Not just friends…
Soul Sisters
After working several years in early childhood settings and witnessing firsthand the lack of diversity in books for children of color, Crystal and Ingrid made it their mission to make a difference. In 2019, they co-founded Black Girl, Brown Girl Books and began their journey into the world of children’s book publishing with the specific intention of expanding the representation of Black and Brown characters in early literature.
Crystal and Ingrid’s friendship story began in elementary school and has flourished for over 30 years. Both were born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, where they met on the playground at Figueroa Street Elementary School. Through the years, Crystal and Ingrid organically learned about each other’s background and culture and became more than just close friends. They shared family customs, history, and food with each other and grew closer with each shared experience.
Despite attending different high schools and colleges, Crystal and Ingrid both studied early childhood development and earned Master’s in Social Work. Their paths converged again in adulthood and the idea for Black Girl, Brown Girl Books was born. A shared frustration with the lack of representation of Black and Brown characters in children’s literature was transformed into a shared passion and realized dream.