The Model is delighted to announce the appointment of Mabel Chah to its Board of Directors. Cameroonian born, Chah is an acclaimed singer songwriter, former asylum seeker, community activist, and business graduate who came to Sligo in 2013.
Before leaving Cameroon, Chah had enjoyed success with her Hip Hop band BAAM, touring Africa and making an LP in Paris. However, she was forced to flee her homeland due to serious civil unrest, and chose to move to Ireland because of its reputation for peace and tranquillity.
Despite living in Direct Provision between 2013-2015, Chah immersed herself in the artistic community – joining Sligo Gospel Choir, volunteering at The Model, and becoming part of SABONA Community Productions, a group that connects people from different backgrounds through the mediums of Art and Film. Chah developed a musical side to SABONA and went on to sing Amhrán na bhFiann, the Irish national anthem, at the opening of the All-Ireland Fleadh in Sligo in 2014.
At the invitation of The Model, Mabel developed Sligo Global Kitchen with founding artist Anna Spearman. Mabel was instrumental in taking SGK to the next level, building and connecting with new and established communities, through sharing meals from diverse cultures. Over the following years, Chah became the driving force of SGK, and with the continued support of The Model, the initiative grew to welcome hundreds of people from different backgrounds to come together to break bread and share their stories each month.
Mabel was awarded a BA in Business with the highest honours in 2019 and went on to secure a Bachelor Hons in Human Resource Management in 2020. She is currently completing a Master’s Degree at Queen’s University Belfast.
Speaking about the appointment The Model’s director Emer McGarry said “we are so pleased to welcome Mabel to our board, she brings fantastic musical expertise and knowledge, as well as a unique perspective on life in Sligo for our new communities. Mabel is an admirable woman, who came to Ireland alone and has now achieved a Master’s Degree, while also driving forward Sligo Global Kitchen, and developing her own outstanding musical career. She has a powerful voice when she sings and when she speaks, and we are honoured to work with her as we forge a post pandemic future for The Model.”