Soul Food, Family & Healing: The Story Behind the Brown Sugar Collection

When I first started The Paper Riot Store, my goal was simple: make coloring books that didn't stress people out. I wanted to eliminate the tiny, frustrating details and create large-print, bold designs. But as the store grew, I realized there was a massive gap in the adult coloring book market, particularly for Black women.

The Missing Representation in Art Therapy

I would walk through bookstores or browse Amazon, and the "adult coloring" section was a sea of generic mandalas, European castles, and fairies. While those are beautiful, there was very little that reflected the warmth, culture, and day-to-day beauty of the African American experience. I wanted a coloring book that looked like my family, my kitchen, and my culture. More importantly, I wanted it in the relaxing, bold and easy format that actually promotes mindfulness.

That realization birthed the Brown Sugar Collection.

Crafting the Collection

I set out to create a series of books that felt like a warm hug. Each book in the collection had to represent a different pillar of African American joy and healing.

The first was Brown Sugar & Cast Iron. The kitchen is the anchor of so many Black families. I wanted pages filled with simmering pots of soul food, fresh baking, and cozy dining rooms where generations gather. It's a celebration of culinary heritage and the love poured into every meal.

Next came Brown Sugar & Kin. This book is all about togetherness. It honors the strength of the Black family—from grandparents sharing stories on the porch to quiet moments of domestic peace.

I knew I also needed a book dedicated purely to self-care for Black women, which led to Brown Sugar & Bloom. This book pairs beautiful illustrations of natural hair and relaxing self-care routines with positive, empowering affirmations. It’s designed to be a tool for self-love on those days when you just need a minute to breathe.

Finally, we released Brown Sugar & Soul to celebrate the unmatched healing power of Black music. From the deep emotional roots of the blues to the uplifting energy of gospel and R&B, this book is a visual rhythm.

Why Bold & Easy?

It was crucial to me that these cultural celebrations were accessible. The Brown Sugar Collection uses the same thick outlines and large, spacious shapes as all our Paper Riot Store books. I wanted seniors to be able to enjoy these books without needing reading glasses. I wanted busy mothers to be able to finish a page with a few swipes of a marker without stressing over microscopic details.

Conclusion

The Brown Sugar Collection is my love letter to my community. It is proof that diversity in art therapy matters, and that seeing yourself in the pages of a book is a vital part of the healing and relaxing process. I hope these books bring as much peace to your home as they have to mine.