Meet the Crew

Seven friends, one big ohana — every shade shines!

Amara

Sunshine & giggles

Hi, I’m Amara! I’m African American, and my name comes from the Igbo language of Nigeria. It means “grace,” and my family chose it to honor our African roots. I love wearing my natural curls in puffs, twists, and braids, and I wear them proudly. My family is full of strong women who taught me to speak up, so I’m going to be a lawyer when I grow up and make sure everybody is treated fairly. My favorite thing about our group is that every one of us is different, and that makes us stronger together.

Malik

Big heart, bigger dreams

Hey, I’m Malik! My family is from the Caribbean, where the music is lively, the food is full of flavor, and the ocean is never far away. My name has roots in Arabic and means “king,” and I try to live up to it by being kind, brave, and respectful. At family gatherings I love the steel drum music, the dancing, and my grandma’s plantains. I want to be a doctor when I grow up, so I can take care of people and help them feel better. At Shades of You Kids, we celebrate everyone’s history, and mine is something I’m proud of.

Kai

Island explorer

Aloha, I’m Kai! In Hawaiian, my name means “ocean,” and I’m proud of my Native Hawaiian roots. My family taught me to love the land, the water, and each other. I’m the one who says, “Let’s go!” when it’s time for an adventure. I want to be a police officer when I grow up so I can keep my community safe. At Shades of You Kids, I get to share my island culture with friends from all around the world.

Sofia

Kind and creative

¡Hola, I’m Sofia! My family is Latina, and at home we speak both Spanish and English. My name means “wisdom,” and I love to learn new words in every language I can. My family’s food, music, and dancing are my favorite parts of our traditions. I’m good with numbers and want to be an accountant someday. I love teaching my friends Spanish words, and they teach me theirs.

Jun

Thinker and reader

Konnichiwa, I’m Jun! My family is Japanese, and I love learning about my culture, from folding paper cranes to eating rice balls with my grandparents. I’m the one who’s always ready to explain things, because I want to be a teacher someday. I think learning is better when we do it together, so I’m happy to share what I know and learn something new from my friends every day.

Priya

Gentle and brave

Namaste, I’m Priya! My family is from India, and my name means “beloved” in Sanskrit. I always wear my bindi, which is a special dot that is part of my culture and my family’s traditions. I love numbers, patterns, and puzzles. Someday I’ll be a computer programmer and write code that helps people. I’m excited to share my favorite Indian foods, festivals, and stories with you!

Hue

Color-changing chameleon

Hi there, I’m Hue, the color-changing chameleon! Unlike my friends, I don’t belong to just one culture or color. I get to celebrate all of them! When I’m with Amara, Kai, Priya, Jun, Malik, and Sofia, I glow with every shade. My favorite part of the day is when my friends share a part of themselves and I get to light up with it. I’m here to remind you that every color, every culture, and every kid is special.