Here's how Black representation in the Barbie world has evolved over the years
The first Black Barbie debuted in 1979, two decades after Mattel introduced the original Barbie.
Before then, several Black American dolls were added to the Barbie franchise, like 'colored Francie' and Christie.
There have been many notable Black Barbie dolls throughout Mattel's history as it sought to expand representation.
1967: 'Colored Francie'
First issued in 1967, "colored Francie" was the first doll in the Mattel line with a dark complexion. She was a spinoff of the original Francie doll, which debuted in 1966 and was meant to be Barbie's European cousin.
However, because the doll was made with the same head mold as the original white Francie doll and doesn't have Black American features, "colored Francie" isn't regarded by some as the first Black doll in the Barbie universe.
1968: Christie
Almost a full decade after the first Barbie debuted, she got a friend, dressed in a mod-inspired swimsuit with a short '60s hairstyle. The Christie doll is widely considered the first true African American doll in the Barbie line.
She was introduced in the midst of the civil rights movement, when critics chided Mattel for failing to represent the diversity in America.
Christie has since been a long-running part of the Barbie franchise, revived throughout the years in iterations like the Sparkle Beach Christie doll in 1995 and the Barbie and Christie Exercise Fun doll in 2016.
1969: Julia
The Julia Barbie doll was one of the first Celebrity Barbie dolls.
"Julia" was a hit 1968 TV sitcom about a widowed single mother and registered nurse, Julia Baker, played by Diahan Carroll. The show was groundbreaking as the first weekly series to star a Black American woman in a non-stereotypical role.
1975: Cara
Cara was introduced in 1975 in two versions: Quick Curl Cara and Free Moving Cara. In 1976, Mattel released Quick Curl Deluxe Cara and Cara Ballerina.
1980: Black Barbie
Kitty Black Perkins, who had become Barbie's principal designer in 1978, was tasked with designing the first-ever Black Barbie.
"She's Black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!" the doll's box said.
In 1980, Mattel also released the first Hispanic doll named Barbie.
1991: Shani & Friends
The Shani & Friends collection was the first exclusive line of Black dolls, designed by Kitty Black Perkins.
Mattel created the line as an attempt to produce Black dolls with more accurate Afrocentric features, varying skin tones and hair colors and textures to represent the diversity of features in the Black community.
The line initially debuted with three characters, Shana, Asha, and Nichelle. Nichelle was named after "Star Trek" actress Nichelle Nichols.
The Shani dolls was discontinued in 1993. While no official reason was given, it's largely theorized that it was due to poor sales.
1994: Asha
After the Shani & Friends line was discontinued, Mattel made another attempt to release an exclusively African American collection with Asha. The three Asha dolls wore fashion inspired by African textiles. The line was discontinued after its initial production.
1994: Kenyan Barbie
"Kenyan Barbie doll is dressed in a traditional Masai moran (warrior) costume. Her dress, called a shuka, is red and white checked. Draped over her dress is a gorgeous kanga red cape with patterned white designs, accented by an elaborate multi-colored collar. Her accessories include matching bracelet, anklet, and red earrings," Mattel's site read.
1996: Nikki
Nicole "Nikki" O'Neil first appeared in 1996 as the best friend of Skipper, Barbie's younger sister. She was later revamped and became Barbie's best friend in 2005.
In late 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, Nikki and Barbie appeared in a viral video that confronted racism.
1996: Ghanaian Barbie
The Ghanaian Barbie was part of the 1996 Dolls of the World collection.
"Tour the wilds of Africa with this Collector Edition Barbie doll in a traditional costume from the West African country of Ghana. She wears an authentically styled Kente cloth tunic dress that ties into a bow below her knees. A brightly colored turban ties around her head and she wears flat golden sandals for walking through the lush forests. Her beautiful jewelry, including golden hoop earrings, a bangle bracelet and a seashell necklace, all add to the captivating charm of this African beauty," Mattel's description read.
1997: Tangerine Twist Barbie
The Tangerine Twist Barbie was another Kitty Black Perkins design.
"She's smart. She's classy. And just a little bit sassy," the box read. She's today's African-American woman — glamorous, exciting, and confident."
1997: Ruby Radiance Barbie
Adorned with Swarovski crystals, the Ruby Radiance Barbie doll is part of the Jewel Essence Collection, designed by renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie.
1999: Fantasy Goddess of Africa Barbie
Another Bob Mackie confection, the Fantasy Goddess of Africa Barbie was part of the International Beauty Collection.
The elaborate and expensive beadwork required to make the doll meant it was sold at a higher price upon release, according to the Hollywood Reporter. No more than 20,000 units were produced worldwide.
1999: Brandy Barbie
Mattel released the first Brandy doll in 1999. Kitty Black Perkins designed her fashion.
2000: Celebration Barbie
Mattel rang in the new millennium with their special Celebration Barbie dolls, which included an African American Barbie.
2002: Mystery Squad's Shawnee
Shawnee is a member of the four-person Mystery Squad.
2005: Destiny's Child
2009: So In Style Dolls
The So In Style (S.I.S.) line was developed in 2009 by Barbie designer Stacey McBride-Irby, who said she was inspired to create the fashion dolls after watching her daughter play.
"I want my new So In Style dolls to not only be an authentic representation of my community and culture, but to also encourage girls to be inspired and dream big," McBride-Irby said in the press release.
The dolls included Grace, Trichelle, and Kara, who acted as "big sister" mentors to younger dolls, Courtney, Janessa, and Kiana.
2010: Barbie Basics dolls
The Barbie Basics is a line of collector's edition Barbie dolls who all wear fashion basics, like the little black dress. The line features diverse dolls.
The dolls do not have names and are instead numbered. Model No. 4, pictured above, used the same head mold as the Fantasy Goddess of Africa doll. Both Model No. 8 and Model No. 10 are also African American dolls with different skin tones and hair styles.
2021: Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts
Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts was introduced in 2021 as Barbie's friend. Interestingly, they both have the same name, and instead refer to each other by nicknames based on the place where they're from.
Brooklyn has also appeared in Barbie movies and TV shows.
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