In New York City especially, many found work as hair braiders, taxi drivers, and small business owners—laying down roots through labor, community, and sacrifice.

For women, the nature of work differed at home and abroad, but the weight was the same. Whether managing a household of twenty in Bamako or running a small business in Brooklyn, Malian women embodied determination and endurance in every setting.

This collection honors those sacrifices and ensures their stories live on. We pay tribute to the generations who put their dreams on hold to support families both here and back home. As members of this new generation of Malians—and of the wider African immigrant story—we carry their sacrifices with pride.