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Colors for Everyone

Bellen Woodard is making sure all kids are represented in ballet and beyond. 

February 2, 2026
By Nicole Tocco

As You Read, Think About: What are some ways you can make others feel included?

Rodney Choice/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc.

In third grade, Bellen started selling her crayons in More than Peach packets.

When Bellen Woodard was in third grade, her classmates called peach “the skin-colored crayon.” Bellen thought that was confusing. After all, not everyone has peach skin, including her. So one day when a friend asked for the skin-colored crayon, Bellen asked which skin color.

“Skin can be any number of beautiful colors,” Bellen explains.

Before long, Bellen’s entire school in Leesburg, Virginia, stopped thinking of peach as the only skin-colored crayon. That’s when Bellen realized she could make a difference in the world. 

A Color for Everyone
Watch a video to hear from Bellen about her journey.

Making a Change

In 2019, Bellen started a company called More than Peach. She created a brand of school supplies that includes crayons that reflect a variety of skin tones. Soon her crayons were being used in classrooms around the world. 

Bellen calls herself a crayon activist. In addition to running her company, she has given speeches to crowds of more than 50,000 people. In 2022, she wrote a book about her experiences called More than Peach.

Last year, Bellen wrote another book, Ballet Brown, which focuses on the world of ballet. She says the goal of both books is to inspire readers to become empathetic leaders and create spaces that are welcoming to everyone.

“My work is always about making sure kids can lead and that they have their best options,” says the 14-year-old.

Courtesy of Woodard family

“Whether it’s ballet pink or ballet brown, I want everyone to be able to have what is truly best for them.” 
—Bellen Woodard

Think Pink

Bellen began taking ballet lessons when she was 2 years old. From an early age, she was curious about something: Why was everything pink?

Most ballerinas wear pink tights and shoes. That helps create the look of an unbroken line flowing from their legs to their arms. But that isn’t true for Bellen—and many other dancers.

“Since I have brown arms, when my legs and feet are in pink, there’s a break in my line,” Bellen explains. 

Ballet Brown

Bellen loves the color pink, but it didn’t feel right to her that all ballerinas had to wear pink. She started wearing brown tights and shoes instead. 

Bellen and her parents talked to the owners of her ballet studio about changing the dress code. That would give dancers the freedom to wear other colors. But the owners said they preferred for dancers to wear pink because it was a tradition.

“But traditions should grow,” Bellen says. 

To her, pink ballet gear was like the peach crayon all over again. She came up with the term “ballet brown,” which she wants all ballerinas to know—just like ballet pink. 

Courtesy of Woodard family

Bellen Woodard holds her latest book, Ballet Brown.

A Colorful Solution

For years, Bellen was the only one in her ballet class not wearing pink. In 2022, she switched to another studio and talked to the owners about ballet brown. They agreed to update the dress code!

“Now many more little kids wear brown,” Bellen says. “That’s what I was hoping for.”

Bellen has also added new colors to her More than Peach line of crayons—ballet pink and ballet brown. To her, ballet brown is more than a phrase. 

“All I ever wanted to do is make sure that we all feel like we’re a special part of our spaces—because we are,” Bellen says. 

What Bellen Wants You to Know

  • We should make things better for everyone—not only for a specific group or groups. We need spaces that welcome all. When I express myself, I find that I’m speaking for others too.
  • You don’t have to be loud to use your voice. I’m not the shyest kid, but I’m also not at all outspoken. I still get my point across. 
  • Don’t undervalue yourself. You’re never too young to bring your ideas to life. They can help make the world better!

1. What was special about the first set of crayons that Bellen Woodard created?

2. Summarize the main ideas of the section “Think Pink.”

3. What does the author mean when she writes that to Bellen, “ballet brown is more than a phrase”?

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