WHO DO I SEE IN THE MIRROR?
Building Self-Love and Confidence
The Journey of Philly & Friends As a mother, entrepreneur and world. This lack of representation advocate for diversity in the stirred something in me. I wanted playroom, my journey with her and children around the world Philly & Friends has always been to grow up seeing themselves about more than just products; and others positively in the it has been about creating stories they read, the toys they something meaningful that will played with and the media they uplift, inspire and empower consumed. children, particularly those from That desire led to me writing my underrepresented backgrounds debut book, Who Do I See in the - for us, it’s all about raising Mirror? and the creation of Philly wholesome children with a strong & Friends; a brand that celebrates identity. diversity and inclusion through beautifully crafted, culturally The Birth of Philly & Friends: A inclusive products that empower Personal Mission children to embrace their identity The seed for Philly & Friends was and uniqueness. The heartbeat of planted when I was pregnant with our brand is the idea that every my daughter, whose nickname is child is special, worthy and full of Philly. As I searched for books potential. and toys that represented children like her - Black, beautiful and Who Do I See in the Mirror?: full of potential - I was faced A Story That Resonates with a stark reality. The shelves Our first book, Who Do I See were dominated by characters in the Mirror? holds a special and narratives that didn’t place in my heart. It is a gentle reflect the rich diversity of our yet powerful story about selfacceptance, following a little girl TURN TO PAGE 53 to read named Philly as she embarks on about the importance of EDIB in a journey to discover what makes schools
her truly special. In a world where societal standards can often define and limit our perceptions of beauty, this book challenges those norms and encourages children to look beyond the physical and celebrate the qualities that make them uniquely beautiful - inside and out. At its core, Who Do I See in the Mirror? is about self-love, identity and confidence. It speaks to the experiences of many children, especially those from diverse backgrounds, who might not see themselves reflected in mainstream media or literature. The feedback from parents, educators and children alike has been incredible. To know that this book has resonated with so many and is helping children to see themselves in a positive light is beyond rewarding. It reaffirms the importance of diverse storytelling and the need for books that speak to the lived experiences of children from all walks of life. The Broader Vision of Philly & Friends
While Who Do I See in the Mirror? is a cornerstone of our work, Philly & Friends is more than just books. We are committed to creating an ecosystem that supports the healthy development of children, from toys that encourage creative play to learning toys that inspire confidence. One of the most exciting elements of Philly & Friends is our African Queens Small World Play Puzzles. These puzzles showcase strong, influential women from Africa’s rich history, allowing children to play and learn about empowering female role models. Advocating for Change
As a brand, we are deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. These are not just buzzwords for us, but are woven
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