The doll’s creator, Shaneisha Dodson is an award-winning playwright and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Brilliant Girl and Black Girlz Productions. She was born in Arkansas and currently resides in Burbank, CA. Dodson earned a BA in psychology from Grambling State University, MA in counseling from Dallas Baptist University, an Ed.S in education from Walden University, and a certificate in women entrepreneurship from Cornell University.
In 2012, she took her love of the arts to the next level and founded Black Girlz Productions, LLC. Her company’s motto is “Dream BIG or go Home!” Her goal is to bring awareness to social issues through theatre. Dodson has written, directed and independently produced three full length productions that have toured throughout the United States. In addition, her work has been presented at the Playwrights Playground at the Classical Theatre of Harlem, Inkwell Theatre, Soundscape theater, HBMG Foundation and Logan Theatre. Her children’s play Dog, Cat & The Red Bird and Humans Are Weird are published in Drama Notebook. Her play Tired is published in the 8:20 monologue collection for New World Theatre. In 2017, her one act play Vagina Rights opened off-Broadway at the Strawberry one-act festival and won best theatrical presentation. In 2019, she curated Love Letters to the Black Man event that received recognition from the Mayor of Houston, TX.
In 2021, Dodson found the Brilliant Girl. She created the first ever 18-inch black superhero doll, Sugamama. Her company’s goal is to bring more representation into the toy industry.
Representation in toys and dolls is crucial for children’s development and self-esteem. By seeing themselves represented in their toys and playtime, children feel included, seen, and valued. It also promotes diversity and inclusivity, which is essential in a world that is becoming increasingly globalized. When children play with toys that accurately reflect the diversity of the world around them, they learn to appreciate and respect others from different cultures, races, and backgrounds, and they become more accepting and open-minded as they grow older. Therefore, it is important for brands to consider the importance of representation in their toy and doll designs to ensure that every child has the opportunity to see themselves reflected in their toys.
In 2022, Dodson donated over 90 dolls to children in need. She plans to increase this number in 2023.
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 592220