Neka Sawadogo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Neka, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
A legacy
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Taneka K. Sawadogo, and I am an international entrepreneur, creative strategist, and community builder passionate about bridging cultures, industries, and opportunities between Africa and the world. I’ve spent over two decades developing businesses, leading global initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of leaders, with a focus on fashion, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment.
I am the Founder & CEO of Fire On The Runway International, a global fashion and cultural platform that celebrates African and diaspora designers while promoting tourism and entrepreneurship. I also lead Global Hub Network, a company dedicated to creating sustainable business ecosystems and fostering cross-continental collaborations, and CausePulse, a fintech platform for nonprofit organizations.
What makes my work unique is that it’s deeply rooted in lived experience I began this journey at a time when I was jobless and homeless, yet determined to create something that would not only transform my life but also open doors for others. Today, my work reflects that mission: to use creativity, strategy, and connection as tools for empowerment, visibility, and lasting impact.
Currently, I am preparing for the 10th anniversary of Fire On The Runway with three international fashion shows across New York, Nigeria, and new territories , while also building communities through programs like the Let’s Lead Africa Young Ladies League and women-focused initiatives such as The Elevated Woman Brunch.
My story and my brands are about resilience, global connection, and building legacies that inspire others to dream bigger and do greater.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to tell me who I had to be, I was a young mother simply fighting to survive and protect my children. By the age of 21, I was a single mother of six, working tirelessly yet still facing circumstances that felt overwhelming. At one point, I became homeless with my children, moving from place to place, holding onto faith and hope while trying to give them some sense of stability.
During that period, I was convicted of a felony for child endangerment a charge that changed the course of my life. I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to fully defend myself, and it left me feeling powerless to the system. It’s an experience that stripped me down to my lowest point but also forced me to look deep within myself.
I felt broken, unseen, and labeled but I refused to give up. I refused to let that moment define the entirety of my story. Through perseverance, prayer, and sheer determination, I began rebuilding my life, brick by brick. That pain became my purpose. Those struggles became the foundation of my resilience and my ability to help others now.
Today, I stand as a testimony that your past does not disqualify you from your future. I’ve learned that even in our darkest seasons, we have the power to rise, to rewrite our story, and to use our experiences to inspire and empower others.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could that strength isn’t found in winning, it’s found in surviving. When I was at my lowest, homeless with my children and branded by a system that didn’t see my full humanity, I learned humility, empathy, and resilience in ways no accomplishment could ever teach.
Suffering showed me how to keep moving when there was no applause, no recognition, and no certainty of tomorrow. It taught me to value people over possessions, faith over fear, and purpose over titles. Success can sometimes make you feel unstoppable, but suffering reminds you that you are unbreakable.
Most importantly, suffering taught me to never judge another person’s story by the chapter they’re in because the same broken pieces that once made me feel ashamed became the very foundation of my strength, my voice, and my mission to uplift others.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I’m committed to, no matter how long it takes, is that impact must outlive us. My work is rooted in creating change that continues to ripple long after the moment has passed.
One of my greatest commitments is to build a creative arts school in Africa in memory of my late stepdaughter, Mahogany D. Webb. This school will keep her spirit alive by giving young people a place to dream, create, and unlock their gifts through the arts.
I’m equally devoted to the clean water and washroom project in Northern Tamale, Ghana, where we are working to build proper sanitation facilities for schools. This is especially critical for young girls ensuring they have clean, safe, and dignified environments so they can attend school consistently, even while menstruating.
And finally, my lifelong vision is to raise one million women leaders. I believe that when women rise, families, communities, and nations rise with them.
These commitments aren’t just projects; they are promises to my family, to girls who deserve opportunity, and to the next generation of leaders. No matter how long it takes, I will continue to build until these dreams become realities.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and every possession, what would remain is my faith, resilience, and love. Titles can be taken, roles can shift, and possessions can fade, but the essence of who I am a wife, a mother, and a grandmother (soon to 14 grandchildren by 2026!) will always remain.
What would remain is my story of survival and strength, the scars that shaped me, and the spirit that refuses to give up. What would remain is the love I carry for my family and the passion I pour into helping others rise.
And above all, what remains is the legacy of my late stepdaughter, Mahogany D. Webb. Though she is no longer here physically, her light continues to live on not only through her three beautiful grandchildren, but also through the vision to build a creative arts school in her honor. In this way, her spirit and impact will never be forgotten.
Even stripped of everything, I would still be a vessel of purpose, carrying love, faith, and legacy forward for the next generations.
And while my personal journey is anchored in family and resilience, my professional journey reflects that same spirit. I stand as the only woman and the only Black woman producing international fashion shows across two continents, in both the U.S. and Africa. That work, too, is part of my legacy: proving that barriers can be broken, ceilings can be shattered, and dreams can stretch across oceans.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fotrintl.com
- Instagram: neka_sawadogo
- Linkedin: Taneka Sawadogo
- Facebook: Neka Sawadogo
Image Credits
Ab Photos New York
New York Fashion Week
