Healthy Roots Dolls CEO, Yelitsa Jean-Charles, is making sure that she and her toy company make a difference in the lives of little Black and Brown girls. Jean-Charles has created dolls that encourage little girls to embrace their natural hair by seeing themselves reflected in their new best friend who also has real human hair that can be styled and washed in any way, just like them.
“I created Healthy Roots Dolls because I never had a doll that looked like me growing up. As a children’s illustrator, I understand that toys influence how kids think, act and see themselves, so when little girls can’t find dolls that look like them, it negatively impacts their self esteem. That’s why our Curlfriends Zoe, Marisol and Gaiana are more than just another doll painted brown. They are an educational play experience around hair care,” Jean-Charles said via general interview questions per the company’s Healthy Dolls Press Kit.
She added, “I never had a doll that looked like me growing up and it wasn’t until my junior year of college that I learned to love my natural hair. Because of this experience, I wanted to work in children’s media to create the representation I didn’t have growing up. I want to teach all Black girls to love their healthy roots.”
Jean-Charles says that one of the main point that she wants to ensure gets communicated to the community at large is that, “All children should love their healthy roots.”
“That no one should feel less than because of the kink of their curl or the color of their skin. All children should love their healthy roots,” Jean-Charles said via the company’s Healthy Dolls Press Kit.
“My entire journey building Healthy Roots Dolls started online with telling my story. I showed people my sketches, raised funds, asked people to vote for me in pitch competitions, and shared my challenges while asking for help. It’s not an overnight success. You build an audience by putting yourself out there while learning how to tell a really great story. Post the content, talk to people, and find your people.”
If you are still not convinced that you should add a Healthy Roots Doll to your little girl’s world, take a look at the Instagram reel below.
Per the Healthy Roots Dolls official website, did you know that, 65% of the world’s population has curly/wavy hair. In 2016, Dove conducted a study and found that only 4 out of 10 girls love their curls. We think that even more young girls will love their curls with this new educational addition to the family too!
Photo: Healthy Roots Dolls Press Kit; Healthy Roots Dolls Instagram
