St. Louis · Lagos
Belong. Earn. Build.
Zeeoma means “seeing goodness.” We aim to connect St. Louis youth with every ability, with emerging African entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship, trade, and paid learning opportunities-so both sides belong, earn, build.
What We Believe
“We believe every young person carries a gift worth seeing. When young people belong, earn, and build, they gain more than income — they gain confidence, purpose, and hope. It’s trade, not charity.”
Zeeoma — “seeing goodness” in Igbo
What We Are
Zeeoma turns talent into trade. We aim to connect young people in St. Louis and Lagos — of every ability — belong to a community that sees their gift, earn through real skills and real markets, and build careers, businesses, and futures.
That happens through creative and workforce training, youth-run marketplaces, and seed funding for young entrepreneurs — anchored by the Open Door (discovery in Lagos), the Annual Gala Drive & youth marketplace, and Dinner, Dress & Dialogue.
More About UsThe Two-Node Bridge
St. Louis. Where young entrepreneurs learn, curate, sell, and run the marketplace — earning real skills and real income.
Lagos. Where talent is discovered through the Open Door, and African makers partner in trade as equals.
The Open Drive · Now Raising
Trade, not charity.
Young entrepreneurs in St. Louis. Emerging entrepreneurs 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 Foundation's fundraise — aiming to raise $500,000 a year, $1.5 million over three 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 & RisingRooted & Rising · Youth Open Call
We’re recruiting the founding crew of Rooted & Rising — young people ages 14–24 in the St. Louis area who will learn, curate, sell, and run a marketplace of handmade goods by emerging African. Earn a $2,000 stipend, real business skills, mentors, and global connections — in just three days.
Learn More & ApplyAt a glance
The Programs
Four engines and a calendar of signature experiences that turn creative excellence into commerce.
A public open call that discovers talented young entrepreneurs — with mentoring, a live Pitch Day, and seed capital to launch and grow.
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 youth-run marketplace of handmade goods by emerging African entrepreneurs — where young entrepreneurs curate, sell, and earn.
Readiness training, storytelling, and coaching from a rotating faculty of founders, curators, and industry experts.
An inclusive, affirming community with mentors and wellbeing support — designed for every ability.
The Open Door · Lagos Edition
Back the Drive
It puts a young St. Louisan behind the counter and an African maker on a shelf. Gifts are tax-deductible through the YouthBridge Community Foundation, our fiscal sponsor.
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