Spin Master Teams with Inner-City Arts Students to Amplify Diversity with Creative Play

Developed in collaboration with 6ix Academy, the Truly You! Character Creator set reimagines play to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

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June 1, 2022

Traced and colored diversity character.Spin Master

Spin Master has launched the Truly You! Character Creator set. Developed in collaboration with Toronto-based 6ix Academy, an inner-city business and arts program that spearheads social justice pursuits, the new fashion illustration set aims to celebrate diversity and inclusion through play.

Inspired by fashion design plates, where kids mix characters in a variety of outfits, the 6ix Academy students approached Spin Master with an opportunity to infuse greater representation to this once traditional play pattern. In consultation with an external diversity agency, Truly You! Character Creator was born, featuring an inclusive collection of six individuals, each with their own character card that speaks to their identities.

Kids can learn about the character backgrounds, trace outlines in a variety of outfits and create diverse identities. Characters include:

A young indigenous designer from the Sioux Nation who loves to feature elements of her culture through her fashion. This character was based on one of the 6ix Academy student inventors.
A gender-fluid content creator and advocate for mental health who lives their life as their most authentic self.
An astronaut who chases her dreams of exploring space and increasing representation of Black women in STEM careers.
A Paralympic athlete and strong advocate for children with disabilities.
A non-binary frontline healthcare worker who provides consistent and compassionate healthcare to all people.

A Muslim fashion and beauty influencer who uses her modest fashion and passion for makeup and photography to express her identity and creativity.

"When we first met with the 6ix Academy, we were so inspired by their fresh take on a classic activity toy we quickly joined forces to

bring Truly You! Character Creator set from concept to consumers," says Jennifer Skewes, vice president, global brand team leader, activities and building sets,

Spin Master

. "Designed for kids by kids, we hope that children feel included and inspired by the Truly You! Character Creator set, mixing and matching to explore characters that are as diverse as the communities we live in."

"Students enrolled in the 6ix Academy are a new generation of mindful thinkers and progressive doers," says Rebecca Dileo, creative director, CTA's 6ix Academy. "Student passion for social justice activism is woven into art projects and put into action through extracurricular programming such as AIM (ARTivism Inclusivity Movement). We approach all projects through an ‘ARTivism’ lens and ensure student voice and vision are front and center within the curriculum."

The Truly You! Character Creator set is available exclusively on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca and is recommended for ages 8 and up.