Cocoa Kids Books, Inc is an independent Black woman-owned children’s book publishing company. Our goal is to become your source for picture books and readers that encourage Black children to dream, aspire for more, and soar because they see themselves reflected in stories that are engaging, authentic, uplifting, and inspiring.

We look forward to bringing to your homes fun and engaging stories and Black characters for a new generation of childhood heroes and memories.

Gwen Fortune-Blakely is a new author focused on books that feature compelling Black characters. She is launching Cocoa Kids Books, Inc., a new independent publishing company for children’s books with exciting Black characters who capture the imagination.

As a mom, she realized there were few books that focused on Black characters beyond the African American stories of struggle, strife, and discrimination. It was a treasure hunt finding a broader range of culturally authentic and relatable Black characters. 

With the completion of her first picture book, Rex and the Band, Gwen is writing positive, uplifting stories that inspire Black children to imagine, dream and aspire to fulfill their potential. Her books are what she dreamt she had growing up and create characters for a new generation of childhood heroes and role models.