Meet the Founders
Duseigneur and Jimmi have been connected by the Pacific Ocean since birth, long before they met. With Duseigneur hailing from American Samoa and Jimmi from San Diego, their love for the ocean serves as a constant reminder of their deep ties to their roots and to each other. Upon discovering a lack of Samoan board books when they learned they were expecting their first pepe, they set out to create them for their growing aiga.
What started as a passion project driven by a deep desire to have Samoan board books in their home has blossomed into a beautiful community of like-minded parents and caregivers who want the same for their tamaiti. From our aiga to yours, fa'afetai tele lava.
illustrating in process
Anna Mayo (Bam Brooks)
Anna Mayo (Bam Brooks) is a Sāmoan visual and performing artist based in New York City who started making comics in the summer of 2021 and decided to never stop. Anna is so excited to be working with Pepe Faitau!
illustrating in process
Aurofa’i Pasi
talofa lava~ my name is aurofa’i (banana gold) and i am a mixed heritage sāmoan on tongva land. my queer audacity tells me i can do anything and this week its being an illustrator! i am excited to work with pepe faitau to help nurture language and community among our peoples.
Faitau Pi: The Samoan alphabet & O Le Aso Na Va’ai Ai Le Māsina I Le Lā
Dalcetta Palepale
Mother of two and Seattle based artist, Dalcetta Palepale, creates uplifting work that offers another space for Polynesians to feel seen and included. Weaving her Samoan and Tongan culture through her art, she hopes to tell stories that her children and children’s children can pass on.Pictured is her as a baby visiting her mothers mother, Tuaula K. Sivaivai, in her family's village of Fa’ilolo American Samoa. (llustrator of Faitau Pi: The Samoan Alphabet and O Le Aso Na Vaai Ai Le Masina I Le La).
O A'u Upu Muamua E 101 I Le Gagana Samoa Volume I & II and O La'u Tusi Lanu Uliuli Ma Pa'epa'e Muamua (My First Black and White Book)
Kerilyn Clarke
I am a māmā to my son Mākoha, based here in South Auckland, New Zealand and of Māori (Ngāti Porou) and Sāmoan (Letogo, Upolu / Faala Palauli, Savai’i) descent.Kreated by Kerilyn was created to showcase my love and passion for family and culture through digital art, intertwining my Māori and Sāmoan roots in the hope of inspiring and educating our community. (Illustrator of O A'u Upu Muamua E 101 I Le Gagana Samoa).
Counting Pe'a in the moonlight
Olivia Melvin
Olivia Melvin is a digital illustrator who brings vibrant, whimsical worlds to life. Inspired by her intuition, love of nature, and animals, she captures the wonder and magic of the world around us in every piece. Her art invites us to remember our inherent spiritual connection to the earth and all its beings.
Samoan Language Editor
Born in Upolu, Samoa, grown in Hawaii, Saipan and New Zealand, I'm a wordsmith, designer and developer currently in a long-term hyperfixation with the Samoan language and culture.
And sometimes I make art.