The trailer for the Black Barbie film has just launched and the upcoming film will be streaming on Netflix and will tell the story of Mattel's inclusive iconic doll. The film dives into the history and cultural importance of the brand's first Black barbie doll, which made its first appearance in 1980.
It is directed by Lagueria Davis and the tale follows the cultural contributions of three main Black women at Mattel. This includes Beulah Mar Mitchell, Stacey McBride Irby, and Kitty Black Perkins. All three women were pivotal when it came to bringing the Barbie to life as Mitchell asked the question "Why don't we make a Barbie that looks like me?" to Ruth Handler, founder of the company.
Image Credit: Netflix
What's Driving This Trend
- Diverse Storytelling in Film
- The Black Barbie film showcases the increasing importance of telling diverse origin stories in mainstream media.
- Cultural Representation in Toys
- The history of the first Black Barbie highlights a significant shift towards cultural representation within the toy industry.
- Inclusive Media Production
- By focusing on pivotal Black women in its creation, the film underscores a growing trend in inclusive media production.
Who This Affects Most
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry is increasingly capitalizing on inclusive stories that reflect diverse cultural histories.
- Toys and Games
- The toy industry is witnessing an evolution with a stronger emphasis on creating products that cater to diverse demographics.
- Media and Broadcasting
- Media and broadcasting industries are expanding to include more content that addresses cultural representation and inclusivity.
