- Social Innovation Fellowship
Concentration
Award Year
USA
My research has shown that in order to combat issues of colorism and internalized racism, there must be more exposure to diversity. These issues thrive off of black women’s lack of knowledge of proper hair care, empowerment in cultural identity and natural beauty. My project is a doll and storybook that teaches young black girls about their roots and the history of the African Diaspora. My venture aims to educate young Black girls by creating diversity in dolls and a story that engenders acceptance and understanding. It is extremely powerful and influential to have a doll that looks like you in all your aesthetics. Unfortunately many of today’s dolls do not accurately reflect Black girls. Black girls do not have dolls that look like them. My dolls will come in a multiple hair types ranging from 3b-4c and a variety of skin tomes to accurately represent the diversity of the African Diaspora. This doll combats issues of internalized racism and colorism toy creates a positive experience for children.
There are cute people of all kinds of skin tone/features/hair combinations. There should be cute dolls of all kinds of skin tone/features/hair combinations.