8-Year Old CEO Lil Dee Launches “My Friend” Plush Line, Empowers Brown Boys Through Representation and Positive Affirmations
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on June 16, 2021 This little businessman is proving to the world that age is just a number and that anyone can make a difference in their community if they just out their mind to it! Lil Dee is an eight-year-old CEO who does not let his age stop him from spreading positivity and building the confidence of brown boys in Ohio and all over the world. With the help of his family, he created his own company, Our Brown Boy Joy, to inspire and empower brown boys everywhere and let them know just how special they are. Inspired to make a difference and drive positive social change, Lil Dee and his team recently launched the “My Friend” plush line, plush dolls designed to be both a tool and toy that helps brown boys see themselves in a positive light. The My Friend plush dolls were designed with this in mind, and each plush doll speaks several positive affirmations, including: “Brown boy, you are joy.” Through playing with and interacting with these dolls, brown boys will not only see themselves represented but also hear special affirmations geared toward them, reminding them that they are special and extraordinary. “Brown boys should know they are wonderful, just the way they are!" Lil Dee says. The My Friend plush doll no only shares a positive message, but it also has a social justice message as well. After learning about Trayvon Martin’s killing, Lil Dee said that he wanted his plush dolls to wear hoodies, which signifies that clothes should never be used to justify bias or be viewed as threatening. He wants to change the way brown boys are perceived negatively because of their skin color or the clothes they wear, so the My Friend plush doll is dressed in a hoodie, a pair of jeans, and Timberland-inspired boots. Luciana Gilmore, Lil Dee’s mother and an educator who understands the importance of representation, helps him to inspire brown boys everywhere as the Creative Director of Our Brown Boy Joy. In her own words, “Our boys are extraordinary, and they deserve to have toys that reflect who they are.” This is exactly why she and her son created Our Brown Boy Joy. Through his company, Lil Dee seeks to tackle the problem of lack of representation in products and toys for brown boys. By creating toys that address this problem, Lil Dee hopes to boost the confidence and self-esteem of brown boys and help create an environment for them that is welcoming, comforting, and supportive. For more details and/or to support this brand, visit OurBrownBoyJoy.com. Also, be sure to follow the brand on Instagram @OurBrownBoyJoy If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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