Dear February.....

February is always a meaningful month for us at Colour Their World. It’s a time when classrooms intentionally lean into conversations about history and culture. We’ve had the absolute privilege of being part of those moments.

Over the past three years, we have connected with more than 4,000 children through author visits in elementary schools and public libraries. Each visit is a reminder of why representation in education is not just important, it is essential.

When I step into a classroom, I’m not just bringing books. I’m bringing lived experiences and possibility.

As an author who once sat in classrooms feeling unseen, I understand firsthand how powerful it is for a child to look to the front of the room and see someone who reflects them. Whether it be their skin tone, their story, or their voice. That moment can shift a child’s belief about what is possible.

Do I need to remind you that representation builds confidence ,expands imagination, and encourages empathy among peers.

Through partnerships with local school boards and public libraries, we’ve been able to share stories that open conversations about inclusion, diversity, and belonging. These partnerships matter. They allow literature to be more than curriculum because it becomes connection.

While February highlights Black history and achievement, diversity in education cannot be seasonal. Children deserve access to multicultural stories every month of the year. When diversity is woven naturally into everyday learning, it normalizes differences and nurtures understanding from an early age.

In all honesty, I’m looking forward to International Women in March as I’m preparing for something incredibly important.

On March 20 at Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax we will be hosting a workshop that provides an age-appropriate introduction to menstruation for young girls.

This topic is often whispered about, if it’s addressed at all. Many families assume schools will cover it thoroughly. However, the reality is that the education system often provides limited, surface-level information. Now we know when children don’t receive clear, thoughtful guidance, they fill in the gaps themselves —sometimes with misinformation, embarrassment, or fear.

We believe workshops such as this will reduce anxiety and shame, build body literacy and confidence and most importantly, encourage open conversation.

Children are naturally curious. So when we avoid important topics, we unintentionally send the message that those topics are uncomfortable or inappropriate.

If we do not guide the conversation, social media, peers, or misinformation often will.

That’s why I choose to be intentional in creating safe spaces through workshops and literature where we are doing more than teaching facts. We are building self-esteem, trust, and resilience.

Seeing over 4,000 children in just three years is not something I take lightly. Every handshake, every question asked during a presentation, every child who says, “That book reminds me of me”, it fuels my mission.

I’m deeply grateful to the educators, librarians, and school board leaders who continue to invite us into their spaces. Together, we are helping children feel seen, heard, and informed.

As February closes and March begins, our commitment remains the same:

To educate.
To represent.
To empower.