About B is For Black Brilliance
Who is B is For Black Brilliance?
At B is for Black Brilliance, we create joyful, engaging books and learning materials that celebrate the brilliance, creativity, and leadership of Black people. Our stories are rooted in real life and designed to reflect the beauty and depth of Black experiences. They’re created especially for children, caregivers, and educators who want to center representation in everyday learning.
Each resource is created by Black authors, artists, and educators, so Black children can see themselves reflected with pride, and so every household has access to tools that affirm Black brilliance.
Our work is more than just storytelling. It’s a movement to uplift the voices and ideas that have always shaped our world, and to make sure they are honored, heard, and passed on. We aim to spark deeper understanding, ignite joyful learning, and build a future where Black creators are fully recognized as the innovators, curators, and culture-shapers they’ve always been.
Our Vision
We envision a world where Black brilliance shines in every household, and Black children and caregivers live abundantly, joyfully, and freely connected to the power of their own brilliance.
Our Mission
Developed by Black authors and creators, our resources share real-world stories that reflect the richness of Black life—giving children and caregivers meaningful ways to connect with who they are and all they bring to the world.
Our Values
Brand values are the unwavering principles that guide a company’s growth and decisions, even when faced with new opportunities or challenges. They are the foundation to return to when expanding services, building new experiences, or navigating customer relationships.
Creativity and Joy
In our world, Creativity and Joy reign supreme and content must be infused with these vital components. We aren’t about occupying media space without having something fresh to say in a voice that uplifts Black brilliance.
Love and Liberation
We got each other. Our choices have ripple effects, and we honor that by showing up with care, intention, and trust. We work as a team—centering Black brilliance and making decisions that support both our collective liberation and the growth of this business.
CONNECTION AND CANDOR
Caregivers are the unsung heroes, carrying so much while wondering if it’s enough. Bis4BB holds space for both the effort and the gaps. We spark honest conversations grounded in truth, compassion, and accountability—because real change begins with real connection.
Simplicity AND gratitude
Elevating Black brilliance opens avenues for having real-talk with kids early on. Candid conversations act as a compass, guiding children toward a future where their decision-making power is wielded with Black brilliance in mind.
Our PRODUCTS
Working as a team of Black authors, creatives, and illustrators, we design and create educational resources and books where Black characters take the lead. We use our creative energies to address race, activism, self-love, and liberation to support parents and caregivers raising the next generation of Black and brilliant humans.
A Note from Our Founder
Shawna Wells
I’m an educator, a mom, a friend, and an executive coach.
I grew up in a world where Black brilliance was rarely visible—in books, in movies, or in the lessons taught at school. My school supplies often showed characters who didn’t look like me, and the heroes we celebrated were almost never Black.
When I became a teacher in 2004, I was surprised—and disappointed—to find that little had changed. I searched everywhere for books that reflected the beauty, creativity, and genius of Black life for my students. It took me back to my own experiences as a child, where Black brilliance was rarely centered or celebrated in the classroom.
The reality matches the statistics: in 2017, only 11% of children's books featured a significant Black character—and only a fraction of those were created by Black authors and illustrators. Just 2% of characters featured on backpacks and school supplies were people of color.I founded B is for Black Brilliance because our children deserve better.
We are here to educate differently—to equip caregivers, educators, Black children, and families working in true allyship with vibrant books, learning experiences, and tools that affirm Black history and celebrate Black futures.
Black brilliance is everywhere—and it’s time every child sees it, knows it, and lives it.
FAQ
I AM NOT BLACK, CAN I BUY THIS BOOK OR CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MOVEMENT?
Working as a team of Black authors, creatives, and illustrators, we design and create educational resources and books where Black characters take the lead. We use our creative energies to address race, activism, self-love, and liberation to support parents and caregivers raising the next generation of Black and brilliant humans.
