About Woodcrafts by O'Banion

Woodcrafts By O'Banion was formed in June 2000 after its founders, O'Banion Gordon and Anthony Phillips, discovered that their products were becoming ever increasingly popular. Starting from their home office in Camden, NJ first supplied their products to local shops, schools, and community charity organizations. Demand soon outstripped supply.  Now, WBO sell products to shops and businesses all over the world. WBO uses the Internet for 90% of their incoming orders, making WBO a truly online company.

Founders

The partnership of these two brothers is one to be studied. Many of their family members and personal friends still question the reason why these two brothers stick it out no matter what obstacle confronts them. O'Banion's life of constant survival and participation in the movement as teenager with organizations that took the government and it's tentacles of enforcement to task partnering with the BMW driving, well-fed and protected suburban life-style of Anthony, who learned of his culture and the need for his participation through reading on his own and television while on a college campus. When they met, O'Banion was already prepared for Intellectual or Guerilla Warfare. Anthony was seeking a Garvey/Elijah Muhammad/ solution via love of self and economics.

While producing an African-Centered program at Glassboro State during Black History Month in 1981 for his Fraternity, Anthony was presented a gift by a vendor from Camden, NJ, named Raheem. Raheem was appreciative of the opportunity to come to Glassboro State and make a few dollars. The gift was a map of Africa with a clock. Each country was recognizable and the boundaries in place.

Anthony's spirit of entrepreneurism kicked in and he pursued O'Banion for 1 & 1\2 years before actually meeting him. This was due to O'Banion's economic situation and his fear to just go to Camden and ask somebody. The phone number on the back of the clock was out of service. Anthony was able to reconnect with Brother Raheem who made sure that the two connected. Anthony met O'Banion in 1983 at the Rutgers University Campus in Camden. O'Banion was the chairperson and founder of the university's very successful annual Kwanzaa event. They agreed to work together. They sold hundreds.

The two continued this partnership for about two years before officially forming a business partnership. The two worlds began to mesh together, especially when Anthony moved to Camden in 1988. It was a rocky road with many ups and downs, both personally and professionally. After a year-long separation due to economics, Anthony invited O'Banion to attend the Historic Million Man March in 1995. Following that spiritually moving event, O'Banion stated he was ready to get back at it, the two vowed to not let anything stop them from being successful with this business TOGETHER. They are very grateful and indebted to all the individuals whose expertise, moral support and financial assistance have helped to sustain them.