American “Forbes” on Omenaa Mensah: a Polish-Ghanaian Power Player Connecting Art, Travel and Philanthropy
For years, Omenaa Mensah has shown that recognition, success and relationships can be turned into real help. Through the work of her foundations, together with her husband Rafał Brzoska, she supports the education of young, talented people from different parts of the world, develops aid projects for children in Polish children’s homes, promotes artists from Africa and non-European countries, and consistently builds bridges between art, business and philanthropy. One of her most important projects is a school in Ghana for children rescued from slave labour. TOP CHARITY, the largest philanthropic initiative developed by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska, has this year been recognised with international Eventex awards.
In an interview with Doug Gollan for American “Forbes”, Omenaa Mensah speaks about travelling to more than
75 countries, meeting artists, and how personal experiences, family roots and discoveries from different parts of the world influence the direction of her projects.
“Travel is central to everything I do. Each journey is an opportunity to discover new artists, cultures, traditions, religions and perspectives. I always try to get to know local creators personally - I visit their studios, speak with them and understand the context in which their art is created. It is precisely these experiences that influence the direction of Phenomenaa Gallery and philanthropic initiatives” - says Omenaa Mensah in her interview with “Forbes”.
The publication presents Omenaa Mensah as a leader who crosses not only geographical borders, but also cultural and social ones. At the heart of the story is art, especially African and non-European art, as well as the creators Omenaa meets during her travels. The article highlights, among others, artistic discoveries from Botswana, Ghana, Bulgaria and Peru, visits to local artists’ studios, and the process of bringing their work into wider circulation through Phenomenaa Gallery, one of the first galleries in Poland to consistently promote African and non-European art.
Ghana holds a special place in the conversation - Omenaa Mensah’s second homeland, the country of her family roots and an important point of reference for her social and artistic sensitivity. It is there that her personal story connects with the discovery of contemporary African art, education and humanitarian work.
The “Forbes” publication highlights the international resonance of the projects developed by Omenaa Mensah. It is
a story about art as a language of encounter, travel with a mission, and initiatives that connect creative, business and social communities across borders.
