Bellen Woodard 

If someone asked you to hand them “the skin-color crayon,” which color would you give them? 

When Bellen Woodard was eight years old, a classmate asked her for the “skin-color” crayon. She knew the friend was asking for a peach crayon. Even so, she also wanted her classmate to realize that not everyone’s skin is peach. 

This brief interaction in school has led Woodard down a path that no one envisioned, one that brings awareness about the many beautiful skin colors. She is the creator of the More than Peach Project, a first-of-its-kind multicultural crayon company. Since then, Woodard has been nominated for TIME magazine’s Kid of the Year and named in The Root Top 25 Futurists. Her adventure has led to changes in the crayon industry. 

This now-11-year-old entrepreneur, who skipped a grade and is in seventh grade, is enjoying the recent release of her debut picture book, More than Peach. In the book, she shares the story of how she saw an awareness gap in society and wanted to change that. From when she first felt confused in her classroom to when she learned how to take action, the book will inspire young readers to make a difference in their own communities. 

More than Peach is a visual picture book for kids that encourages them to be in the moment. 

It spreads Woodard’s message of inclusivity, empowerment, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of leaders. Readers can also learn how to become leaders in their own communities, or the world, just like the young author. 

Bellen’s More than Peach company is a growing brand, which includes crayons, a sketchpad, colored pencils, Crayon Activist® Gear, the educator’s curriculum resource, coloring books and the new More than Peach vinyl sticker, and now her children’s book, More than Peach, published by Scholastic. 

“I also have more products coming in 2023, and a new book that I’m very excited about,” Woodard said. 

The new picture book is one that Woodard hopes will inspire young readers. 

“I hope kids can see in the story the power of “kidhood” and celebrate that,” Woodard said. “I love that there’s guidance in the back of the book so kids have help making plans to grow and contribute to their own spaces and maybe make their very own projects or even start a movement. I think once you’ve become a part of the ‘skin-color crayon’ conversation, the expectation is that you understand that skin is many beautiful colors and that we have to be careful about seeing things through a single lens. If we do, there’s so much we would miss, and the world is just too colorful for that. So hopefully, it helps make better spaces for all. I think that’s pretty powerful.”

As she started this new venture, Woodard wanted to offer crayons that represented all kids. 

“But what confused me most was that one crayon, only one, was being called the skin-color crayon,” Woodard said. “I decided to take action to grow thinking and, yes, I also wanted people to see the beautiful choices, because there’s definitely more than one shade of peach and brown in skin tones.”

Woodard decided to create Bellen’s More than Peach Project because she saw the importance and she wanted to change the conversation. “I thought that if I was seeing and experiencing that, then lots of others could be, too. So, my goal was to create crayons that could finally help change that.” 

Written for children ages 5-7, More than Peach tugs at readers’ heartstrings and inspires them to make a difference. 

“I hope kids take away that they can definitely trust their ability to make big changes and their instinct. I hope adults see it as inspiration to listen to kids and trust them, too. I hope the book helps make even good spaces, better.”

“Once I decided to make what would become the first all skin-color’ art and crayon brand, the goal was that it would really empower students and to do something with crayons that just hadn’t been done before: to change the language. I wanted my crayons to have a love language all their own and to grow perspectives. When I learned the flesh crayon had actually been named flesh by a brand, I knew it was so important to create this brand that started with big change and that would be a voice for every kid.”

Woodard’s story has captured the attention of the national media. She has been featured on The TODAY Show, Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition, The Kelly Clarkson Show, People, The Washington Post (twice!), TIME for Kids, E! News, The Root, Mother.ly, Black Enterprise, Just Jared Jr., and others. Many adults get nervous being interviewed on TV, but Woodard does it like a pro. “Once I get started, I’m not really nervous,” she said. “I just try to remember the importance of the message and my goals.”

As young readers pick up the book, Woodard hopes to inspire them, she said. 

“I hope kids take away that they can definitely trust their ability to make big changes and their instinct. I hope adults see it as inspiration to listen to kids and trust them, too. I hope the book helps make even good spaces, better.”

Becoming a young entrepreneur was a surprise for Woodard. Even though it’s a lot of work, the process has already had a positive impact on her. “It’s made me trust my intuition even more and definitely allowed me to stretch and learn more about what I can do,” she said. 

There have been many amazing experiences along the way.

“I’ve had so many great things happen,” she said. “It’s been a huge honor having my crayons in so many classrooms, where it all started. And it’s also been really cool having them curated into museum exhibits and that they’re now held there permanently. The book also means a lot. Knowing that generations to come will be able to connect with my story and crayons, and my company—whether it’s in classrooms, museums, walking in stores, or reading my story, feels pretty incredible.” 

Woodard strives to balance her new business with her family and school life. 

“My time is actually pretty balanced,” she said. “I’m a ballet dancer and just went en pointe this summer which I’m very excited about so balancing that with business does take work. My parents always step in to make sure I’m a kid first, so just like most kids, I spend a bunch of time with my friends just doing what kids do. You know, the pool, sleepovers, traveling—those kinds of things. Oh, and I also have two beagle mixes that I’m crazy about. I have a lot of support from my family. My parents and four older brothers are always close by.” 

Looking back on the past few years, Woodard said this experience has been life changing. 

“It’s been great seeing what I started as a project become a movement around the world. It’s changed an entire industry and I actually appreciate when I’m credited for what I imagined and was able to create. It’s been amazing seeing people all over the country, and now also from all over the world, connect with my story and crayons in such a meaningful way. One of the most surprising things was when someone shared newspapers from Germany celebrating More than Peach and applauding me for my work,” Woodard said. 

“I love that I continue meeting such amazing people including lots of inspiring kids but also people we all look up to like Ms. Lupita Nyong’o and Mrs. Michelle Obama and so many others. They inspire me and remind me that I’m doing the right thing. I can’t wait to see what’s next for me but I’m also rooting for the kids out there, too. You know, living life!” 

Learn more about Bellen Woodard at morethanpeach.com.