Designers4Africa was founded in 2009 by jewelry designer & painter April Star Davis with the hope of creating change & empowering women in the goal of self sufficiency.  Since its inception. D4A has provided designers and artist the opportunity to create change through creativity taking their talents & together as a group these talents raise much needed funds. D4A inspires and enables artist , designers and private individuals the opportunity to assist the people of Sub-Sahara Africa in the ongoing development of health care, education and independence.

Through her volunteer work in both refugee resettlement & with The South Sudanese Community here in San Diego Calif  April became interested in providing assistance to women & children of Africa as well as refugees resettling here in the USA.

In mid 2009 April traveled to Uganda (at her own expense)  to teach women widowed & suffering with HIV jewelry design & fabrication & to assist in the development of women – owned business. Upon her return she started the legal process of making D4A its own 501 ( C ) 3 tax exempt non profit. D4A was an idea that had been in the works for over 5 years & at the encouragement by noted Humanitarian John Prendergast April decided once again to fund this process in order to then see the simple dream come true. People donating items as a group that are auctioned off & turned into life changing projects both locally & in Africa.

After volunteering for years April had told Mr. Prendergast  “I just want to quit jewelry & work to help others” Mr. Prendergast advised her to work within her own field to get help where its needed. So D4A was born.

The unique quality of an org that helps not only in Africa but locally in the USA is something that separates D4A from other non profits. Both Prendergast & April had volunteered at The San Diego South Sudanese Center & wish to help refugees to be successful in their transition to becoming United Stated Citizens.

Founder April S. Davis speaks about 6min into this video