Every year, during British Black History Month, we shine a light on British black-owned businesses that are making a difference. This year’s highlight is Frobelles, a UK-based dress-up game that champions the beauty of Afro hair.
Created by mother-daughter duo Yvonne and Alyssa Ottley, Frobelles has more than 100,000 users and recently debuted in the United States.
Birth of Froebel
The idea for Frobelles came from a simple question from Alyssa, who was only six years old at the time. “Why don’t any of my game characters have Afro hair like me?”
According to a press release shared with POCIT, this question led Yvonne to notice a significant lack of representation in children’s games, especially when it comes to diverse hairstyles.
With Yvonne’s background in graphic design and Alyssa’s vision, they set out to create a game that would bridge this gap and allow young girls with curly and coily hair to see themselves.
The result is Frobelles, which features three main characters (Coco, Keri, and Krista) who proudly wear their natural hair.
Featuring styles such as Bantu knots, puffs, and Fulani braids, the game not only gives players the opportunity to dress up their characters, but also celebrates the diversity of Black people’s natural hair textures. .
Empowering through education and expression
Media representation plays an important role in shaping children’s self-esteem and identity.
According to a Dove study, 53% of black mothers reported experiencing hair discrimination when their daughters were 5 years old.
Frobelles provides a space where Black girls can embrace their natural beauty and learn how to care for their hair through the game’s new “story mode.” In this mode, you can teach kids about Afro hair care, styling, and even skin care.
Froebel’s game character
Growing community and global expansion
Frobelles has grown beyond its humble beginnings at the Ottley family’s kitchen table. The game currently boasts an active fan club, regular offline events, and extensive campaigns on the Apple AppStore and GooglePlay.
Alyssa herself won the Young Entrepreneur Award at the 2024 FSB Celebtaining Small Business Awards, proving that age and alienation are no obstacles to success.
With its recent launch in the United States and growing international interest, Frobelles is set to reach even more children around the world. The brand has expanded into toys, apparel, and hair accessories, and has major licensing deals in the works.
Feature image credit: Frobelles
