MADE IN AFRICA! (MIA)
The first African-American designer to establish its own African-based manufacturing company— a resource primarily aimed to manufacture high quality garments throughout the African continent and promote them aggressively in the U.S. “Butta” and “Made In Africa”. According to Dr. Releford, “These are the first of several lines that will showcase the craftsmanship, quality and diligence of the strong and capable African workforce. Although the continent faces numerous challenges, we believe that “Africa Needs Trade to Not Aid”…”

· Briefly tell us about yourself.

I am a native of Wagoner, Oklahoma and was raised in Los Angeles. I currently practice in Los Angeles where I specialize in diabetic limb salvage where people come to our office that are at risk of amputation. African Americans have the highest amputation rates in the country.The Diabetic Amputation Prevention Foundation was formed to address the proportionate number of African Americans experiencing amputations. Our mission is to help decrease the amputation rates in high risk populations around the world. We have projects domestically and abroad in the South Pacific Islands, in Costa Rica, Salvador, Brazil, as well as various parts of Africa. With poverty being the primary factor driving health care disparities I have developed an economic development model where African Americans can begin to use the power resources in Africa for economic development here in the US. This approach is commonly used by other ethnicities where the Koreans use affordable labor in Korea to project themselves economically around the world.

ÂÂ. Tell us about your product Made In Africa.

Made In Africa / Butta-" Bringing U The Treasures of Africa" is an apparel line officially launched in Las Vegas at the 2005 Magic Show. Our collection consist of primarily men's undergarments, boxers, boxer briefs, t-shirts, and lounge wear. Our products are made from the highest quality cotton. Our products are currently made in countries like Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Gabon, Benin, Senegal, Madagascar and others.

· What was your main motivation for doing this? What inspired you to want to embark on this project?

After years of advocating for the reduction of diabetes-related amputation as well as addressing other areas of disparity, I have found the need to place emphasis on the economic part of the health care problem. Rarely is the economic part of the equation discussed when recommending the adoption of healthier lifestyles i.e. more fruits and vegetable, adequate physical activities etc. Communities that have strong ethnic ties to their homelands tend to prosper much better here in the US Although Africa Americans have a collective buyer power well over $750 Billion, Africa Americans do not fair well in areas that show advancement and vitality. Consumerism is the order of the day. Africa Americans create enormous wealth for other ethnic groups at the expense and well being of our children and their future. Knowing this, I have made it a personal crusade to create an "alternative" business model for African Americans where we begin to link "economically" to
our home land for the betterment of Africa as well as African Americans. Africa on the other hand, has been characterized as this poor and desperate place while being the most resourceful continent of the face of the earth. Africa's enormous wealth is still pillaged at an alarming rate. According to the World Bank, in 2002, Africa was the most profitable region of the world, even more the China. The negative images of Africa have overshadowed the tremendous potential the lay dormant. My goal is to demonstrate what happens when we as African American link with our homeland economically. Even at this stage, we have employed over 500 Ghanaians when we negotiated a manufacturing deal for a major US retailer.

· How do you assure people of the quality of your products?

We have highly trained personnel at our various plants. Additionally, our US QA team members visit various plants to make sure that the final products meet the standards of the picky US market.

ÂÂ. How do you for see the growth of Made in Africa? Do you predict it to be like the next FUBU line of clothing?

We predict that Made In Africa will be much bigger that FUBU. We anticipate that BUTTA / MIA will ignite and awaken the spirit of the "sleeping giant". Once it is known that we can compete with other regions of the world i.e. India, China, Korea etc., in manufacturing, a sense of pride of knowing that we don't have to be confined to only the consumer part of the economic and wealth building equation.

ÂÂ. What kind of strategies have you developed so far in terms of marketing?

We have meet with several well known celebrities that want to endorse our product. We have a very strong marketing strategy where we will align BUTTA / MIA with major events throughout the US Product placement on videos, movies
etc are all in the making.

ÂÂ. What kind of publicity have you been getting for your product?

The publicity has been enormous. I have done numerous radio talk shows and newspaper articles 2006 is expected to be a very busy year with PR activity.

· What do you think could be an obstacle to African products making it globally?

Some of the challenges will be ignorance about Africa and its people. The media has been very successful in showing only images of war, famine, and instability. Africa is as diverse as any other region of the world. Additionally, infrastructure such as roads, financial institutions, cultural and language barriers may prove to be initial impediments.

ÂÂ. Your concerns about the China Market?

Because we control all aspects of the supply chain, ie. manufacturing, import / export, wholesale, warehousing / distribution and retail, outside influence is not as much a factor in the case of China. We are more concerned about China's influence in Africa.

· If you were to address people of African descents, what would you say to them about patronizing anything that is African?

I would challenge them to change the current relationship we have other ethnic groups where buy from them but wont buy from us. In economic terms this would be called a trade imbalance. This kind of "relationship" undermines the
ability to address health care, violence, and education. It weakens our capacity to bring order to our communities and to empower ourselves to be self-sufficient. Realizing that our initial "relationship" in most parts of the world was to be servants and build wealth for others. The need for an economic transformation is imperative if Africa and its children and to survive and greet the future better off than we are today.

· How do you find a balance between all these: ¦work, traveling and family?

This endeavor has required a substantial commitment of myself and as well as my family. Working16-18 hour days has been the norm since the inception of this project. My wife has given me the latitude to fulfill this dream. Her unshakable belief in me and my leadership has allowed me to focus on what we believe will not only change our lives but change the lives of others as well. My day begins at 4:30am with prayer and meditation. I am at the office at 6 am. I make international phone calls until about 7:30am. Africa is from 8-10 hours ahead. From 8-am to 9:30 am, I am working out vigorously with
jump-rope, wind sprints, calisthenics and weight training. I see patients from 10 am until about 4pm. The remainder of the day is working with the Made In Africa and Butta management team members. The day ends around 10 pm. Most weekends have been reserved for family activities. Although, work activities often finds it way in.

· How do you celebrate your culture?

I celebrate my culture daily. I sing jazz and blues. I play African rhythms
on my congas. I play a number of African instruments. I read about our heroes
which continues to inspire and endure the various challenges experienced by
any endeavor worth while pursuing. This helps keep me grounded and sane.

· Thank you Dr. ReleFord for your time and keep on with the good work!

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