I distinctly remember when my five-year-old daughter Channing started developing a mind of her own. Back in 1992, she celebrated her fifth birthday with a sleepover at our new home. The gifts she received from the party, the typical little girl presents, mostly dolls and all Barbie’s. During this time, I have strong recollections that my millennial never embraced the Barbie dolls.

My great surprise that my kindergartener knew what she wanted at that age. She didn’t want the world’s most famous fashion doll, Barbie, as other little black and white girls. What’s a mother to do with limited doll choices? Start a mission at Toys R Us shopping for doll babies reflecting African American hair and skin color. The selections were slim.
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