St. Louis · Lagos
Emerging brands. Bold heritage. Global futures.
A platform and community for Afrocentric creative businesses — building trade, not charity, between African makers and the U.S. market through curation, capital, mentorship, and a trusted marketplace.
Our Philosophy
“The African creative economy is not an emerging market; it is an underestimated one. We are not asking the world to pay attention to African creativity — we are making it impossible for them not to.”
— Isioma Ezepue, Co-Founder
What We Are
Zeeoma began on a simple conviction: not everyone will travel to Lagos, but everyone should be able to experience it. As the first Black-owned curated African concept store in St. Louis, Zeeoma carries established and emerging African designers across fashion, art, beauty, and home.
The Collective — our not-for-profit — runs the mission through the Three Opens: the Open Door (discovery and intake), the Open Dialogue (signature dinners), and the Open Drive — our Rooted & Rising fundraise, building trade between African artisans and young St. Louis business owners.
More About UsThe Two-Node Bridge
St. Louis — the American hub. The concept store, curated online marketplace, fulfilment, U.S. partnerships, and young entrepreneurs building their trade.
Lagos — the African launchpad. Talent discovery, open calls, cohort selection, and creative development.
The Open Drive · Now Raising
Trade, not charity.
Young business owners in St. Louis. Emerging artisans in Africa. One market. Every $5,000 funds a full cycle — a young person trained, a maker paid, a collection brought to market — and the sale it creates funds the next.
The Fundraise
Rooted & Rising is the Collective's fundraise — aiming to raise $500,000 a year, $2 million over four years, to scale the cycle and open a permanent St. Louis marketplace. Founding partnerships start at $5,000.
The story comes together at the Rooted & Rising Gala — Saturday, November 8 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Individual gala tickets are $300, with sponsor tables available.
Explore Rooted & RisingThe Programs
Four engines and a calendar of signature experiences that turn creative excellence into commerce.
A structured, public open call for Africa’s most compelling creative brands — mentoring, a live pitch day, seed capital, and a listing on the U.S. marketplace.
The Gala Night fundraise — runway, live auction, on-site marketplace, dinner and music — building trade between African makers and young St. Louis entrepreneurs.
An invitation-led table featuring top iconic African brands in the U.S. — the most recent edition was Dinner, Dress & Dialogue.
A curated U.S.-facing retail store and e-commerce channel where selected brands sell to American consumers seeking what Africa produces.
Readiness training, storytelling, and coaching from a rotating faculty of founders, curators, and industry experts.
A tiered path from Community to Cohort to Marketplace to Anchor — enter at your level of readiness and progress on merit.
The Open Door · Lagos Edition
Back the Drive
It puts an African maker on a shelf and a young St. Louisan behind the counter. Gifts are tax-deductible through the YouthBridge Community Foundation, our fiscal sponsor.
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