• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Culture

Donna Beasley Is Determined To Bring Multi-Cultural Stories To Children's Books—Here's How She's Doing It

The Chicago-based founder of KaZoom Publishing is on a mission to diversify children's stories by selling books centered on multi-cultural experiences.
By Lapacazo Sandoval · Updated October 26, 2020
There has never been a publishing company solely dedicated to creating timeless children stories that feature African-American and Latino characters, written by African-American and Latino authors for a company created and run by an African-American woman. But that’s about to change. Take note of the name Donna Beasley because the Chicago-based founder and president of KaZoom Digital Publishing and KaZoom Kids iStory Books has launched her subscription-based venture and like many inventions, that have revolutionized the world, it was born out of sheer frustration. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news. Unable to find a book that her six-year-old African-American niece could relate to and enjoy, Beasley decided to do something to change that and developed the platform inside the 1871 WiStem tech business training program.

Written by Angela Williams and Illustrated by Janine Carrington

KaZoom Digital Publishing’s mission is to bring greater diversity to children’s literature by creating books for the community, by the community. And “by community,” Beasley means the African, African-American and Hispanic communities; the authors of these modern stories are written and illustrated by those who share the same cultural thread.

Written by Nana Anna and Illustrated by Pamela Rice

In creating this interactive children’s book company, Beasley is venturing into an untapped but lucrative market. This could transform her into a wealthy woman, but success isn’t always measured solely in monetary terms. “These books — that depict the multi-cultural experience — offer kids of color an opportunity to see themselves reflected positively,” Beasley said. “Our mission is to bring greater diversity to children’s literature. Our books will engage a child with read-along audio, sound, music, touch and animation.”

Illustrated by Rich Lo

Each carefully chosen title is filled with whimsical characters and bright illustrations that delight, fascinate, but also touch on multiculturally sensitive issues like black hair and single parenting. Other stories chronicle inspiring tales of successes. Added Beasley, “If you are an African-American or Latino mother of young children you can seldom find children’s book that reflect your life, family and community.” She further notes, “There is a void in the publishing industry for multicultural children’s books. It is a startling fact that in 2014 only 5% of children’s literature included children of color. Yet our public school systems serve 40% black and Latino students. This is a similar demographic in urban centers nationwide.” KaZoom Kids iStory Books, a division of KaZoom Digital Publishing, feature ebooks for children ages three to eight and, with the KaZoom Kids iStory App, each child can read the story or have the story read to them via the touch screen with words highlighted for the read-along option. Beasley’s strong reputation in the field of advertising, marketing and publishing led her to connect with Chicago’s creative community who helped her build the first selection of books available in the KaZoom Digital Publishing and KaZoom Kids iStory Books’ library. Noted Beasley, “Writers, illustrators and book designers of all ages and ability levels answered the call to make a difference in the diversity of children’s books. Over half of our ibooks are by first time authors. We take great pride in opening up this industry to new and diverse talent. Our goal is to make these books entertaining and enriching for our young readers. We are absolutely thrilled and delighted about this product launch. We believe every child should see themselves and their community in a book. Our books help children grow up proud.” To learn more about KaZoom Digital Publishing and KaZoom Kids iStory Books subscription go to: wwww.kazoomkidsbooks.com.
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now