For Humber alumnus Takiyah Wedderburn, connecting with children has always come naturally. Growing up as the youngest in her family and having experienced some bullying in school, she learned firsthand how powerful it can be when a young person feels seen, accepted and understood. 

That instinct – to support and empower confidence in children – would eventually shape her life’s work. 

After spending several years as a Child and Youth Practitioner, Wedderburn began to notice a gap in Ontario’s child welfare system. She grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of culturally relevant resources and services available to Black children and youth. 

In 2015, driven by both frustration and purpose, she founded Natural Kids Movement (NKM). The non-profit was built on a simple but powerful idea: culturally sensitive care matters. NKM provides Black children and youth with care packages, books and dolls that affirm identity and build confidence. 

One of the organization’s most impactful initiatives is its Interactive Black Hair workshop. 

 “We also offer three other workshops which range from mental health, self-image, confidence, hair bullying and Black skin care,” says Wedderburn. “Our interactive Black Hair Care workshop includes mannequins with Afro/curly textured hair.” 

These sessions create space for meaningful connection. “It’s a session where I could engage with the youth as well as the foster families, talking about Black hair care, Black skin care, and some of the challenges that Black and biracial children may face.” 

Her vision gained new momentum after completing Humber’s Entrepreneurial Enterprise Business Management program. Through research, mentorship and hands-on learning, she refined her business model and strengthened her growth strategy. She participated in Humber’s Longo Be Your Own Boss Entrepreneurship Training program and BMO Launch Me program, placing third in the BMO Women Innovators Stream, and later returned as a Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Capstone Sponsor. 

“What I learned at Humber definitely helped,” she reflects. “Getting access to funding opportunities and working with mentors and professors gave me the confidence to move forward with Natural Kids Movement and my doll business, NKM Dolls that have 100 per cent human Afro textured hair that can be washed and styled.”  

She is currently developing a prototype for her culturally affirming dolls. 

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. “There were months when nothing was happening – no calls, no emails,” she shares.  

But persistence defines her path. Now, 10 years in, increased exposure through social media and media outlets has brought steady growth and momentum. She was recently named one of the Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women by 100 ABCWomen and has shared her story on Breakfast Television. 

Today, NKM has donated more than 1,000 care packages, raised over $50,000, and partnered with more than 30 community organizations and child welfare agencies across Ontario. Through workshops and community partnerships, NKM continues to create care packages and educate foster parents and child welfare staff—ensuring Black children feel confident, affirmed and certain that they belong. 

Wedderburn loves the feedback she gets from her workshops. 

“Seeing the look on children’s faces and having them come up afterwards saying, ‘Wow, this workshop really helped’ make them feel more confident and positive about themselves and their black hair. It reminds me that doing this work matters,” says Wedderburn. “It’s very therapeutic.” 

To learn more about her non-profit organization, NKM, visit https://naturalkidsmovement.org/.