Category Archives: modern black dolls

Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls

Name: Soul Train Shani, Asha, Jamal, and Nichelle Made by and When: Mattel, 1993 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle) and 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Shani and Nichelle have rooted long black hair; Asha has auburn rooted hair. Jamal has sculpted black hair/painted brown eyes/smiling mouths with painted appearance of teeth. Clothes:Continue reading “Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls”

Shani and Her Friends

Name: Shani and Her Friends Asha, Nichelle, and Jamal Made by and When: Mattel, 1991 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle); 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: All three have rooted, wavy textured hair with bangs. Shani and Nichelle have long black hair; Asha has long auburn hair. Their large eyes are painted brown.Continue reading “Shani and Her Friends”

Sunsational Malibu Christie

Name: Sunsational Malibu Christie Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Brown below-the-shoulder-length curly hair, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow one-piece, orange-trimmed bathing suit; mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: An illustration of a doll with the Steffie head sculpt is on the lower bottomContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Christie”

Sunsational Malibu Ken

Name: Sunsational Malibu Ken (1st Black Ken) Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 12 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black-rooted Afro, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow swim trunks with orange trim, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: Often referred to as “Afro Ken” because it is the first Black KenContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Ken”

Magic Curl Barbie

Name: Magic Curl Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Dark brown curly hair that can be “straightened”, brown-painted eyes, slightly parted lips Clothes/Accessories: Yellow full-length dress with puffed sleeves and a sash, a white hair ribbon, a yellow towel wrap, high-heel mules, one each small andContinue reading “Magic Curl Barbie”

Yara Shahidi Barbie

Name: Yara Shahidi Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 2020 Material: Vinyl, Made to Move Petite body Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black curly textured hair, brown painted eyes and eyelashes, smiling mouth with painted teeth Clothes: Yara Shahidi Barbie wears a gray tweed-ish pants suit, a white tee with VOTE printed on theContinue reading “Yara Shahidi Barbie”

Venus and Serena Williams

Photographs courtesy of Telisa Spain and John (ebay seller oxy–moron) Name: American Champions Venus and Serena Williams Made by and When: Play Along, 2000 (released in 2001) Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Rooted hair with multiple braids/painted brown eyes/smiling mouths with painted teeth Clothes: Venus: Tennis dress has white halter straps, a red bodiceContinue reading “Venus and Serena Williams”

George Washington Carver

Name: George Washington Carver Made by and When: Hallmark, 1979 Material: Stuffed cloth Marks: Body tag reads: Hallmark Cds., Inc. / K.D. Mn / Made in Taiwan / 400 DT 113-7 / George Washington Carver Doll / Toy; the reverse side reads, February, 1979. Height: 7-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Screen-printed hair and facial featuresContinue reading “George Washington Carver”

Leontyne Grace

Name: Leontyne Grace Made by and When: Frantz Brent-Harris of Sona Dolls (2018) Material: Resin Height: 12 inches, full figured Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black curly removable Afro wig/brown painted eyes/closed mouth Clothes: Wears a red and black houndstooth knit dress, belted at the waist with a black patent-leather belt, a gold tone and black beaded necklace, andContinue reading “Leontyne Grace”

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”