TinkyPoo Diapers Founder Nadiyah Spencer Talks Representation

At one point or another, almost every parent will use them. Diapers.

In 2025, the baby diapers market worldwide generated a revenue of $60.75 billion, according to Statista.

However, like many other things, African Americans are more likely to be users than producers of these necessary children’s need. While they are largely niche products available through boutiques and online, there are African-American diaper manufacturers. Like Proudly, which is co-founded by Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade–created in collaboration with a dermatologist of color specifically for babies with melanated skin.

Forever My Babies makes reusable diapers and supports vulnerable communities by donating reusable diapers to families in need and raising funds to support social justice and equality initiatives.

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Then, there is TinkyPoo Diapers.

The boldly printed diaper brand was founded by production expert, Black woman and proud mom Nadiyah Spencer from her desire to cover and protect her child – and all children – in diapers that depicted children of color.

With over 20 years of experience working in apparel and fragrance manufacturing for iconic brands, Nadiyah is well-versed in producing high-quality and highly covetable products at affordable prices. Nadiyah’s motto is, “to make beautiful things in a beautiful way with beautiful people.”

Adds Spencer, “We are inspired by the love and care a parent feels towards their baby when they want to show them and give them the world while also protecting and shielding them from a world that doesn’t always readily display images that look like them. My personal experiences as a mother led me to create a diaper that is thoughtful in function, form and creative expression.”

TinkyPoo Diapers boasts up to 12 hours of protection, feature a double leakage barrier, an exterior wetness indicator, elasticated side wings, a breathable backsheet and elasticated waistband for all-around protection from leaks and blow outs.

“I was very deliberate in the design of these diapers,” Spencer explains. “We don’t have a lot of returns or complaints. TinkyPoo babies don’t get diaper rash, they don’t have blowouts because I designed the back to be higher than other diapers… and our parents just love the designs.”

The outer design of the diapers was just as deliberate as the inner design which features an organic cotton inner lining free from fragrances, parabens, latex, and elemental chlorine. The diapers feature the adventures of the brand’s main characters Timmy and Penny – twin siblings who, with their TinkyPoo crew, go on whimsical adventures in “Imagination Land.”

“One of my prints, ‘The Tribal,’ is based on my time in Kenya. Another one, called ‘Be The Power,’ shows the babies with the beret and their fist in the air and the Pan African flag. It was my way of saying, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’”

Other TinkyPoo designs include Timmy and Penny in space representing that for Black children, even the sky is no longer the limit.  While yet another design simply reads “My little Tinky,” Spencer noted, because the phrase is so endearing, “And, you know, we love you. So there was intentionality across the entire brand.”

As most other African-American business owners can attest, entering a market that is dominated by major corporations has been challenging for Spencer and TinkyPoo. However, the brand is currently available in Bye Bye  Baby-—a national chain. It is also in boutiques, available online, and is in talks with Walmart. Spencer attributes some of her current success to word of mouth and the power of her network.

“Just the other day, we got a call from a producer who is working on a new movie with J. Lo. In the film, her character has a baby and they reached out to us to put the baby in TinkyPoo diapers. So, that’s a product placement opportunity and tons of people will get to see our diapers in a movie on Netflix.”

Diaper insecurity is a major issue for marginalized communities with Hispanic and African-American women experiencing the challenge which, researchers find, contributes to parenting stress, a critical factor influencing child health and development.

TinkyPoo has a plan for that too with a single pack of their diapers available online for only $13.99. Nadiyah Spencer has also extended a promo code to our readers. Enter Tinky20 at checkout and receive 20% for a limited time.

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