Bellen Woodard was only eight years old when she realized there was a problem that needed solving in her classroom. During coloring activities, her peers would ask for the “skin color” crayon, and everyone instinctively reached for the peach tone. Bellen knew from her own experience and from looking around at her friends that skin color comes in many different shades, not just peach. That observation led her to start the “More Than Peach” project, a movement that has since garnered national attention for its efforts to promote diverse skin-toned art supplies. Her story was so impactful that she became a TIME Kid of the Year Finalist.

Bellen’s journey is a shining example of an early starter—someone who acts on insight and opportunity long before many people even consider taking the first step.

Growing up, Bellen would hear classmates request the “skin color” crayon when drawing people. They would then pass around a single peach-colored crayon as if that represented everyone’s tone. She felt uneasy each time this happened, aware that not all skin was accurately depicted by that one color. Instead of simply noticing the issue and moving on, she decided to do something about it.

That’s how “More Than Peach” began. Starting with her own set of crayons, she collected a variety of browns, tans, and peach shades into customized packs—making sure each child could find a closer match to their own skin tone. “I wanted everyone to feel they had a color that matched them,” she explained in an interview. “When you draw yourself, you should see a reflection of who you really are.” With help from family and friends, she distributed these crayon packs locally, sparking new conversations among teachers, parents, and fellow students about the importance of representation in art.

Initially, Bellen’s efforts seemed like a modest classroom project. But as teachers and parents saw the positive impact—students talking more openly about diversity, kids feeling proud to color themselves accurately—word spread. Soon, local media picked up the story, which led to wider coverage. More people wanted to support and replicate her initiative in other schools, community centers, and even libraries.

That’s the power of synergy for an early starter: each small win, whether it’s praise from a teacher or a local newspaper article, builds upon the last. The movement grew beyond Bellen’s hometown. She found herself receiving invitations to speak at youth conferences and art workshops. People from different parts of the country reached out, asking how they could incorporate “More Than Peach” crayon packs into their own classrooms.

Despite the growing attention, Bellen remained grounded. At an age when many kids are still discovering their interests, she’d already found a calling: ensuring that art supplies reflect the real world. Being so young also came with its share of skepticism. Some questioned whether an eight-year-old could really influence the art supply industry or shift cultural norms about color labels. Yet, with every new conversation, Bellen displayed maturity and sincerity. She explained that inclusivity in something as simple as a crayon isn’t a trivial matter; it helps shape how children see themselves and each other.

She also recognized the importance of collaboration. Parents, teachers, and local leaders volunteered to help assemble “More Than Peach” kits or spread the word on social media. The synergy was almost instantaneous—when people learned a child was behind the idea, they felt inspired to participate, donate, or adapt the concept to their own communities. Bellen’s project thrived precisely because she tapped into that collective goodwill and made it easy for others to join the cause.

As demand for inclusive art supplies grew, Bellen turned her focus to the broader message behind “More Than Peach.” It’s not just about crayons; it’s about representation, empathy, and understanding the diversity that surrounds us. She continued refining her packs and exploring ways to bring the concept to more schools. Along the way, she balanced her new responsibilities with homework and the everyday life of a school-aged kid. Her parents and mentors provided guidance, but they also allowed her to shape the project’s direction. After all, it was her insight that started it all.

In interviews, Bellen has shared that she wants to expand the “More Than Peach” line to include markers, paints, and other art materials, ensuring that children of all complexions can see themselves accurately reflected. She’s also spoken at public events about the importance of starting conversations around race and identity early, emphasizing that doing so in a non-threatening environment (like a coloring activity) can foster empathy and mutual respect.

Bellen’s journey highlights a key benefit of early starters: time. By identifying a problem and taking action before the typical teenage or adult years, she gave herself the space to learn, adapt, and grow. Each step—meeting a teacher who wanted to pilot the crayon packs, receiving local news coverage, connecting with national press—fed into the next, compounding her impact. Essentially, she built a foundation while still in elementary school that could serve her and her cause for years to come.

Her story also underscores how passion can overcome age-related doubts. Even though she faced naysayers or people who might have viewed her as “just a kid,” her enthusiasm for making a difference carried her through. “I don’t think you need to be a grown-up to change something,” she said, summing up her approach succinctly. “You just have to care enough.”

Bellen Woodard exemplifies the essence of an early starter: identifying a meaningful gap, acting on it without delay, and harnessing synergy to create something much bigger than a single person could do alone. She tackled a problem that affects how children see themselves, turning a simple box of crayons into a tool for empathy and inclusivity.

Now it’s your turn to reflect on the changemakers in your life. Maybe a sibling launched a neighborhood recycling drive at age ten, or a classmate turned a science fair project into a local invention that helps the community. Sharing these stories not only celebrates the power of youth innovation but can also spark the next wave of early starters who look at the world and decide they, too, can make it better—one crayon or idea at a time.