Hi! My name is Nia, and I’m an African American mom of 2 with a big dream and even bigger purpose. I’m creating a children’s touch-and-feel book that celebrates hair textures from cultures all around the world — coils, curls, waves, locs, braids, straight hair, and even beautiful bald heads for children with alopecia or undergoing cancer treatment.

This will be a high-quality, textured board book that allows children to feel the beauty of diversity with their hands.

There is no other book like this on the market.

I want to change that.

Why This Book Matters

Representation isn’t just about pictures — it’s about experience.

Kids don’t just want to see themselves…

They want to feel seen.

In this book, every page highlights a different cultural hairstyle, with real texture samples so children can touch and explore safely.

And for children who have no hair due to medical conditions, they get their very own page too — showing that they are loved, included, and beautifully represented.

As a Black mom, I know how powerful it is to watch your child light up when they see themselves in books.

THIS book gives that experience to kids everywhere.

Why I’m the One to Make This

For the last 8+ years, I’ve worked as a Community Habilitation Specialist, supporting children with developmental disabilities. I’ve spent nearly a decade helping kids grow, feel confident, learn through touch, and express who they are.

Every day, I work hands-on with children who benefit deeply from sensory-based learning — especially books that they can touch and explore.

This experience is the heart of why I know this project is needed.

I want all children —

Black, Brown, mixed, Asian, Indigenous, curly, coily, straight, or bald —

to see themselves represented with pride.

✨ What I Need Funding For

To bring this book to life, I need help covering:

• Illustrations (professional, inclusive, high-quality)

• Texture manufacturing (safe, durable touch-and-feel materials)

• Prototype samples

• Graphic design & layout

• Printing costs

• ISBN + barcode + distribution setup

• Donated copies for hospitals, schools & families

This project is completely self-funded right now.

As a single mom, I am doing everything I can — but I truly need help to make this dream real.

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How Your Support Helps

Every donation — big or small — helps create:

A book that celebrates cultural pride

A book that embraces Black beauty and global diversity

A book that affirms our babies’ identities

A book that includes children with hair loss

A book that encourages sensory learning

A book that will be donated to children’s hospitals, schools, and families in need

You’re not just supporting a book.

You’re supporting confidence.

You’re supporting representation.

You’re supporting children who deserve to feel seen.

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Funding Goal

My goal is $6,500, which covers the full production and first print run.

Any amount you give — even $5 — makes a huge difference.

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❤️ How You Can Help

✔️ Donate

✔️ Share this GoFundMe

✔️ Tag people and organizations who care about diversity

✔️ Support a Black woman author bringing something new into the world

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From My Heart

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you for believing in this book and the children it will reach.

This project is bigger than me — it’s for every child who deserves to feel proud of their hair, their identity, and their culture.

Thank you for helping me bring this dream to life.

— Nia✨