About The Founder
Meet Dr. Jayé McNair Obaseki
Teaching Artist. Cultural Curator. Legacy Stitcher.
Dr. Jayé McNair Obaseki is a visionary teaching artist, curator, and licensed educator who has dedicated her life’s work to empowering Black and Brown girls through the transformative power of sewing and the textile arts. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in fashion design, costume construction, doll-making, quilting, and fiber arts, she is the founder and creative force behind Brown Girls Sew, a dynamic intergenerational program that blends culture, creativity, confidence-building, and skill development.
A passionate educator and multi-disciplinary textile artist, Dr. Jayé approaches sewing as both an art form and a movement, a powerful blend of technical mastery, cultural preservation, and emotional healing. Her unique pedagogy has been shaped by decades of work with children across the United States and abroad, and she brings the wisdom of tradition and the energy of innovation into every thread she touches.
At the heart of Dr. Jayé’s work is a deep reverence for African textiles and the storytelling power of fiber. She draws aesthetic and spiritual inspiration from Yoruba masquerade rituals, Adire fabric-making, and the enduring artistic legacies of icons like Faith Ringgold, Harriet Powers, Carrie Mae Weems, and Kara Walker. These influences are intricately woven into the fabric of her programs, creating spaces that are not only artistically rich but also deeply empowering.
Credentials and Commitment
Dr. Jayé holds certifications as a licensed art teacher in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With more than two decades of experience working with youth, she has launched successful pilot projects and community collaborations that use sewing as a tool for character development, healing, and cultural pride. Her academic background and research also reflect a committed investment in the development of Black and Brown youth through art-centered education.
She believes that sewing is more than a craft, it is a soft science and a social movement. Through needle and thread, children enhance their understanding of mathematics, spatial reasoning, patience, and design thinking. They also gain vital life skills such as discipline, resilience, and creative problem-solving. For Dr. Jayé, a stitch is never just a stitch, it is an act of intention, self-definition, and legacy-building.
Why She Created Brown Girls Sew
Dr. Jayé founded Brown Girls Sew to bridge generations, uplift cultural traditions, and build a pipeline of strong, expressive, and confident girls. Her programs ranging from intimate healing doll-making workshops to vibrant summer camps and quilt projects are rooted in the belief that every girl deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.
Through Brown Girls Sew, she provides:
- Safe, affirming spaces for Black and Brown girls to explore identity and purpose
- Artistic mentorship through sewing, quilting, and textile exploration
- Life-skill education that nurtures self-esteem and academic excellence
- Community-building experiences that connect girls with their heritage and with each other
Her work invites students to reflect, create, and evolve, empowering them to craft their own stories and shape their own futures
Her Guiding Philosophy
“Every stitch holds a story, and every girl has the power to craft her own path.”
“We don’t just sew—we transform.”
“Sewing resistance, stitching legacy.”
Want to get in touch?
From elementary schools to women’s circles, from city classrooms to cultural institutions, Dr. Jayé has touched hundreds of lives by threading creativity with purpose. She believes the revolution is threaded and every young girl who enters her classroom becomes part of that revolution.