Terry—who’s now an exceedingly polite and energetic 11-year-old—told her mother, Nakia Bowling, about an idea she had: to give out dolls of color to other black and brown girls who were less fortunate than she was, so they could feel beautiful and less alone.

I want my son to experience all there is to experience. I want him to be able to show his emotions to his friends, his significant others, his partners. I want him to grow up aware. I want him to grow up without needing to prove his masculinity. I want him to grow up secure in himself and his place in this world.