August 25, 2015

Today, only 8% of children’s books have main characters of color, but about 50% of children in the USA are of color. These numbers don’t add up. RISD student and Social Enterprise Greenhouse Hub Scholar Yelitsa Jean-Charles’ Healthy Roots teaches girls of color self-love through education, diversity, and positive representation. If the toys we play with influence how we perceive ourselves, imagine the kind of impact we can have with a toy that aims to inspire and empower.

“Healthy Roots is a toy company that teaches natural hair care to young girls of color. We’re not just a doll—we’re teaching culture, identity, and love.”

We are excited to have Healthy Roots as one of our social ventures and help them launch their Kickstarter campaign with an event at our space last night. Get behind them!

Support Healthy Roots Kickstarter here | Read more about Healthy Roots journey with B Lab here

Yelitsa (second from left) and the Healthy Roots team.

Cayla Mackey
University Initiative Director

As the Social Enterprise Greenhouse University Initiative Director, Cayla helps college and university students get involved in social enterprise. The University Initiative is a program funded by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation Innovation Grant to retain students and recent graduates in Rhode Island through enabling them to work on and in social enterprises. Learn more about Cayla here or email cmackey@segreenhouse.org.