![]() Have you ever imagined that you were a superhero, saving New York (of course) from yet another villainous disaster? Now, thanks to Hasbro’s Selfie Series, you can “make room on your shelf for yourself.” The popular toy brand takes customization to whole new levels by letting you become a Power Ranger, a Ghostbuster or even a Star Wars character, with plenty of other licensed franchises to choose from. While MudPuppy is technically not a Black-owned brand, this product is a collaboration done in conjunction with actress Tabitha Brown, who recently released a collaboration with Target for the big box retailer’s 2023 summer collections. Better still, this is a tin set, which means it doubles as storage for easy cleanup. Kids can swap hairstyles and clothing on the four models. This cute screentime-free My Hair, My Crown magnetic play set works to reinforce the idea of “my Black is beautiful”-including thicker, curlier, and coilier hair textures. Because of this, many states have passed Crown Acts, making it illegal for a person to be fired, denied employment, or denied access to academic spaces because they’re wearing their hair in an Afro, locs, or protective styles. ![]() But for many Black people, just wearing your hair in its natural form can be a political statement and might even expose you to discrimination. View On Amazon $19 View On Walmart $22 View On įor most people, hair is an important part of their identity. But yes, this is one of the pricier dolls if you pick the full-size 18-inch version. From a wide range of skin tones, hair colors, eye colors, face shapes, and even freckles to opting for more gender-neutral threads for your doll, American Girl has mastered intersectional representation. Where American Girl really shines is with their Create Your Own Doll collection, which allows you to create a doll that looks exactly like your child if you prefer. I appreciated that they gave her earrings, which are culturally significant. ![]() I had Addy as a girl and loved styling her kinky-straight hair. These dolls have full storylines that are accurate and culturally relevant to the Black Experience for the periods they represent. If you prefer period-specific picks, you can choose from Addy Walker from 1864 (the first Black doll added to the lineup, with a somewhat controversial slavery-to-Underground Railroad backstory), Melody Ellison from 1964, and Claudie Wells from 1922. With Bitty Baby, its well-known historical and modern dolls, and even “Create Your Own” collections, American Girl was one of the first mainstream brands to embrace diversity in all its forms. Note that while we’re focused on Black representation in this guide, these principles are ideal for any diversity discussion surrounding gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, or culture. If you want your non-Black children to be comfortable around Black children (and of course children of other cultures or races), and to avoid ingesting and repeating biases, then exposure from an early age is critical. Prioritizing diversity isn’t just an issue in the Black community but for society at large. So, toy shopping has evolved to keep up with this reality. We’re also focused on members of the Black community in leadership roles, positions of power, and across socioeconomic categories-which dovetails with the concept of Black Excellence. We’re no longer simply saying “Black people exist” when discussing representation. The conversation is also nuanced these days. ![]() And while it’s no longer an anomaly to find dolls with different skin colors or shows featuring characters of varying backgrounds, it can still be daunting as a parent to proactively find those options. Anjali Ferguson, Ph.D., LCP, a culturally responsive licensed psychologist, reminds Parents that “representation through play, toys, and media at a young age is critical for identity and mental health outcomes in minoritized and diverse children.” We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you can see it, you can be it.” But what representation also does is normalize diversity and allow children to see themselves literally reflected back at them in everyday life. And this is why we're highlighting a few top picks for the best toys that encourage and represent Black excellence.Ĭonversations about representation aren’t new. But while most conversations about this topic center on fine or gross motor development, as well as behavioral skills like sharing and self-expression, there are levels to it-we’re talking about representation. As parents, this notion is drilled into our heads the minute you get that big fat positive pregnancy test result.
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