Black affirmation coloring books are a new hands-on item encouraging young Black boys and girls to continue to love themselves around the world.
The “I like who I am” affirmation coloring book is just one of many created by artist Eric Colson aimed to build up the Black community.
Colson is a Jacksonville native who has lived in Florida all his life. He says that a history of poverty and violence inspired him to make a difference in the community.
He credits conscious artists such as Tupac as a prime source of encouragement.
According to Ripple Kindness.org, as students color, they read and repeat mantras that reinforce good behavior, nurture friendships, and improve self-esteem.
In Tallahassee, Colson has made it his mission to find a way to uplift young Black girls and boys to be confident in themselves.
“My whole objective in life is to bring about change, to bring about awareness, of our people,” Colson said. “To let our people know you can do anything you put your mind to, you are somebody, you’re beautiful, and that’s for the brothers and sisters out there.”
The ‘I like who I am’ affirmation coloring books come in different styles for different occasions. There is one style each for boys and girls, featuring 15 pages of coloring pages and inspiring messages, front and back on each book. There is even a style called “Shades of Greatness” which features different prominent Black leaders including Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, and Malcolm X. Colson says he started drawing when he was 7 years old.
“It started in grade school, being in art class. From there I was able to get in different art shows, and so forth, and I just kept it going,” Colson said.
Saniyah Desiree, a Tallahassee resident, said that she thinks the coloring books are beautiful.
“When I was younger I used to go to a predominately white school So you know I would always feel a little like an outsider and all that stuff and I always compare myself the others,” said Desiree. “I feel happy seeing this as a young Black girl.”
Community member Howard Brooks agrees that this can help young Black kids.
“I feel like this could boost their confidence, in the drawings there’s beautiful young Black women,” Brooks said. “I feel like it gives them like a sense, that the color of their skin doesn’t matter.”
According to Mindful Child Wellness, “Coloring books with positive affirmations are uplifting and can shift your child’s perspective, creating a positive mindset.”
This means that these books could essentially establish a positive outlook about Black people and Black excellence as a result of Black children using these books themselves. The Mayo Clinic adds that “coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress. It calms the brain and helps your body relax.”
Colson says that art and drawing is something that just came as a natural talent. A significant amount of trying and failing helped push him to where he is today.
When asked about where he wants to go from here, Colson says that he plans to trust in God to direct his path. As he reflects on his journey, he says that it was not a straight path.
“It was a lot of trial and error, but through our mistakes, through error, that’s where greatness develops,” Colson said.