Unpackage the impact "Black Barbie" had on an entire industry and generation!
Find out more about "Black Barbie: A Documentary" streaming now on Netflix!
Black Barbie celebrates the momentous impact three Black women at Mattel had on the evolution of the Barbie brand as we know it. Through these charismatic insiders’ stories, the documentary tells the story of how the first Black Barbie came to be in 1980, examining the importance of representation and how dolls can be crucial to the formation of identity and imagination.
Barbie has come a very long way since her introduction in 1959. Today, Barbie can be found dressed in gender fluid clothing, in many shades and hues, in multiple non-stereotypical roles, and with various multi-cultural hair styles. However, that was not always the case. In the 1960s and 1970s, “Barbie” doll creator, the toy company Mattel brought a number of Black dolls into the Barbie Universe. In 1968 there was Christie, a friend of Barbie who dressed in a mod swimsuit, and 1969 there was Julia, who was based on actress Diahann Carroll’s title character in the groundbreaking TV sitcom Julia, however none of these dolls were actually “Barbie”.
The documentary Black Barbie, produced by Shondaland (production company from Shonda Rhimes), highlights the Black women who changed everything and became the creative inspiration behind the first Black Barbie.
Industry creator, producer, and writer Shonda Rhimes has been a powerful, creative, and noteworthy voice in the world of television for decades now with multiple long running and highly decorated hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal. In 2017, Rhimes and Netflix entered into a partnership that in recent years has seen many successful shows like Bridgerton and Inventing Anna debut on Netflix. The latest project between the pair is the documentary Black Barbie that premiered on the streaming service last week (June 19, 2024).
Viewers are taken on a very passionate journey with director Lagueria Davis as she explores the impact of that question, and the long road to introducing the first non-white official “Barbie” in 1980. That journey launches viewers into a discovery of the history of Black dolls, their impact on civil rights and Black entrepreneurship, and the significant role of imaginative play in shaping children's identity. Davis drew inspiration for the documentary from the story of her great aunt Beulah Mae Mitchell, a star Mattel employee who was brave enough to speak up to Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler about a “Black Barbie”.
The documentary interviews Shonda Rhimes and a host of other celebrities and public figures as they shed a light on the impact black dolls have had on them throughout various experiences and generations in America. The documentary also interviews and highlights the creative contributions from Kitty Black Perkins and Stacey McBride Irby, the two women who aided in designing the first Black Barbie doll. Through these charismatic insiders’ stories, the documentary tells the story of how the first Black Barbie came to be in 1980, examining the importance of representation and how dolls can be crucial to the formation of identity and imagination.
Unbox and become engaged as you view this very motivational and important historical documentary. The film allows viewers to back reminisce and feel nostalgic, while also being reminded about the role race has played in American history for generations, how it can impact all ages, and also what its like when you are courageous enough to speak up and spark change. Black Barbie: A documentary is a celebration of Black culture over the past 70 years and of the specific influence the Black Barbie doll had on an entire industry, culture, and society that is still relevant decades later.
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Take a look inside the box to find out more about how this iconic doll came to fruition and how she changed an entire industry and generational outlook on toys.
Black Barbie is streaming now on Netflix.