Growing up, Tee Way always had a love for drawing. She would grab any piece of paper she could find and start sketching whatever came to mind. One of her earliest memories is drawing cute little sunflowers and a sweet girl—one who didn’t look anything like her. The images she created were based on what she believed to be the “standard”—fair skin, straight hair, and delicate features. But Tee didn’t fit that mold.

With her beautiful brown skin, big coily hair tied with colorful bows, and her father’s proudly inherited big nose, Tee knew she was unique. However, she never saw kids who looked like her in the coloring books or worksheets she grew up with. It was as if they were missing, always there but not really seen.

This lack of representation planted the seeds for Raw2nz. Tee started Raw2nz to fill the void she experienced as a child—to change the narrative for kids who look like her. Black and Brown children deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shown in a positive light. Through Raw2nz, Tee wants to empower children of color by making them the heroes of their own stories, through hand-drawn illustrations that reflect their beauty and culture.

At Raw2nz, our mission is simple: to bring diversity into the world of art and education. We celebrate the vibrant and diverse world around us, showcasing the beauty of Black and Brown people in every crayon stroke, every page, and every resource we create. Education is where it all starts, and through our products, we aim to inspire creativity and representation for all.