Tulane based fair trade initiative benefits women locally and internationally

By Nayita Wilson
Contributing Writer

Operating out of a boutique set-up within Tulane University’s Lavin-Bernick Center for Univ­ersity Life, IN Exchange is setting itself apart as a nonprofit that’s advancing social enterprise and economic development across international borders.

Founded in 2007, Exchange has a two-fold mission, which entails giving artisans from near and abroad a platform to sell their products and ensuring that those artisans receive fair wages for their crafts.

The organization sells products from about 10 New Orleans based vendors, including the Bird Project, which develops and sells black bird-shaped glycerin soap to benefit agencies that are helping with oil spill clean-up in the Gulf of Mexico and bird rescue initiatives.

“I like working with IN Exchange because of their ethics. I appreciate their commitment to social entrepreneurship, sustainability, fair trade and to local makers!” said Tippy Tippens industrial designer for the project.

IN Exchange also carries a diverse stock of clothing, accessories, eco-friendly products and jewelry from countries such as Nepal, Kenya, China, Guatemala and India.

“A lot of our (international) artisans are women, so it’s giving them a lot of opportunities to do work in their homes,” said Katie Schmidt, director of IN Exchange. As a result, the economic opportunities are providing many single mothers with finances, which they are more than likely to spend on their children, she says.

One organization, Connexions, employs and trains women from poor communities in Kolkata. The India based company sold hand woven scarves made from recycled saris to IN Exchange.

On her second visit to the store, Cassie Lemon who works within Tulane’s Center for Public Service and former volunteer for the fair trade program at West Virginia Wesleyan said, “I think it’s great. I think that we need to start implementing it in other resources and goods.”

IN Exchange takes in about $100,000 in sales annually and relies heavily on outside donations to sustain operations.

The organization executes its fair trade practices through cooperatives and partnerships with wholesalers. Schmidt said the core benefits to artisans include, fair wage, increasing income and allowing artisans to reinvest in their communities.

As part of its mission, IN Exchange also educates students and social entrepreneurs about social enterprise. This summer, the company is offering scholarships to four students who will travel abroad to learn fair trade.

This article was originally published in the January 16, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper