Black Barbie: A Documentary explores the true story behind Mattel’s first Black Barbie. Produced by Shondaland, the Netflix documentary continues the Barbie boom following Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster, although it takes a different approach by highlighting the profound societal impact of diversity and representation. Where Gerwig’s movie used satire to explore feminist themes, Lagueria Davis’ documentary delves into the transformative journey of Black Barbie, emphasizing the necessity of people seeing themselves reflected in popular culture. Through a blend of personal testimonies, archival materials, and incisive critique, Black Barbie chronicles the genesis and enduring legacy of Mattel’s first non-white Barbie.

At a time when dolls predominantly mirrored Western ideals, a Black Barbie emerged as a powerful symbol of inclusion. It succeeded in challenging old norms and paving the way for greater diversity in toy manufacturing. A central figure in Black Barbie is Kitty Black Perkins, who not only designed the iconic doll but also championed the broader movement towards representation within the industry. Her story underscores the documentary’s exploration of identity and cultural significance.

Mattel Released The First Black Barbie In 1980 – Why It Took So Long

The Delay Stemmed From Entrenched Societal And Corporate Factors

Mattel introduced the first Black Barbie in 1980, 21 years after the original doll’s debut. This delay stemmed from deep-seated societal and corporate factors. In the early years, the U.S. was grappling with racial segregation, influencing Mattel’s reluctance to diversify its product line. The Civil Rights Movement, gaining momentum in the 1960s, highlighted the need for representation, yet Western beauty standards prevailed. According to African American studies professor Dr. Patricia Turner, suggesting a Black Barbie was “a little act of revolution.”

The path to Black Barbie was further hindered by internal corporate dynamics and market caution. In the 1960s and 1970s, Mattel prioritized profit and feared alienating its white customer base. It wasn’t until the late 1970s, amid shifting societal attitudes and the advocacy of employees like Beulah Mae Mitchell, that Mattel recognized the demand. Mitchell’s persistence and collaboration with designer Kitty Black Perkins marked a pivotal moment, reflecting evolving views on cultural representation in toys.

Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins & Stacey McBride Irby’s Roles In Creating The First Black Barbie

Each Paved The Way For The Next

Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby played crucial roles in introducing the first Black Barbie. When Mitchell began working at Mattel in 1955, she was one of the company’s few Black employees. She encouraged Mattel founder Ruth Handler to create a Black Barbie in the early 1960s, an idea initially met with hesitation. Mitchell’s 45-year tenure at Mattel saw her transition from the production line to the corporate offices, where she and others continued to champion diversity with calls of, “We want a Black doll,” (via The Independent).

In this context, Kitty Black Perkins, who joined Mattel in 1976 as the company’s first Black designer, was instrumental in bringing Black Barbie to life. Perkins crafted a Barbie that celebrated Black beauty and culture, with full lips, a wide nose, bold colors, and a short afro. “When I designed this doll,” Perkins explained in Black Barbie, “there was a need for the little Black girl to have something she could play with that looked like her.” Her design was a departure from the traditional Barbie mold, offering a representation that resonated deeply with Black children and their families.

Stacey McBride Irby then further advanced this legacy with her contributions to the 2009 So In Style line of Black dolls. Irby’s designs emphasized mentorship and community among Black girls, featuring dolls with diverse skin tones, hairstyles, and fashion choices that reflected contemporary Black culture. Her work continued to broaden the scope of representation within the Barbie brand, reinforcing the importance of diverse and inclusive narratives in children’s play. Together, Mitchell, Perkins, and Irby’s roles exemplify the transformative power of representation in shaping not only toys but also societal norms and perceptions of beauty and identity.

How The First Black Barbie Changed The Toy Industry

It Led To A Whole World Of Black Dolls

The 1980 debut of Black Barbie heralded a groundbreaking shift in the toy industry, challenging longstanding norms of beauty and representation. Even with less advertising and marketing, “Black Barbie sold so well that it led to a whole world of Black dolls” (via CNN), including the Shani doll line in different shades and a 30th anniversary doll from Irby. By deviating from the beauty standards of that era, Black Barbie signaled the commercial viability of inclusive toys.

This shift influenced market strategies, prompting broader diversity in product lines and cultural narratives. The first Black Barbie thus prompted broader industry changes. Manufacturers responded by diversifying their product lines, offering dolls of varying ethnicities and backgrounds. Black Barbie director Lagueria Davis called this “a beautiful legacy story” that “shows how representation can work … [at] a time when there weren’t any DEI initiatives” (via CNN).

How Black Barbie: A Documentary Director Is Connected To The Toy

Beulah Mae Mitchell Is Her Aunt

In Black Barbie, director Lagueria Davis explores her family’s connection to the iconic doll through her aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell. Mitchell’s 45-year tenure at Mattel and her advocacy for a Black Barbie inspired Davis’s exploration of cultural representation. Discovering Mitchell’s role over a bottle of Manischewitz wine in Los Angeles illuminated Davis’s understanding of the doll’s significance.

Mitchell’s personal stories and interactions with Mattel’s founders provided an insider perspective that shaped Black Barbie: A Documetary’s narrative. Davis’s journey from skepticism to appreciation mirrored her evolving understanding of dolls’ impact on representation and identity. Her familial bond with Mitchell underscored the personal stakes in documenting Black Barbie’s cultural legacy. “Black Barbie is validation for my aunt and Kitty and Stacy, being seen and heard at a company where they were oftentimes silenced,” Davis said to CNN.

Sources: CNN and The Independent.