Category Archives: modern black dolls

The Michelle Obama Dress-up Doll

Name: The Michelle Obama Dress-up Doll Made by and When: Danbury Mint, 2009 Material: Vinyl, string jointed, with 12 points of articulation Marks: D / M ©MBI (the D is over the M with a line drawn between the D and the M) Height: 16 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Removable center-parted black bob wig that attaches toContinue reading “The Michelle Obama Dress-up Doll”

Nelson R. Mandela

Name: Nelson R. Mandela Talking Action Figure Made by and When: Time Capsule Toys® 2005   Material:  Vinyl and rigid plastic Height:  12 inches with extra articulation Hair/Eyes/Mouth:  Sculpted gray hair/painted blue eyes/smiling, open mouth with painted teeth Clothing:  Blue three-piece suit, white shirt, blue tie, black socks and shoes; (white boxer shorts have the SouthContinue reading “Nelson R. Mandela”

Black Dolls Journey Through Time With Denise Bond

This is a still shot from the video: Black Dolls a Journey Through Time exhibit that was held in September 2018.

Muhammad Ali “I Am the Greatest”

Name: Muhammad Ali “I Am the Greatest” Made by and When: Effanbee, 1986 Material: All vinyl Marks: Effanbee / 1986 / M. ALI (on the head) Height: 18 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Molded black hair/painted brown eyes/closed mouth Clothes: Wears a replica of Ali’s Everlast white satin, red-trimmed boxing trunks with matching robe; wears molded-on boxing glovesContinue reading “Muhammad Ali “I Am the Greatest””

Destiny’s Child Dolls (Mattel)

Photographs courtesy of Telisa Spain Name: Destiny’s Child Dolls (Kelly, Beyoncé, and Michelle) Made by and When: Mattel, ©2005 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Below-the-shoulder-length brunette rooted hair (Kelly and Michelle), long blonde rooted hair (Beyoncé)/painted brown eyes with rooted eyelashes/smiling mouths with molded and painted teeth Clothes:  Kelly, Beyoncé, and Michelle wear gold, pink,Continue reading “Destiny’s Child Dolls (Mattel)”

Brains and Beauty Malia and Khari

Name: Malia and Khari Made by and When: Brains and Beauty Dolls; released in 2017 and 2018, respectively Material: Artist-doll-type vinyl heads, arms, legs, and breastplates; their cloth mid torsos house their removable voice boxes in a zippered back compartment. Malia has a medium brown complexion; Khari’s complexion is lighter. Marks: (On the heads) BrainsContinue reading “Brains and Beauty Malia and Khari”

Here Comes Niya

Name: Here Comes Niya Made by and When: HCN Enterprises, Inc. / 1990 (released on February 1, 1991) Material: Vinyl head, arms, and legs; white cloth body with voice box Marks: NIYA 1990 (on head) Height: 24 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black rooted hair styled in two side ponytails with a spiral curl on the forehead/brown paintedContinue reading “Here Comes Niya”

Big Beautiful Doll Dasia

Name: Dasia Made by and When: Big Beautiful Dolls, Inc.; 2001 Material: Vinyl Marks: ©BIG BEAUTIFUL / DOLLS INC. 2000 (on the head); Big / Beautiful / Dolls / Inc. / ©2001 (on the back) Height: 12 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black rooted hair in a curly updo style/brown painted eyes/closed mouth Clothes: Wears a black velourContinue reading “Big Beautiful Doll Dasia”

Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose

Name: Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose Made by and When: Wyatt Hicks, 2015 Material: Sculpey, cloth, and wire Height: 6 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouths: Hats cover their hairless heads, and their faces are without features. Clothes: Yellow knit dresses and floppy hats Other: Limited-edition posable praise dancers sold in sets of three, inspired byContinue reading “Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose”

American Girl Gabriela McBride 2017 Doll of the Year

Name: Gabriela McBride Made by and When: Pleasant Company, 2017 Material: Vinyl head, arms, and legs; cloth body Height: 18 inches (and 6-1/2 inches) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Long, curly brown hair/brown sleep eyes/smiling mouth with two upper teeth Clothes: Gabriela wears a cropped purple sweater with silver dream graphic and soft turquoise tank top; a fitted pairContinue reading “American Girl Gabriela McBride 2017 Doll of the Year”