Janai Nelson and Crystal Granderson-Reid thought of the idea for the dolls during a play date for their children. Janai Nelson says the two of them learned that they shared the same ideas about raising children.
JANAI NELSON: “We both are extremely interested in raising our children with a world outlook and a global view. And we just didn’t see anything out there that they could embrace and see a reflection, not only of themselves, but also of the world at large.
The two women decided to develop a line of dolls that looked more like their children, and their children’s friends. They developed eight “Brownstone Buddies” in all. The dolls represent different cultures and are said to have different interests. Some were purposely designed to fight old stereotypes.
JANAI NELSON: “Each of the characters has a unique characteristic that we think is not often represented by their ethnicities, broadly speaking, in the media.”
One of the dolls is an Asian-American boy who loves sports. Another is a Latin American girl who loves to read and tell stories. There also is an African American girl who loves mathematics.
In two thousand six, the two women entered their creations in a competition at New York’s leading toy store, FAO Schwarz. The store is famous for offering interesting and unusual toys. The “Brownstone Buddies” were chosen as a finalist among more than two hundred toys. Janai Nelson says the dolls are a perfect reflection of the “great American melting pot,” but without the melting.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25