Hi! I am Rasha. Founder of the Hibiscus Society. I had a career in social media marketing for over 12 years. I have created The Hibiscus Society out of wanting to create a network between African female creatives, this transformed into wanting to platform and support African women entrepreneurs. In a way The Hibiscus Society sits in between those two strands. Earlier this year, I conducted fieldwork research with a group of Sudanese women entrepreneurs seeking refuge in Kampala. This was a part of my masters in anthropology degree which I received this year. During this time I learned that the women entrepreneurs in this context share many commonalities with entrepreneurs in other contexts. However, the environment they operate in is impacted by structural inequality that requires us to dedicate special support to them.

The Hibiscus Society is a collaborative platform designed to platform African women entrepreneurship, celebrate their creativity and support their efforts to tell their stories online. On this website you will find profiles about the entrepreneurs, their products, occasional promotional campaigns and ways to connect.

The Hibiscus flower holds a special meaning for different people around the world. From Africa to the Pacific Islands. The hibiscus (Roselle) flower is used in a refreshing tart drink enjoyed across Africa and the diaspora. Roselle Hibiscus looks nothing like the flower symbolizing the more common hibiscus flower nowadays. The influence of hibiscus in the traditions of African people demonstrates a beautiful commonality and connection between them. However each still retains a sense of uniqueness in a true portrayal of diversity. 

And that is some of what I aim to achieve with The Hibiscus Society. A space where our commonalities help us empower each other, while at the same time holding room for the diversity that makes us special.