KENT, OH – Jakyah Beatty, a 2018 alumna of the fashion merchandising program, is headed to Ghana for a sustainability project in the textile and apparel industry.
According to ABC News, approximately 15 million used garments arrive in Accra, the capital of Ghana, each week. Upon arrival, 40% of these garments are deemed unusable and are sent to the landfill. Beatty recently received a Fulbright Research Award to investigate the environmental, social and economic effects of overconsumption in the Global North on Ghana.
“I am most looking forward to immersing myself in Ghana's vibrant culture and learning from the innovative solutions being developed to address the challenges of textile waste. Ghana, the largest importer of second-hand clothing, presents a unique opportunity to study the impact of fast fashion and explore sustainable practices. During my nine-month stay, I will conduct interviews with retailers in Kantamanto Market, the largest second-hand clothing market in West Africa. Additionally, I plan to collaborate with the Kokrobitey Institute on innovative textile waste management strategies, focusing on developing local recycling programs, implementing industrial textile shredders, mechanical separation and chemical processing to dissolve or break down textiles. The goal is to create fibers that can be used in new apparel production. I aim to create a fashion show that highlights local designers and showcases garments made from both upcycled materials and regenerated fabrics, emphasizing sustainable innovation amidst the backdrop of textile waste. provide invaluable insights into the intersection of sustainability, fashion, and development,” said Beatty.
Beatty believes the courses she took during her time at Kent State ultimately led her to find her passion in sustainability in the fashion industry.
"One of the most impactful classes I took at Kent State University was Apparel in a Global Economy. This course significantly broadened my understanding of the complexities and far-reaching impacts of the fashion supply chain. I vividly recall a session where we watched a hearing about counterfeit apparel produced in China sold and ultimately landfilled in developing countries, and about the negative effects of fast fashion. This class helped underscore the severe pollution and socio-economic challenges developing countries face due to the influx of poorly made counterfeit and second-hand clothing. This class inspired me to delve deeper into understanding the global implications of the fashion industry and fueled my passion for sustainable fashion,” Beatty stated.
The Fulbright Program awards approximately 9,000 merit-based scholarships in the United States and more than 160 countries every year to accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields. With this award, JaKyah Beatty joins a distinguished array of changemakers who are fighting for a brighter future.
Learn more about the textile waste crisis in Ghana: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-12/fast-fashion-turning-parts-ghana-into-toxic-landfill/100358702
Learn more about the Kokrobitey Institute: https://www.vogue.com/article/kokrobitey-institute-sustainable-design