The creator of the first Black Barbie grew up in segregated South Carolina and went on to become principal designer for Mattel
![Amazon.com: Barbie Signature 40th Anniversary First Black Doll, Approx. 12-in, Wearing Red Gown, with Accessories, Doll Stand and Certificate of Authenticity : Toys & Games Amazon.com: Barbie Signature 40th Anniversary First Black Doll, Approx. 12-in, Wearing Red Gown, with Accessories, Doll Stand and Certificate of Authenticity : Toys & Games](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81j8vogGqDL.jpg)
Amazon.com: Barbie Signature 40th Anniversary First Black Doll, Approx. 12-in, Wearing Red Gown, with Accessories, Doll Stand and Certificate of Authenticity : Toys & Games
![Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play](https://www.museumofplay.org/app/uploads/2019/04/TwistNTurnChristy-725x1024.jpg)
Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play
![Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play](https://www.museumofplay.org/app/uploads/2019/04/BlackBarbie.jpg)
Kitty Black Perkins: The African American Designer behind the First Black Barbie - The Strong National Museum of Play
![Barbie launch first black doll that will look like real people by having fuller features | Daily Mail Online Barbie launch first black doll that will look like real people by having fuller features | Daily Mail Online](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/10/09/article-1219257-06C16B75000005DC-282_468x490.jpg)
Barbie launch first black doll that will look like real people by having fuller features | Daily Mail Online
![For Black History Month: the first black Barbie (as opposed to "friend of Barbie" Francie and Christie)! My box is dated 1979, even though Mattel lists her intro as 1980. "She's black! For Black History Month: the first black Barbie (as opposed to "friend of Barbie" Francie and Christie)! My box is dated 1979, even though Mattel lists her intro as 1980. "She's black!](https://i.redd.it/for-black-history-month-the-first-black-barbie-as-opposed-v0-p9msh8a2y7ga1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5dcba7dbb537b23bf5c20a8b835eb0dca40c310c)
For Black History Month: the first black Barbie (as opposed to "friend of Barbie" Francie and Christie)! My box is dated 1979, even though Mattel lists her intro as 1980. "She's black!
![For Black History Month: the first black Barbie (as opposed to "friend of Barbie" Francie and Christie)! My box is dated 1979, even though Mattel lists her intro as 1980. "She's black! For Black History Month: the first black Barbie (as opposed to "friend of Barbie" Francie and Christie)! My box is dated 1979, even though Mattel lists her intro as 1980. "She's black!](https://i.redd.it/for-black-history-month-the-first-black-barbie-as-opposed-v0-953nfn24y7ga1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eaa5b1948e0f050462be584ebcc8c0a7cd2cc168)