nonprofitspotlight
Making a Difference,
TOGETHER
Dawn Ellinwood Fosters Local and Global Interconnections
Dawn Ellinwood
by Linda Sechrist
buntu Hair Studio, a Zen-like salon in Solana Beach, is unique for more than its name. Owned and operated by Dawn Ellinwood, it has an unusual - ment of a meaningful mission. After determining that her business could serve as a vehicle to help effect global
U
change, Ellinwood set her philanthropic sights on contributing to several worthy causes before opening in June 2008. During her search for a salon name, she read a cookbook written by an Ethiopian man who had been adopted by a Swedish family. After traveling back to revisit Ethiopia as an adult, he wrote about his country’s spiri- tual philosophy and how it nourished the soul of his native cuisine. “When I understood that the term ubuntu emphasizes community, intercon- nectedness, sharing and generosity, I knew it was the name for the salon, and that any tips we received would go to helping others,” enthuses Ellinwood. Her per- sonal philosophy—“I am because we are; together, we can make a difference”—is taken from the words that former Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu used to well-being of others. Ellinwood helps to improve the well-being of others through Ubuntu’s sup-
port for Hope for Hossana, a project that provides healthcare and education to the people of Hossana, Ethiopia and surrounding communities; Aspire, an organization committed to making a difference in the lives of underserved and low-income young - tion, empowering individuals to lend directly to entrepreneurs in developing coun- program that encourages pre-teen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. “I chose charities that I feel connected to,” says
Ellinwood, who has adopted two Ethiopian children, coached girls in Girls on the Run and served on the board of directors of Aspire. For KIVA’s micro-loans, Ellinwood generally chooses women who need money to open a beauty salon. “I think I got my philanthropic genes from my parents, who believed in empowering people by giving them a hand up,” muses Ellinwood, whose salon also supports her environmental and fair trade philosophy of caring for the Earth and its inhabitants.
Ubuntu Hair Studio, 109 S. Acacia Ave., Solana Beach, 92075. Call 858-792-5959 or visit Ubuntu-
HairStudio.com. See ad on page 10.
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San Diego Edition www.na-sd.com
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