A love that changed the way I viewed the world.

As an interracial couple, my husband and I encountered plenty of racism and prejudice. But it wasn’t until our daughter was born that I noticed how much is centered on whiteness.

It was the moment I started looking at the world through her eyes. I noticed that she, along with other children of color, was invisible in the world around us. Books? Toys? Advertising? White.

Everywhere I looked, the message was the same: you don't belong.

And I refused to accept that.

I began collecting things (books, toys, art, etc.) that told a different story.

Then in 2001, I built my first business dedicated to sharing products and resources that reflected, celebrated, and included everyone.

A sweet treat that proved a point.

One of those products was Diversity Beans. The first time I experienced them, they caught me completely off guard.

What looked like ordinary jellybeans had a twist. The color didn’t always match the flavor, so I never knew quite what to expect.

My first reaction was to laugh. My second was to question what I thought I knew.

In that small moment, I saw how something so simple could show people something words alone often cannot. Not a lecture. Not a lesson plan. Just a jellybean that proves a point.

When the original creators were ready to retire in 2011, I acquired the company to keep the message alive.

A decade of growth...then backlash.

Over the years my business evolved, and Diversity Beans emerged as the product that could do the most good. Then in late 2024, I finally made a long-held dream come true — a partnership with Vector Industries, a nonprofit fulfillment partner that employs adults with disabilities. It felt like everything was coming together.

Then the national conversation shifted. The backlash against DEI gained momentum. Sales declined. Programs were cut. I watched something I had spent decades building start to shrink — not because the message was wrong, but because hatred had become so loud.

A sweet new direction.

I wasn't willing to let it go. In fact, I believe Diversity Beans are needed now more than ever. So I thought bigger. I found new ways to get Diversity Beans into more people's hands. Into homes, schools, and communities where the conversation actually lives. And I built a fundraising platform — so the beans could raise money, raise awareness, and do more good in the world.

That's when Good Jellybeans was born. A new name for the platform that carries Diversity Beans into the world. Good Jellybeans because that's what they are — and that's what we're here to do.

The dream hasn't changed. Just the reach.

Still the reason.