🚀 On Day 8 of #ScaleBlack for #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating Yelitsa Jean-Charles, Founder and CEO of Healthy Roots Dolls, who’s reshaping the $22B toy industry by ensuring Black girls see their beauty reflected in playtime. 🚂 Changing the Toy Industry- One Curl at a Time Growing up in New York, Yelitsa never owned a doll that looked like her. No curls. No caramel skin. No representation. So, she did something about it. As a student at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), she used an art project as her chance to reimagine Rapunzel—this time, as a Black girl with kinky hair. That idea became Zoe, the first Healthy Roots Doll, and from there she was off to the market. ⏩ Fast forward to today: Her Kickstarter raised $50K, followed by a $1.5M funding round—including a $1M seed round led by Lightship Capital. Now, Zoe and her Curlfriends are on Target and Walmart shelves nationwide, making diverse dolls more accessible. Also, earning her well-deserved recognition with notable partners like Procter & Gamble's My Black is Beautiful campaign, Parent's Best Toy Award (2020), and features in Forbes, NBC, and Essence. 🗣️ “Toys are social learning tools. When children see themselves, it shapes their understanding of worth.” – Yelitsa Jean-Charles With only 9% of dolls in the U.S. representing Black children, Healthy Roots Dolls is doing vital work to ensure the next generation sees themselves reflected in their toys. Through this representation, children feel seen, understood, and valued. Thank you for making #BlackHistory, Yelitsa. 🔥 #ScaleBlack is celebrating disruptors shaping the future—RIGHT NOW. Support self-love and confidence for the next generation at healthyrootsdolls.com. 🔗 Visit linktr.ee/... to learn more #HealthyRootsDolls #RepresentationMatters #BlackExcellence #DiversityInToys #Empowerment #ScaleBlack