The trailer for “Black Barbie” has been released! This documentary explores the origins of the iconic doll and its profound influence on young girls and the Black community.
Shonda Rhimes presents the fascinating origin story of the first Black Barbie, now streaming on Netflix!
Following the Barbie craze of last year, this new documentary delves into the story of Black Barbie, shedding light on its cultural significance and featuring interviews with Black Mattel staffers from the era.
The Black Barbie documentary trailer is out
The beloved toy of every young girl was so heavily represented by white features that Black girls often felt overlooked. “When I think of Barbie, I envision a little white doll with blue eyes, dressed in all pink. That’s what comes to mind,” expresses a woman in the trailer.
However, the introduction of the first Black doll in 1980 sparked a cultural movement that profoundly impacted generations of young Black girls. “I designed Black Barbie to embody the complete essence of a Black woman,” shares Kitty Black Perkins, the designer behind Black Barbie, in the footage.
Another woman reads aloud the words printed on the doll’s box: “She’s Black. She’s beautiful. She’s dynamite.”
What’s the documentary all about?
Directed by Lagueria Davis and produced by Shonda Rhimes of Shondaland in collaboration with Netflix, the film chronicles the origin of Black Barbie and its evolution from being merely a “friend” of Barbie’s to becoming a mainstream doll.
Beulah Mae Mitchell, a former employee of Mattel, shares a photo of herself with Barbie creator Ruth Handler. In the trailer, Mitchell reveals that Handler often sought her input, and she didn’t hesitate to express, “‘We want a Black Barbie.’”
Former Mattel employees Mitchell, Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby reminisce about the period leading up to the launch of the first Barbie of color. Additionally, various women in the clip share how the introduction of a Black Barbie left a lasting impact on their childhoods.
The documentary will be released on Netflix on June 19.
