When Healthy Roots Dolls first launched its Kickstarter campaign to fund its toy company that “creates dolls and storybooks that teach natural hair care to young girls of color,” the response was tremendous. It raised nearly $50,000 and garnered support and praise from the startup community. And soon after, the brand’s first doll, Zoe, was born.
On October 8th, Healthy Roots Dolls launched a collaboration with Procter & Gamble’s My Black Is Beautiful (MBIB) to release a limited edition Zoe doll that comes equip with a curl care kit. The kit includes matching special edition My Black Is Beautiful t-shirts for Zoe and her “curl friend,” and the My Black Is Beautiful Golden Milk Collection Hydrating Shampoo, Fortifying Conditioner, Intense Recovery Treatment and two Tangle Slayer Conditioning Creams.
“Toys influence how children think, act and see themselves, so when little girls can’t find dolls that look like them, it negatively impacts their self-esteem,” said Healthy Roots Dolls founder Yelitsa Jean-Charles. “Working with My Black Is Beautiful has allowed us to align with a brand that shares our vision of redefining the standard of beauty and redefining Black. Healthy Roots Dolls is honored to be partnering with them this holiday season offering our reimagined Zoe doll and Curl Care Kit. It’s going to be an experience that children will remember for a lifetime!”
Zoe’s realistic features and curly hair are designed to reinforce positive self-perceptions among young girls, according to Healthy Roots Dolls. Made from a unique fiber that mimics human hair, Zoe’s curls are product-friendly and ready for styling. Little girls can wash her hair, twist it out, braid it, and care for it the way they would their own hair.
A “curl friend” and her Zoé doll in matching MBIB t-shirts(Instagram/@healthyrootsdolls)
“Since 2006, My Black Is Beautiful has empowered over 3 million women to celebrate their beauty both inside and out,” said Lela Coffey, Director of Multicultural Beauty at P&G. “The partnership with Healthy Roots Dolls furthers our mission to ensure young girls and women of color are celebrated for their uniqueness and beauty, and are being supported in building a positive self-image with products designed especially for her natural hair texture.”
And so far, it seems that Healthy Roots Dolls and MBIB are fulfilling that mission. Zoe has received five out of five stars across all reviews, and women and young girls alike are enjoying her.
“The smile says it all. Zoe came to live with my great niece and she instantly started styling her hair. Zoe is a positive teaching tool. Just look at this smile!” said consumer Corky P.
Kari D. said, “Zoe came packaged securely and the curl care kit she came with was a perfect extra touch! So thrilled that healthy roots dolls exists.”
With holiday shopping already under way, this collaboration couldn’t come at a better time. It’s the gift of curls and a celebration of Black beauty. And in 2020, Healthy Roots Dolls will be introducing accessories and new play experiences for Zoe.
You can shop the Limited Edition My Black Is Beautiful Zoe Doll Bundleand learn more about what Healthy Roots Dolls has planned beyond the collaboration by visiting healthyrootsdolls.com.
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