There’s a new kid on the block!

Ten-year-old Bellen Woodard is not only the world’s first crayon activist, but she has also just become Time Magazine’s youngest “Kid of the Year” honoree reports Time for Kids. 

According to Face2Face Africa, after realizing that there was no crayon to represent her complexion, Bellen created her own multicultural crayons through her “More than Peach” project making her the world’s first crayon activist.


As the only Black student in her class, Bellen realized that anytime her classmates wanted the “skin-color” crayon, they were handed the peach crayon.

It was just after voicing her concerns and not being pleased with her mother’s suggestion to try alternative colors, that Bellen decided to take matters into her own hands.

The Virginia native used her savings to start the More than Peach project in Spring 2019 not even realizing that her attempt to create an all-inclusive multicultural crayon would spark a national movement.

According to Face2Face Africa, her initial goal was to donate multicultural crayons with bundles of art to more than 80,000 schools and classrooms in an effort to “change the language” about skin-colored crayons.

In March, The Virginia General Assembly passed the “Bellen Bill” to recognize Bellen and her project, according to her website. 

In addition to the legislation supporting her movement, “Bellen’s Palette Packet is housed in the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) where it is set to always be on display.

Gold medalist Simone Biles surprised Bellen with the good news that she was a Time Magazine’s “Kid of the Year” honoree.

“It feels really good because I want everyone to not feel dis-included and to know that they’re amazing just the way they are,” Bellen told Biles.

Bellen recently launched her own collection in collaboration with Boy Meets Girl USA designed by both Bellen and New York designer Stacy Igel.

For more information on Bellen’s More than Peach project, click here.