Watch The Trailer For ‘Black Barbie’, Origin Story Of Mattel’s Inclusive Doll
Video screenshot via Netflix
A new Barbie movie is coming out, but it’s not all washed in pink—and white. Netflix is dolling up to tell the story of Black Barbie, executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, known for hits like Bridgerton, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder. The film centers around the history and cultural significance of the first Black Barbie doll, which made its debut in 1980, and you can watch the trailer here.
Directed by Lagueria Davis, Black Barbie chronicles the contributions of three key Black women at Mattel—Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, and Stacey McBride Irby—who were instrumental in bringing this plastic family member to life. It all began with Mitchell, a pioneering Mattel employee who courageously asked Ruth Handler, the company’s co-founder, “Why don’t we make a Barbie that looks like me?”
A simple question, but it set the stage for a transformative journey within the company.
Image via Netflix
“If you’ve gone your whole life and you’ve never seen anything made in your own image, there is damage done,” Rhimes can be heard saying in the trailer.
There’s a sense of both personal triumph and cultural significance as the video reveals the challenges faced in getting the doll approved and the overwhelming joy it brought to young girls who finally saw themselves reflected in the world of Barbie.
Through engaging interviews, archival footage, and vivid storytelling, the documentary, streaming June 19, revisits the pivotal moments at Mattel that led to the doll’s creation. It underscores the broader message that dolls are more than just toys; they are powerful symbols of identity and imagination.
