Creating community is important to us here at PROUDLY. To kick off Black History Month, we’re sharing a few of our favorite Black-owned baby brands.
Little Muffincakes • @little_muffincakes
Founded in 2017, Little Muffincakes offers high-quality baby essentials (like bibs, blankets, and pillows) for Black children adorned with images that look like them.
When owner Debra Raney was raising her son and twin daughters, she found it difficult to find products with characters that reflected the skin tones of her children. Years later when her grandson was born, she found herself in the same situation.
HarperIman Dolls • @harperimandolls
Being able to walk into a store and see a doll that looks like you shouldn’t be a luxury or, better yet, “a pleasant surprise.” It should be the norm. Created by mother-daughter duo Cynthia and Kathryn in 2017, HarperIman Dolls makes dolls for children of color that represent a wide range of skin tones and hair textures. We love the handmade dolls available on their website and are absolutely obsessed with the more affordable line they created for Target.
More Than Peach Project • @morethanpeachproject
Once upon a time and for many years, a single canyon was named “Flesh,” otherwise known as “the skin color crayon,” or “the peach crayon.” That was until then-9-year-old Bellen Woodard changed the game in 2019. Made with everyone in mind, More Than Peach Project offers multicultural crayons and colored pencils so that children of color can see themselves in their art.
Orijin Bees • @orijinbees
Orijin Bees, or “Our Representation Is Just Inclusion Normalized. Beautifully Empowering Every Soul”, began out of a desire for ethnic dolls that look like us, dress like us, and reflect the world around us. They celebrate the beauty of diversity by creating multicultural dolls with various skin complexions and hair textures (ranging from 3A to 4C).
Stina & Mae • @stinaandmae
Bibs, burp cloths, blankets––Oh My! Having difficulty finding a changing mat to keep her son from touching gross public changing tables, founder Mishell Ekunsirinde started Stina & Mae with just one product: the SAFI Vegan Leather Changing Mat. Since then, Stina & Mae has morphed into a baby goods brand that offers buttery soft, organic baby essentials and gift sets.
Upbounders by Little Likes Kids • @upbounders
Upbounders is a small business with a big ambition: to enable children to better understand each other and the world around them. Made for children ages six and under, Upbounders offers award-winning puzzles, board games, and flashcards that celebrate cultural and ethnic differences and encourage connectivity.
Pretty Please Teethers • @prettypleaseteethers
Founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, Pretty Please Teethers creates handmade everyday baby essentials––from pacifiers and classic teethers to teething flashcards, bath toys, and more. Since 2017, PPT products have been household staples that help our littlest loves develop coordination and fine motor skills, without sacrificing style or functionality.
And the best part? All seven of these awesome brands can be found at Target! Visit target.com or pop into your nearest store to shop!
