“Caliefah” By Shiouwen Hong
When Caliefah, entrepreneur and a single mother of three young kids, discovers personal products like soap aren’t available through the food stamp program, she starts a soap business that becomes a movement in her community.
Caliefah, an entrepreneur and a single mother of three young kids, grew up in Compton. She began her business first out of necessity, fueled by her resourcefulness. She had been crafting things since she'd been a kid, and upon discovering that personal products like soap weren't available through the food stamp program, she saw an opportunity to provide for her family.
She grew a garden with vegetables and fruit to eat, and ingredients for her soap products. She taught her children the importance of using everything you have - a lesson that was passed on to her from her great grandparents. As her business grew, her community at Leimert Park became a pillar of support and motivation.
From The Director
The film came about in 2020 in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests. I went to Leimert Park to support and photograph the movement on Juneteenth. With so many people coming together to celebrate African-American legacy, I was taken by the incredible energy filled with art, music, food and joy. There I met Caliefah, a local entrepreneur with a magnetic smile. Caliefah began to share her stories of celebrating Juneteenth with her great-grandparents as a child, her passion for crafting homemade products and becoming a business owner...and from there the idea for Caliefah film struck.
Credits
Directed, Filmed & Edited by Shiouwen Hong / @shiouwenhong
Featuring Featuring Brazil & Maie / @brazilandmaie
Music by Cleod9 / @cleod9music
Sound Design & Mix by Scotty Beam & Cleod9 Music / @cleod9music
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