Documentary 'Black Barbie' Explores Doll's Cultural Impact and Untold Stories

Lagueria Davis's new documentary, 'Black Barbie,' explores the creation and cultural impact of the first Black Barbie doll, drawing on the experiences of her aunt, Beulah Mitchell, who played a significant role in its inception. The film covers the stories of key figures like designers Kitty Black Perkins and Stacey McBride-Irby, who helped turn Black Barbie into a cultural icon. Featuring interviews with influential Black women such as Shonda Rhimes, Misty Copeland, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, the documentary delves into themes of representation, identity, and the broader societal impact of the doll. The project aims to highlight the importance of diversity in toys and how it influences beauty norms and self-worth across generations. Davis's journey began with her discovering her aunt's extensive doll collection and realizing the untold story behind it, leading her to make the film to fill the gaps in mainstream documentation of Black Barbie's history.