Recognizing the importance for Black children to see themselves and their culture in books, TV shows, clothing, dolls and action figures, toys, and more, the Founder of the innovative brand, Elnora Harris was inspired to create high-quality toothbrushes that her children and many throughout the world can see themselves on after she was not able to find any in the market. With the mission rooted in promoting a positive self-image and an attitude of inclusion, Our Reflections officially launched in February 2022.
We were delighted to catch up with Elnora Harris of Our Reflections and learn more about the company.
FEMI Magazine (Keziah Preston): What does Our Reflections mean to you?
Elnora Harris: Our Reflection was birthed from a simple thought of inclusion. As a Special Education teacher for over 20 years, I see the importance of making space for children that are different and welcoming them into mainstream classes. As a mother of 3 children under the age of 14, I get excited when they see images that look like them. Our Reflections started when I saw my youngest daughter brushing her teeth with a toothbrush that featured a popular Caucasian Pop Icon and thought, it would be awesome for my daughter to see someone that looks like her every morning when she is brushing her teeth. I want children in minority communities to see images of characters that reflect them on everyday basic essentials. Our Reflections fills a gap in the marketplace for underrepresented children of color and I am excited to help other minority parents like myself teach our children that they are beautiful, valuable, and included. Not only do I want children to see a reflection of themselves but also to read positive affirmations about who they are. Every morning and in the evening, they will be reminded that they are beautiful, and that they are leaders, and they are winners! If no one else tells them that they are beautiful, Our Reflections will remind them every day that they are with our Nora and John toothbrushes. We will not just stop with the African American community, but my desire is to represent Hispanic/Latino communities, Asian Communities, Native American communities and more. Every child deserves to be included because representation matters.
FEMI: You’re known as a Serial Entrepreneur, can you tell us a little more about each of your businesses?
EH: Each one of my 3 business are different yet there is a central theme that ties them all together and that is Representation. My first business that had been a passion of mine for years before I even started the other two was to serve and advocate for students with Special Needs. LevelUp Consulting Services is designed to give parents a voice to advocate and fight for the educational needs of their child, especially parents in minority communities. As a Special Education teacher for over 20 years, I have seen the lack of representation for minority parents to receive the most optimal care and services for their children. I wanted to help and have had to fight for the rights of students with, Autism, Learning Disabilities and other Special Education eligibilities. Soar Balloons N More launched after volunteering to decorate for a Valentine’s Day Brunch for Senior Citizens. I had never created balloon decor before, but I am a creative person and learned how to do it. The responses I received ignited a flame to start Soar because people began asking me to do their events. I not only curate decor for events, but I also design custom items like Brooch Bowties, Graduation Swag, Glitter Bags, Promotional items, and much more. Our Reflections is what I have been predestined to do here on the earth. I love children and I love happy children. Seeing a child’s smile when they react to an Our Reflections toothbrush with images that look like them makes my heart smile. Those little smiles sends shivers up my back. Representation matters in schools, within special events and definitely on products.
FEMI: What’s some advice you have for other CEO moms you wish you had known sooner ?
EH: The advice I would like to share with other CEO moms is to build a team to help and support you. We can certainly be supermoms, but every Batman had a Robin. We all need someone on our team that can step in and assist, support, and encourages us to keep fulfilling our dream of entrepreneurship.
FEMI: We love to see “us” pushing self-love, what are other ways you are pushing self love ?
EH: Self love is essential to having a fulfilled life. Our Reflections toothbrushes is the epitome of providing children with a sense of self love every morning and every night when they brush their teeth. My desire is for children in underrepresented groups to see positive images of themselves with empowering affirmation about them. For children, representation and inclusion have real-world implications as they transition from toddlers to adolescence to teenagers and then into their adult lives. These real-world implications can change the trajectory of how they view themselves. I want children in these diverse groups to know that they are just as valuable and beautiful as any other group. Every child, no matter the difference, should see themselves as equal to any other race and ethnicity. I feel that I have a responsibility to improve diversity and elevate inclusion by producing quality products with their reflections.
FEMI: When it comes to your kids, do you have a signature statement or affirmation you say to your kids pertaining to their reflection and self-image?
EH:I constantly tell my children that they are beautiful and talented. I tell them that they are beautifully and wonderfully made. God made a masterpiece when He made you!
FEMI: What is something you would just like to share about our reflections, something you think everyone needs to hear but not enough people are talking about ?
EH: As parents, we want to help set our children up for success in as many ways as possible. In many cases, we can do that by exposing our children to positive images our child consumes every day. Exposure to everyday products provides kids with a sense of adequate representation. Children pay close attention to the types of characters they see in their favorite books and TV shows. They have a tendency to emulate these characters by wanting to dress up as their favorite princess or superhero. For this reason, it’s especially important that children see themselves portrayed on the products they use. As parents, we can help our children see themselves on products as much as possible by supporting businesses like Our Reflections, which provide diverse representation. Our products give children a form of a mirror reflection of their own beauty and self-worth that reflects back and allows children to see themselves every day on products. These mirror reflections help children experience a sense of belonging.
Learn more about Our Reflections by visiting their website at https://www.ourreflections.com/.
