Afro Unicorn and its namesake brand are galloping into entertainment with an expansion from retail shelves to screens of all shapes and sizes. 

LA-based studio Pure Imagination has teamed up with the company behind the empowerment-led brand to develop and produce a whole range of content for broadcast, digital, theatrical and gaming. 

Founded in 2019 as a direct-to-consumer toy line, Afro Unicorn is a whimsical IP espousing positive messaging for girls and women of color. All of its on-screen iterations will reflect that core purpose, starting with an animated show for kids ages five to eight that’s being developed by Pure Imagination and Afro Unicorn’s founder and CEO April Showers. Set in the world of Afronia, which is brimming with fantastical characters like mermaids and dinosaurs, the 52 x 11-minute series will center around three Afro Unicorns with distinct personalities. 

The expansion of the IP is aligned with Pure Imagination’s goal of bringing more racial diversity to animation, said the studio’s co-founder Joshua Wexler in a release. “Our team of writers, animators and directors are inspired to produce projects with a diverse group of creators and talent behind the camera because this is crucial to increasing representation on screen in ways that are universally accessible to people of all skin tones, shapes, sizes and abilities.”

Afro Unicorn has also been steadily lining up new consumer products partnerships. In November, Florida’s Just Play came on board as the brand’s master toy partner, and it’s working on a range of dolls, playsets and plush that should be ready to roll out in spring 2024. This fall, Random House Books for Young Readers will publish six Afro Unicorn books written by Showers. And Jay Franco (bedding), MAD Engine (apparel) and Unique (party goods) all signed on as licensees in April 2022.