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The film begins with a personal story as filmmaker Lagueria Davis visits her aunt, Beulah Mitchell, an 83-year-old woman who worked at Mattel in the 1960s. As Davis learns about her aunt’s pivotal role in advocating for the creation of a Black Barbie, she is inspired to dive deeper into the historical significance of the toy. The documentary follows the story of Mitchell, along with other Black women at Mattel, like Kitty Black Perkins, the first Black designer at the company, who created the first Black Barbie in 1980. Through interviews with Black women who were instrumental in the doll's creation and cultural scholars, Black Barbie examines how the introduction of a doll that reflected the true beauty of Black women resonated deeply within the Black community. The film also highlights the journey of diversity within the toy industry, showing how Black Barbie was a revolutionary step toward inclusion, giving young Black girls a toy that celebrated their own image. Featuring powerful voices like Shonda Rhimes, ballerina Misty Copeland, and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad—each of whom has had a Barbie created in their likeness—the documentary illuminates how representation matters not just in toys but in all forms of media and culture. Through a mix of personal stories, historical insights, and cultural reflection, Black Barbie showcases how one doll became a symbol of empowerment and change for generations of Black women.
Black Barbie: A Documentary is a compelling and deeply personal film that dives into the significance of the first Black Barbie doll, revealing the groundbreaking story of its creation and impact on culture and identity. Directed by Lagueria Davis, the film blends historical accounts with personal testimonies, centering on Davis' aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, who played a pivotal role in the making of the first Black Barbie while working at Mattel. This Netflix documentary explores the broader implications of Black representation in the toy industry and how dolls like Black Barbie have contributed to shaping young girls' self-image and understanding of beauty.
At its heart, the film examines the importance of young Black children seeing themselves represented in the toys they play with. Before Black Barbie, dolls were predominantly white, reinforcing a standard of beauty that excluded Black features and skin tones. The introduction of Black Barbie allowed little Black girls to see themselves reflected in their toys for the first time, boosting self-esteem and challenging traditional beauty norms.
The documentary also traces how the success of Black Barbie paved the way for further inclusivity within the Barbie brand, with subsequent releases of dolls in various skin tones, body types, and career roles. It highlights the work of designers like Stacey McBride-Irby, who developed the So In Style line, offering even more diverse representations of Black life and community.
While exploring the commercial success of Black Barbie, the film delves into the larger legacy of the doll as a symbol of empowerment for Black women. From its conception to its cultural impact, Black Barbie was more than just a doll—it was a powerful statement that Black is beautiful, and that all children deserve to see themselves represented in their toys.
With a mix of humor, emotion, and social critique, Black Barbie: A Documentary takes audiences on a journey of pride, history, and the continued importance of representation. It not only celebrates the doll but also the women behind its creation and the generations it has inspired.
The film also takes a closer look at the struggles Black women faced working at Mattel during a time when diversity initiatives were not common. The women who pushed for Black Barbie, including Kitty Black Perkins, faced resistance and had to navigate a predominantly white corporate environment to make their voices heard.
The film culminates in a celebration of Black Barbie’s legacy, not just as a toy but as a cultural milestone that helped reshape the way Black beauty and identity were viewed in mainstream media. Black Barbie has become a beacon of what can be achieved when diverse voices are given a platform, and this documentary honors that journey in a powerful and elegant way.
The documentary is not only a tribute to the first Black Barbie but also a love letter to the Black women who made it possible and to the generations who grew up seeing their beauty and culture reflected back at them through this iconic doll.
Black Barbie: A Documentary explores the history and cultural impact of the first Black Barbie doll, created in 1980. It follows the journey of Black women who worked at Mattel and pushed for more representation in toys, particularly Beulah Mae Mitchell and designer Kitty Black Perkins.
The documentary was directed by Lagueria Davis, who was inspired by her aunt Beulah Mitchell's role in the creation of the first Black Barbie doll.
Black Barbie was a revolutionary step in toy history, providing young Black girls with a doll that reflected their own beauty and identity. It challenged the predominantly white beauty standards of the toy industry and became a symbol of empowerment for Black women.
The film features interviews with Black women who worked at Mattel, including Kitty Black Perkins, along with high-profile figures like Shonda Rhimes, Misty Copeland, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Black Barbie: A Documentary premiered as a work-in-progress at the 2023 South by Southwest Film Festival. It later became a part of Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland deal with Netflix.
Beulah Mae Mitchell, Lagueria Davis’ aunt, worked at Mattel for over 40 years and was one of the first people to advocate for the creation of a Black Barbie doll, pushing the company's founder to consider more inclusive toys.
Before Black Barbie, Black dolls like "Christie" and "Nurse Julia" were secondary characters or celebrity-based dolls. Black Barbie, designed by Kitty Black Perkins, featured distinct Black features, including a short afro, fuller lips, and a wide nose, embodying Black beauty for the first time in Barbie form.
The film highlights how toys can shape children's self-image and cultural identity, emphasizing the need for diverse representation in the toy industry. It also discusses the long-standing lack of inclusivity in Barbie dolls and how Black Barbie helped change that narrative.
Black Barbie: A Documentary has been praised for its insightful and heartfelt exploration of the intersection between toys, race, and culture. Viewers have especially appreciated the personal stories shared by the Black women who helped bring Black Barbie to life.
The documentary is available to stream on Netflix as part of Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland projects. You can catch it there to learn more about the inspiring story behind the iconic doll.
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