Black History Month Profile FAST Capstone Project Sponsor
Name: Takiyah Wedderburn
FAST Capstone Project Sponsor
Project Name: NKM Dolls E-Commerce Website
NKM Dolls E-Commerce Website Capstone Project will be a web application development. The project’s objective will be to develop and launch an official website and e-commerce platform for NKM Dolls.
Overview
Where Every Curl Tells a Story
NKM Dolls emerged as an extension of Natural Kids Movement, a non-profit organization founded in 2015 to address the overrepresentation of Black and racialized children and youth in Ontario's child welfare system. NKM focuses on providing culturally sensitive hair and skin care products, along with books, in care packages to enhance the self-image of Black and racialized children in foster care.
NKM Dolls is a culturally sensitive and innovative doll company committed to providing empowering and educational products for Black and racialized children and youth. Our dolls celebrate diversity, featuring Afro/curly textured hair and authentic representations of various cultural backgrounds. With a mission to foster cultural identity and self-esteem, NKM Dolls combines play with learning, offering a unique blend of companionship and educational tools.
What inspired you to create NKM Dolls?
NKM Dolls was inspired by my work with the Natural Kids Movement, a non-profit organization I founded in 2015 to address systemic inequities in Ontario’s child welfare system. While providing culturally relevant resources, I noticed a critical need for representation in toys and products for Black and racialized children, especially those in foster care. NKM Dolls emerged as an extension of this mission, aiming to promote cultural identity, self-love, and empowerment through realistic dolls with Afro/curly textured hair and authentic cultural representations.
What program/year did you graduate from at Humber?
I graduated from Humber’s Business Management Entrepreneurial Enterprise program in Fall 2023, which provided me with the foundational skills and knowledge to help me learn the skills I will need to launch and sustain my many business ventures such Natural Kids Movement and NKM Dolls.
What advice would you give to black students looking to start their own business or create a product?
“Start with a mission that’s deeply meaningful to you and your community. Representation and authenticity matter—create something that fills a gap or addresses an underserved need. Build a network of mentors and like-minded individuals who share your vision, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Most importantly, stay resilient and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth”.
What is the most important lesson you've learned so far in your entrepreneurial journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the power of purpose-driven work. Staying true to your mission and values not only attracts the right people to support you but also keeps you motivated through the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Representation and quality are non-negotiable in building trust with your audience.
What skills did you learn from Humber Polytechnic that you have applied to your career and industry?
At Humber, I gained valuable skills in business research, marketing, operations management and community outreach, all of which have been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey. The practical, hands-on learning approach helped me develop the confidence to lead a mission-driven organization like Natural Kids Movement and an extension of my non-profit with NKM Dolls.
Why did you choose to sponsor a Humber FAST capstone project?
My mentor is a faculty member of Humber’s Social Sciences, they told me about the Capstone partnership opportunity and encouraged me to apply to be a sponsor. I was looking for an opportunity to work with ITS students looking to gain industry experience.
