Every(body) is a Gem.

Every(body) is a Gem (EBG) is an inclusive media and apparel startup on a mission to foster relentless self-love, acceptance, and celebration of the things that make us all unique. Believe it or not, we got our start from a not-so-fun shopping trip to the mall some time ago. Out of the tens of stores in that particular mall catering to young women, our founder and her cousin could only shop in TWO of those stores together--thanks to the limited size ranges. Only a minor inconvenience at the time, it highlighted the media's gigantic problem with exclusion—whether it be by size, skin tone, gender, hair texture, features, ability, and so on. These truths inspired us to ask the following questions: 1. How inclusive are the self-love and body positive movements of women who still don't fit the "mold"? How can we actively create space for black and brown women and women who don't receive adequate representation of their skin color, hair type, size, features, age, or unique capabilities? 2. What are the messages that we as women and girls receive about the worth and beauty of our bodies? 3. How can we change those messages for the better and give a platform to underrepresented bodies in our media? 4. How we can we support organizations who are already on the ground, doing the work, and making sure every woman's voice is heard?Our biggest goal is to actively support organizations that create platforms and opportunities for women with underrepresented backgrounds and bodies in our media. By sharing our own experiences and listening to those of others, we can redefine what it means to be worthy, create a world that truly reflects the people who live in it, and give ourselves permission to love and respect ourselves for who we are. If I can see the value in you, and you in me, we've laid the groundwork for positive social change—and our stories are the fabric of that change.