#representationmatters
One of my favorite commissioned projects I got to work on this year. HP asked me to create coloring pages that centered around diversity and inclusion. They gave me 100% creative freedom to do what I wanted and paid me well to do it. Download the free pages here.
It is so important to see color because every color has power and meaning. From a young age we assign certain behavior to particular colors without realizing that it is harmful and something we must unlearn. For this reason, I will always put black women and girls at the center of my work. I understand that dark skin is far too often devalued, misrepresented, and overlooked.
Two years after it was released my first published book made it to number ONE on the NYT Bestsellers List! I honestly cannot believe it. I knew when Grace chose me to illustrate this book that it would have a profound affect on me and anyone who embraced its message. Never did I imagine that it would be SO many people, especially at a time when systemic change and the eradication of racism is needed…where better to start than at home. Identifying that the world is a diverse place and how important it is that the books we read reflect that. I will always feel optimistic about the future because no matter how difficult things are currently, I have hope that the future generations will be better than us.
✨ Support Black Creators Beyond Black History Month✨
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As BHM comes to an end I had to share this message.
Plenty of large companies will have one kind of person they show and just showcase ethnicities during their respective “months” because of their company’s “aesthetic”.