(BPRW) AFRO UNICORN KICKS OFF LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH GIRLS INC. OF ST. LOUIS TO MOTIVATE AND MENTOR UNDER-SERVED YOUTH

Girls Inc. President Cheryl Jones hosts May 10th reception to welcome April Showers, Founder & CEO of Afro Unicorn

(Black PR Wire) St. Louis, MO – Further expanding Afro Unicorn, her empowerment-led brand with the mission to positively uplift and impact women and children of color, African American trailblazer April Showers announced today a new partnership with  Girls Incorporated of St. Louis (Girls Inc.). Girls Inc. provides educational and cultural programs in safe environments for girls that enable them to raise their aspirations and realize their potential.

Cheryl Jones, President & CEO of Girls Incorporated of St. Louis, says: “We are extremely excited to meet Ms. Showers.” Jones continues, “You can only be what you can see! Ms. Showers exemplifies how passion, grit, and pursuit of a dream can be a true living example for our girls.”

Ms. Showers, Founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn, stated: “I am incredibly honored to collaborate with Cheryl Jones and Girls Inc. Our goal is to positively uplift and impact women and children of color with the confidence they need to embrace who they are – unique, divine, and magical–is synergistic with Girls Inc. mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold!”

Ms. Showers will be reading her original book, “A Magical Day,” to students at Girls Inc. in St. Louis on May 10 from 5-6 p.m. as part of a reception with 50 girls and their parents. She will also give an interactive motivational speech with a special message.

Ms. Showers adds, “I cannot wait to greet 50 girls on May 10 to make a positive impact. I will ask them to think about their passion. What drives them? What do they think about in the morning, and what keeps them up at night? I’ll ask them to consider what makes them happy and what they would enjoy doing the most. I will encourage them to start journaling and write down three big ideas, whether business or life goals and ten things they are grateful for. Then, I would tell them to study positive role models, whether a teacher or a mentor at Girls Inc. Lastly, I would ask them to visualize their dreams and never give up. If they put in the time and effort, anything is possible.”

Since introducing Afro Unicorn apparel and accessories in 2019 through an e-commerce strategy, Ms. Showers became the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand in major retail with the brand’s debut in over 3,800 Walmart stores. This year, Afro Unicorn’s retail presence expanded to seven of the world’s top retail stores, including Walmart (U.S. and Canada), Target, HomeGoods, Kohls, JCPenney, Amazon, and NovaKids, with a diverse product range boasting over 25 categories, including publishing, games & puzzles,  apparel, accessories, activities, seasonal, and home. Toys from master toy partner Just Play will also launch in 2024.

Children will soon be able to live and play in a world of Afro Unicorn with plushies, collectibles, games, puzzles, books, playsets, ride-ons, outdoor play, live animation and graphic novels  in the works. A new line of original Afro Unicorn® books under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint will be released widely in Fall 2023 across all Afro Unicorn® products.

About Afro Unicorn

Afro Unicorn® is a fully licensed character celebrating representation founded by visionary entrepreneur and CEO April Showers as a conscious brand with the mission to positively uplift and impact women and children of color. Afro Unicorn® represents the beauty and uniqueness of vanilla, caramel, and mocha complexions. From clothing and accessories to holiday gifting and educational resources, Afro Unicorn provides women and children with the confidence they need to embrace who they are – unique, divine, and magical. When a video of a kid influencer wearing an Afro Unicorn® t-shirt went viral, Walmart reached out to Ms. Showers about a collaboration. Recently, ABC News Good Morning America 3: What You Need To Know and CBS Mornings did segments on Afro Unicorn®. She created the character @afrounicorn_official (IG Account) to remind women and kids of color how unique and magical they are. Oprah Daily, Viola Davis, Sherri Shepherd, Alicia Keys, and Tina Knowles are all early believers. Ms. Showers hopes her success is the “blueprint” to empower and inspire women of color to enter the licensing space with 45 + licensee partners worldwide. Shattering the glass ceiling, Ms. Showers is the first Black woman to own a fully licensed character brand in major retail. In 2022, Afro Unicorn® hit the shelves of 3,800 Walmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico with party supplies and apparel. To learn more about Afro Unicorn™ and how you can become part of this inspiring community, please visit www.afrounicorn.com or follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook.

About Girls Inc.

Girls Incorporated of St. Louis (Girls Inc.) provides educational and cultural programs in safe environments for girls that enable them to raise their aspirations and realize their potential. Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold!

Girls Inc. is a national nonprofit youth organization that was established in 1864. Nationwide, the organization affects the lives of approximately 500,000 girls in more than 100 cities annually. We have provided educational programs to millions of girls, particularly those in high-risk and under-served areas.

Established locally in 1981, Girls Inc. of St. Louis has relocated three times to accommodate expanding membership. In 2004, the agency moved to the Nelson Center, its permanent home in the City of Northwoods in North St. Louis County. Girls Inc. of St. Louis currently serves over 9,000 girls annually in the St. Louis region.

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