Ojala was born out of a desire to have a place, physical and spiritual where I could turn to as I remembered my identity and ancestors. What I have curated is a group of products that have helped me find my way. I hope they help you too...
The Taínos were the first peoples to have contact with Columbus. But before his arrival we inhabited modern day Cuba, Trinidad, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico for 7,000 years. The symbols that make up our logo represent our identity. It is how we choose to start the conversation.
Pereskia Quisqueyana aka la Rosa de Bayahibe is the national flower of the Dominican Republic, where the kingdom of the Tainos was located.
It is actually a cactus, but one of the few that has leaves. La rosa is endangered due to a loss of habitat but has begun thriving since its uniqueness was recognized.
We chose this flower as the bohioor home for our logo because so often what is right before us, is special. We just need to realize it...
Agua- Huracán
Huracán is the root word for hurricanes. Its spirals represent the storms that certainly battered our islands in pre- Columbian times.
The symbol was used interchangeably to represent water. Agua is life. Water connects, forms shapes and destroys at will.
At Ojala Threads we honor water sources by using inks that are water based, and white fabric, to avoid toxic dying practices.
At four months old my nephew Jadiel was diagnosed with meningitis. This inspired me to share with him everything that I had learned about our identity as Dominican, American, Taino, African and European. I began with a simple desire, to make him a baby onesie.
Within a year Jadiel was wearing our first design, Folklorico.
Our Baby Bodysuits
Our onsies reclaim our stories while honoring our roots and ancestors. Each design envelopes your baby in the warmth, and security of recognition and acceptance. We believe the right design will choose you, let it.
Clothing, accessories and my favorite books are here to answer questions like "what relationship did Tainos have with the stars?" or What top would make my outfit Taino, but urban, but 21st century?"
I've learned over the last decade that we have some bossy ancestors. My grandmother passed on from COVID-19 and within a month she demanded that I make her a velon.
The Atabey Velon was my response. I hope she brings you some answers too.
Your purchase supports our "Doing Good in the hood" efforts.
In addition to outfitting babies with pride, we believe in creating the societal infrastructure necessary to ensure they thrive!
We donate a portion of our proceeds to change makers around the world. Our face gaiters benefit Citymeals on Wheels. Our Coqui Face Mask benefits Navajo/ Hopi COVID Relief.
Locally we advocate for reform in the areas of public transportation, criminal justice reform and public housing. Our efforts contributed to the adoption of half price Metrocards, and the closure of Rikers Island by 2026.
Our contributions to our local community, and economy, earned us the Minority Owned Business Award for 2020 from the U.S. Small Business Administration New York District Office.
Not only do I love the print, though having a newborn she spit up on the onesie. And the bodysuit did not stain! While I treated the spit up with some cold water and laundry detergent, I was pleasantly surprised the bodysuit was like new after being washed. No evidence of the spit up. So in addition to being stylish these bodysuits are sturdy. Exactly what parents to a newborn need. Also the fabric is so soft and love the sizing fits real sized babies! It’s even environmentally mindful with use of dyes that are not harsh for baby or Mother Earth. What’s not to love.
What a wonderful story and the pages are colorful and delightful looking forward to reading the book during story time for my grandson and other children.