National Folk Festival 2016 Part 1

What is the National Folk Festival? The National Folk Festival (NFF) is a national festival that has been taking place in Greensboro, North Carolina for the past 2 years with plans  to be in our state for years to come.  Sponsored by the Arts of Greensboro and a host of other co-sponsors the NFF has been anticipated since the beginning of the year.  Check out the pictures below of the opening parade.  

The Arts of Greensboro

Did you know that Guilford County is home to North Carolina’s largest refugee population?  Moreover, the diversity of the population is truly astonishing. In Guilford County you can find individuals from more than 141 countries.  Wow, how diverse is that?!  All of this diversity is manifested at  the NFF every year.  We enjoyed performers of music and dance from across America with ties to North Carolina.  The NC Folk Life Area celebrated and showcased the living traditions of North Carolinians embracing the theme, One State, Many Worlds.  Have you ever heard of the Bahamas Junkanoo Revuew? Check them out below. 

Bahamian Parade

​The NC Arts Marketplace, (where you could find us), featured hand-crafted creations from the finest artists and craftsmen in NC.  If you had a chance to stop by our booth  you were able to not only catch a whiff of  how divine our area smelled with our natural essential oils looming in the air, but you were also attracted to our art, handmade jewelry and accessories that embraced our booth.  It was as if you stepped into a little piece of me.  :-)

Nailah's Shea's Booth at the NFF

Speaking of me, my name is Camilia Zuleikha Majette and I am the Founder and CEO of Nailah’s Shea, LLC.  I was born in Washington, DC and raised in a small town in NC called Ahoskie, I journeyed to Greensboro, NC when I was 18 years old to pursue my undergraduate degree at NC A&T State University in Journalism and Mass Communications, I have since graduated with a Master’s in Health Services Administration and I now call Greensboro my home for 16 years. 

My diverse and multicultural background starts with my father’s love for travel and humanitarian work. He is African American with Tuscarora Native American decent and originally from a small village in North Carolina called Rich Square.  My mother is an American citizen of Zanzibari descent whose origins and ancestry can be traced back to Zanzibar Island, Tanzania (East Africa), Oman, Baluchistan and Pakistan.  I've had the opportunity to travel to several African countries as well as the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. I have met with the finest crafters and artist in these regions.  I take pride in learning from them and sharing their work with you.  

Camilia of Nailah's Shea

Our next entry will be about “Meeting you at the National Folk Festival.” Take the journey with me! I look forward to your thoughts and comments ~ Camilia