Salon #11 – Medea Benjamin and Coumba Toure

Presentation title: Gift economy as a Political Practice.

Panafricanist. a feminist, and artist. Born and raised between Mali and Senegal, Coumba Toure is a writer and storyteller. She publishes children stories and organizes art events targeting children’s minds through Falia. She also designs popular education programs with a focus to impact women and children. Coumba is the chair of the board of TrustAfrica and Aci Baobab as well as the co-coordinator of Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity. She has extensive experience in facilitating meetings internationally, engaging young people, designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs to promote human rights especially those of women. She has worked with organizations such as Ashoka, the Institute for Popular Education in Mali, the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement in Selma Alabama, and the Youth for Environmental Sanity in Santa Cruz California. She is a member of the African Feminist Forum and the Per Ankh collective. Coumba has served on the board of Urgent Action Fund for Women in Africa. Coumba is a loving mother, a sister, and a daughter to many.