First look at Shonda Rhimes' "Black Barbie"

June 5, 2024

Courtesy: NETFLIX

'She's black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!'

The documentary "Black Barbie", created by the renowned Shonda Rhimes (Shondaland) and distributed by Netflix, unveils the fascinating origin story of the first Black Barbie doll. This historical moment was sparked by the simple question by Beulah Mae Mitchell, 'Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?' The documentary delves into the challenges faced, the cultural impact, and the personal stories of those involved in the creation of the Black Barbie.

Not to be confused with Margot Robbie's babelicious fantasy "Barbie" (the 2023 mega-hit produced by Warner Brothers) "Black Barbie" is directed by Lagueria Davis and stars Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins and Stacey Mcbride-Irby as they narrate the story of how they were instrumental in getting Mattell, the company who creates the doll, in transitioning the brand to develop revolutionary dolls that represent women of color.

The original Barbie was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel. In 1967, Mattel attempted to make the first black Barbie with "Francie." Due to criticism of its Eurocentric features and poor sales, "Francie" was discounted in 1968. Mattel's second attempt to produce a Black doll came again in 1968 when "Christie" was created, centered on diversity during the Civil Rights movement. The third attempt came in 1969 with the release of "Julia".

In 1980, Black Barbie was introduced and was the first doll to be named Barbie. With ethnic features representing African American women, it was a symbol of pride and recognition, a multi-faceted and dimensional embodiment of positive imagery for millions of black girls everywhere.

The revolutionary Black Barbie was the brainchild of Kitty Black Perkins, a principal designer for Barbie at Mattel. Inspired by the legendary Diana Ross, Kitty designed the First Black Barbie, infusing it with Diana's grace and glamour. Beulah Mae Mitchell, one of the narrators in the documentary, also played a crucial role in advocating for a Barbie that represented her. Stacey McBride-Irby, another narrator, was instrumental in the design and development of the Black Barbie.

Courtesy: NETFLIX

Black Barbie is not just a doll, it's a symbol of diversity and cultural representation. It symbolizes pride and recognition, a multi-faceted and dimensional embodiment of positive imagery for millions of black girls everywhere.

This documentary is a testament to the empowerment of three remarkable women. It delves into their journey of breaking barriers, emphasizing the power and representation of girls and women of color. Their story is a celebration of embracing the beauty and richness in details that represent American culture through personal exploration and identification.

Black Barbie premiers on Netflix on June 19th.