Jennifer Pierre: The Brown Doll Maker

    • rohit.david@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Jul 18 2016 1:53PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Jul 18 2016 1:53PM
Jennifer Pierre: The Brown Doll Maker

Tired of seeing shop shelves stacked with fair-skinned girl dolls, US-based Jennifer Pierre founded Melanites, a company that creates boy dolls that look African-American or Indian-American

What is the significance of the name Melanites?
It is a reference to the pigment, melanin that gives skin its colour. Melanites is a toy company whose primary goal is to produce dolls for boys with skin tones that cross the racial spectrum.
 
 
Why did you make dolls for boys?
Over the years I have mentored, tutored, and done voluntary work for countless children. In the process, I have seen the way many African-American kids, especially boys, suffered because of their race. Some of them were quite upset with the way they were treated outside their community. They lacked the maturity to understand that matters would change when they grew up. I wanted to change that. It was necessary to make them understand that dark is not bad. 
 
So, is Melanites your remedy for a social problem?
For me, it represents a social mission to celebrate my own brown skin. Inspired by the black and brown boys in my life, I wanted my line of dolls to reflect them in every possible way. 
 
 
Did you ever face racial discrimination yourself?
Not in that sense. When I was younger, it was always difficult to find dolls that looked like me. Everywhere I went saw dolls with blonde hair and blue eyes. As I grew up, nothing really changed. When Christmas or birthdays had to be celebrated, it was impossible to find dolls that looked like us.

Describe some dolls you have made for boys…
The new doll I am making combines the features of a traditional doll and an action hero. My "Action Pal" is 18 inches tall like a classic doll but its limbs can be manoeuvred, so that they look like action heroes. My "Pals" also have different skin tones, facial features, and hair types that reflect diverse ethnicities. As of now I have characters from an African-American, Indian-American and Caribbean background. It was important for me to highlight the culture of brown boys in my doll line.
 
What do you want to do next?
I would like to continue to motivate and empower children of different races. There are plans to create storybooks and accessories as well.
 
 

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