Jennifer Pierre is the co-founder of Melanites, the first ever line of boy dolls of color. She started the line after working at a community center and noticing something wasn’t quite right about the toys the boys had.
The toys weren’t accurately representing the kids who were playing with them, so that’s what prompted her to set about finding a way to truthfully represent the children in America. These dolls are thinkers, doers, makers, and performers and the aim is to bring confidence to kids from all heritages and backgrounds.
Her online fundraiser campaign was so successful that now the company is expanding to storybooks and games too.
“Our society has built a glass ceiling on young boys’ mind about what they can be when they grow up,” Pierre told Babson Business. “We are changing this by inspiring young children of color to feel empowered and valued in our society.”
Not only is she including children of all skin tones, she is inviting us to rethink gender-separated toy aisles and, essentially, the whole concept of ‘play’ itself.
Rise up! Share this piece.
