Representation Through Play: How Clara D. Lewis Built an Inclusive Black Doll Company

Clara D. Lewis was in her 40s when she became aware of the unconscious biases that informed her beauty ideals. As a Black woman, she grew up playing with dolls that did not look like her. For many generations and still today, Eurocentric features have been predominant in dolls: straight blond hair, blue eyes, thin nose. With Brown Diva Dolls, Clara D. Lewis seeks to break the cycle of low self-esteem that specifically targets Black girls and foster a culture of acceptance among the next generation. Her new line of children’s dolls, Brown Diva Dolls, she hopes to help children embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity that surrounds them. 

We spoke with Clara about the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur and lessons she’s learned along the way. 

OBM: It’s great to meet you, Clara. Tell us about the mission behind Brown Diva Dolls. Who is your largest demographic? 

Brown Diva Dolls really came from my own experience. I only realized my own beauty going into my 40’s. Growing up, I didn’t have any dolls that reflected my features – so when I started my company, I wanted every young girl to see a reflection of themselves in a beautiful doll. Our dolls range in skin complexion to hair color and hair texture. We want all little girls to feel represented.

OBM: What challenges have you faced while launching your brand? Any lessons you’ve learned along the way? My biggest obstacle was financially. I took my family savings to start my business, and with the support of my children I was able to achieve success. It was hard but I was passionate about my vision. Another obstacle was, I didn’t have anyone else to look up to for mentorship in the doll industry in Canada, so it was not easy for me. I had a large vision and wanted to find another entrepreneur to emulate. So until today, I am the only pioneer that specializes in creating the features you find in the dolls. 

The lessons I learnt was patience, we work hard but only see the fruits of our labor at a later date. Despite that, we have to keep going. A second lesson is knowing how to process a “no” and knowing when to go back and try again. Never give up. 

OBM: What makes Brown Diva Dolls unique? Brown Diva Dolls is unique because we go further than just skin complexion and hair texture, we want all children to feel represented, that’s why we have dolls with vitiligo, we have albino dolls, red haired dolls, we have a doll with a hijab, and now working on a doll in a wheelchair coming out soon to sensitize children to wheelchair accessibility. You see, that way every child can find themselves in Brown Diva Dolls. 

OBM: The holidays are right around the corner, where can our readers purchase the dolls? Readers can purchase the dolls online via https://browndivasdolls.com/ and in Canada at Tour de Jeux in Eaton Centre, Complex des Jardins and Fairview Pointe-Claire. Shipping to the US and Canada until the end of January 2023.

OBM: We are all about Black beauty, tell us what does Black beauty mean to you? Black beauty for me is natural. We have to learn how to appreciate our differences and see the beauty in each other. Black features are very unique and distinctive, we have so many beautiful shades of black beauty and that’s what makes us so special and beautiful. 

Thank you for speaking with us and congratulations on all your achievements!