Black Doll Project

To be young, gifted and black…

Not only does Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute focus on promoting literacy and diversity in books, but our concern also includes increasing opportunities for Black children to see a reflection of themselves in the world around them through their toys.  This visual inclusion will foster positive self-esteem and promote self-respect in our future emerging leaders.

There are very few Black dolls or toys widely available or at an affordable price.  The importance of children seeing their own faces reflected in their toys can’t be underestimated. Prejudice, discrimination, and segregation can create a feeling of inferiority in African American children and damages their sense of self-worth. This happens at a very early age.  We believe that the Black Doll Project could be one way of beginning to change this reflection and intervene at earlier stages of development.

The importance of self-identity was highlighted during the legendary U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. The Board of Education (1954), which effectively paved the way for ending racial segregation in public schools. The plaintiffs, led by future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, used the “Doll Test” (known as the “Clark Test”) to show the damaging effect of racism on the development of Black children. The test was created by two psychologists, Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark. Black children were asked basic questions about the intellectual capacity and worth of Black dolls in comparison to white dolls. Tragically, the overwhelming majority characterized their Blackness as “looking bad” and not a “nice color.” The results of this experiment were used to support the decision to desegregate the schools and create equal access to education. 

Almost 70 years after Brown v. Board, we still mourn these devastating examples of the damage done by systemic racism on our children. This compelled us to take action with the launch of the Black Doll Project. 

Following our social enterprise model, the Black Doll project with the sale of each doll, we donate a doll to a child in need. Our first doll – Miss Freedom Fighter Esquire Doll comes as a supplemental learning tool to the book, Justice Makes a Difference.   

We are also a vendor for Nana dolls. Nana means Queen or King in West, Africa, Ghana.  There were many strong courageous women from all over Africa who helped to fight for freedom.  Amongst those are four who have inspired the Nana dolls.  Yaa Asantewaa from Ghana, Mbuya Nehanda from Zimbabwe, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti from Nigeria, and Miriam Makeba from South Africa.  Each doll’s character is inspired by one of these historical Queens.

LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE:

Help a child to discover their beauty and unveil their limitless potential.

 

Positive Affirmations- Create daily affirmations to remind your child about their beauty and brilliance. You can begin by helping your child to create 3 powerful “I am” statements. Examples include: I am strong. I am smart. I am beautiful.

Images- Post and hang images within your home which reflect the beauty and great intellect of people of African descent. For example, post a picture of the legendary scientist (Dr. George Washington Carver) or the founder of Black History Month (Dr. Carter G. Woodson). Hang artwork from African artists which embody positive images of black children.

Reading materials- Invest in reading materials for the special young person in your life. These books will serve as a source of inspiration while aiding them in discovering the leader within.

Suggested readings:
• “Akua is Great” (2021) by Dr. Artika R. Tyner
• “Amina of Zaria: The Warrior Queen” (2021) by Dara Beevas
• “Black Barbie” (2020) by Comfort Arthur
• “I know I Can!” (2015) by Veronica Chapman
• “Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire” (2017) by Dr. Artika R. Tyner and Jacklyn Milton

Share our PPGJLI Pledge- Encourage the young people in your life to R.I.S.E. to new heights by learning these leadership characteristics:

Respect, Integrity, Self-Awareness, Engagement

Changing the narrative, one doll at a time…