BLACK BARBIE

~ H O L I D A Y    S C R E E N I N G S ~

Friday December 15, 7:00 pm

Sunday December 17, 4:00 pm


Adults $10 advance, $15 door
Students $8 advance, $12 door
Kids 4–11, free admission when
accompanied by an adult
☀ Free dolls for kids will be offered at each screening by
The Brown Girl Project, subject to availability while supplies last.

Black Barbie

The little-known story of the women who
inspired Mattel to reflect the world we live in.

Through intimate access to charismatic Mattel insider Beulah Mae Mitchell, the director’s 83-year-old aunt, Black Barbie celebrates the Black women who refused to be invisible and their struggle to elevate their own voices and stories.

The documentary tracks the groundbreaking arrival of Mattel’s Black Barbie, exploring the intersection of merchandising, consumer expectation and cultural representation. These themes, along with the personal experience of audience members, are discussed in our post-film conversations led by a diverse array of community contributors.

Fascinating and inspiring, Black Barbie really shines when it comes to emotional connection – both within the film and in the audience discussions.

In the film, people from all walks of life — parents and children, collectors, educators, retailers and researchers, share their candid feelings about the public and behind-the-scenes transformation of the world’s most iconic doll.

After the Barbie Doll’s introduction in 1959, Mattel subsidized and mentored Shani, the black doll maker in Los Angeles. Starting In the ’60s Mattel introduced a number of black dolls but it took 21 years for Mattel to release the first Black Barbie in 1980.
Three Mattel employees, Beulah Mae Mitchell, Barbie designers Kitty Black Perkins and Stacey McBride-Irby  were driven by a simple premise:
“Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?”

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 

Pushed from within and also by consumers, Mattel made visible progress with its signature Barbie — diversifying the line with multi-cultural identities and career settings, plus a range of skin tones, hair types, body sizes, lifestyles and disabilities that reflect the world we live in. Early styling was influenced by Diana Ross, Lena Horne and Diahann Caroll.
☀ Now, Mattel has “Shero Barbies” and its “Inspiring Women” series— inspirational real-life role models for young people — Ava DuVernay, Ida B. Wells, Kathy Johnson, Misty Copeland, Francisca Mardones, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Frieda Kahlo, Ashley Graham,  Adwoa Aboah, Nichelle Nichols, Bindi Irwin, Gabby Douglas, Yara Shahidi, Tina Turner, Bessie Coleman, Brandy, Amelia Earhart, and Naomi Osaka, with more coming.

How this progress came about provides a poignant and still evolving story that springs engagingly to life, fostering meaningful audience discussions.

Learn more about this event in the tabs below – Photo Gallery, Event Details, Discussion Leaders, the Filmmakers, Black Doll History, Social Media Materials, Dining Options.
If you have questions/need assistance, call 859-957-FILM.

Gallery: Barbie stills and related photos – click to enlarge

DETAILS: WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW MUCH

WHAT:
“BLACK BARBIE: a Documentary”
Director Lagueria Davis, 2023, USA, TRT 100 min, not rated (G).  The feature film is preceded by a related short documentary, 4.5 minutes. Each screening includes post-film discussion, which most patrons find worthwhile. With intro, films and post-film audience conversation, allow 2.5 hours for the total experience. Free dolls for kids 4 – 11 will be offered at each screening by The Brown Girl Project, subject to availability while supplies last.

WHERE:
THE GARFIELD THEATRE, 719 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Google Map  …  Garfield Parking Options

WHEN:
Friday, October 6, 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 7, 4:00 pm
Sunday, October 8, 4:00 pm
Friday, November 10, 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 11, 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 12, 4:00 pm
Friday, December 15, 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 17, 4:00 pm

TICKETS:
Adult Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Student Tickets are $8 in advance, $12 at the door.
Free Admission for kids ages 4 – 11 when they are accompanied by a paid adult.
Tickets available online via the Tix Button (top of this webpage), and by phone at (859) 957-3456.

ADA ACCESS & SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
The Garfield is ADA accessible. ADA details and Covid-19 information is on the CWC Policies Page.

TERMS OF PURCHASE (In-Theatre):
Purchase of a ticket confirms acceptance by the purchaser that the presenter/host and their staff will not be liable for any loss, damage, action, claim, cost or expenses which may arise in the consequence of attendance at this event.
Purchaser declares that they will not attend unless in good health on the day of the event. Further, purchaser understands it is impossible to guarantee that they will not be exposed to Covid-19 and will attend at their own risk.
Outside food and beverage is not permitted in the theatre.  No refunds, all sales are final.

    DISCUSSION LEADERS

    Providing personal perspectives spanning a diverse array of professions, we are honored to have these talented community contributors leading Black Barbie audience conversations after the screenings.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Kashara Jones — Sun, Dec 17

    Kashara JonesWith twenty years at Fifth Third Bank, Kashara Jones has experience in mortgage lending, contractor relations and property management.

    A volunteer for fifteen years at the Winton Place Development Corporation, she has served as a board member and project manager, for the non profit that focuses on resident economic empowerment including the purchase and rehab of neighborhood properties. Kashara has also volunteered with Maslow’s Army and the Cincinnati Drum Camp.

    ~~~~~~~~

     

    Crystal Kendrick — Fri, Dec 15

    Crystal KendrickWith an MBA from Northern Kentucky University and BBA in Marketing from Temple University, Crystal Kendrick has accumulated 25 years marketing experience focusing on under-served, international and hard-to-reach populations. Building on management experience with major corporations such as Fifth Third Bank and General Cable, she has realized the American Dream – owning and operating her own business.

    Crystal’s marketing firm, The Voice of Your Customer, assists clients in using marketing techniques and tools to reach niche groups via media and outreach campaigns.

    Her parallel endeavor, The Voice of Black Cincinnati, serves to educate, recognize and create opportunities for African Americans in the region. The website offers local news, events calendars, business listings, job postings, scholarships and more.

    Crystal also finds time to give back as a volunteer — as a board member of CET Connect, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, Delta Sigma Theta, ArtsWave and the Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Alumni Council.

    ~~~~~~~~

     

    Lisa Lennon — Fri, Dec 15

    Hazel Pegues WilliamsLisa Lennon  received an MBA in Marketing from Xavier University, a BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech where she was president of the National Society of Engineers, and a BS in Chemistry from Spelman College, the oldest private historically Black liberal arts institution for women in the country.

    Building on eight years as Director, Research & Development at Procter & Gamble, in 2017 she became a senior lead consultant with Innovative Leaders, LLC. 

    Lisa’s career has focused on delivering innovation, intellectual property, consumer success, business growth and profitability in the consumer goods industry, where she gained experience leading and coaching women’s networks, African American Networks and technical women’s networks.  Her current volunteer experience includes board membership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

    ~~~~~~~~

     

    Tiffany Ware — Sun, Dec 17

    Tiffany WareCreative, energetic and outgoing, Cincinnati native Tiffany Ware holds a bachelor’s degree in business communication from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

    Founder and marketing director of The Brown Girls Project, for the past ten years she has passionately focused on BGP workshops and events that create community in safe spaces for young girls of color.

    Throughout her career in consumer products and education, Tiffany’s passion for writing, marketing, fashion and beauty led to her current role – working to see that young girls find their voice and understand that they have the strength, smarts and style to be happy and survive in the world.

    An important event presented by The Brown Girls Project is The Black Doll Giveaway – offering a variety of black dolls that allow children to see themselves reflected in their toys and encourage a sense of pride and self-acceptance.  Tiffany has graciously arranged for a doll giveaway at each of December’s Black Barbie screenings, intended for children ages 4 – 11.

    ~~~~~~~~

    BLACK DOLLS

    credit: Debbie Behan GarrettBlack Dolls — A Brief Overview

    Black dolls have been around for centuries. Earlier dolls offer stereotypical representation, while more recent depictions, often mass-produced, are more accurate and sometimes based on real people.

    Reference works exist on the Internet and through book sellers. Debbie Behan Garrett’s websites and books are among the most comprehensive and best illustrated in the field. Follow the links below for an extensive array of information and pictures:

    A fascinating excerpt from Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion. 

    Virtual Black Doll Museum.

    Black Doll Collecting Blog.

    THE FILMMAKERS

    Lagueria Davis, Director/Producer

    Lagueria Davis

    Lagueria Davis graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2007 with a BFA in Media Art. Since graduating, Davis has established herself as an award-winning filmmaker. Maid of Dishonor, a feature she co-wrote, was a 2016 Nicholls Fellowship Quarter-Finalist. In addition, she’s had four scripts place in the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. In 2019, her short film, Light in Dark Places hit the film festival circuit and is now streaming on Amazon.

    Currently, her project Black Barbie: A Documentary is moving from the festival circuit to theatrical release. She is a 2021 fellow in the Mentorship Matters program. Davis resides in LA where she’s on the Emeritus Board of the Alliance of Women Directors.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Aaliyah Williams, Producer

    Aaliyah WilliamsPeabody Award nominated producer Aaliyah Williams is the founder of Just a Rebel, a television and film production company that focuses on contemporary stories that center and celebrate Black women. Just A Rebel’s first look deal with CBS Television Studios has been renewed for a second year.

    Previously, Williams ran The Digital Studio at MACRO, where she developed and produced Gentefied which was acquired and adapted by  Netflix. Williams is an Executive Producer on the series which just wrapped Season 2 and received a Peabody nomination for Season 1.

    As CCO she co-created the MACRO Episodic Lab with the Black List’s Franklin Leonard. Additionally, she developed and produced the 2018 Sundance selection Leimert Park which is currently streaming on BET+ and has wrapped Really Love starring Kofi Siriboe, Uzo Aduba, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing.

    Originally from Arkansas and Oklahoma, Williams graduated from Harvard and is a Film Independent Project Involve, Sundance, and active Ron Brown Scholar alumna.

    ~~~~~~~~

    LinLay Productions, Executive Producers

    Grace Lay and Sumalee Montano

    LinLay Productions is led by Grace Lay and actress Sumalee Montano. The two Asian-American women support intergenerational stories that center multicultural talent in front of and behind the camera. LinLay strives to amplify voices that deserve the chance to leave a visible and lasting mark in the history of storytelling. LinLay’s first project, a dystopian sci-fi adventure titled The Deal, was produced with Lisa Brenner and Dean Devlin of Electric Entertainment.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Camilla Hall, Executive Producer

    Camilla HallCamilla Hall’s first feature documentary, Copwatch, was nominated for Best Documentary at Tribeca in April 2017. She produced feature documentary Circus of Books, premiered at Tribeca and sold to Netflix.

    She produced Freedom for the Wolf, which studied freedom struggles around the world. The film premiered at Sheffield Doc Fest, and screened at IDFA, won the Slamdance audience award and went on to show at over 40 festivals around the world.

     

    ~~~~~~~~

    Jyoti Sarda, Executive Producer

    Jyoti Sarda

    Jyoti Sarda brings twenty years as a senior-level global marketing executive with major studios and blue chip brands to developing impact-creating, documentary and narrative content through her company Nimble Media LLC.

    Her production And She Could Be Next, following a defiant women of color led movement to transform politics from the ground up aired on POV in June 2020.

    She is also Co-Executive Producer of Equal Means Equal, an award-winning documentary feature that is an unflinching examination of the discrimination against women built into the US legal system. She is intently focused on improving the diversity of elected officials and the electorate.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Milan Chakraborty, Executive Producer

    Milan ChakrabortyMilan Chakraborty is Head of Film at Marginal MediaWorks, where he oversees the company’s efforts in independent, studio and streaming film. He is a 15 year veteran of the film industry and has produced and executive produced about 20 films, including My Friend Dahmer, Assassination Nation, and Plus One.  Milan began his career at Warner Bros Pictures and New Line Cinema in production finance and accounting and has been independently producing and co-financing and since 2008.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Team member bios courtesy of BlackBarbieFilm.com.

    DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

    Lagueria Davis, Director/Producer

    Lagueria Davis

    Lagueria Davis graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2007 with a BFA in Media Art. Since graduating, Davis has established herself as an award-winning filmmaker. Maid of Dishonor, a feature she co-wrote, was a 2016 Nicholls Fellowship Quarter-Finalist. In addition, she’s had four scripts place in the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. In 2019, her short film, Light in Dark Places hit the film festival circuit and is now streaming on Amazon.

    Currently, her project Black Barbie: A Documentary is moving from the festival circuit to theatrical release. She is a 2021 fellow in the Mentorship Matters program. Davis resides in LA where she’s on the Emeritus Board of the Alliance of Women Directors.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Aaliyah Williams, Producer

    Aaliyah WilliamsPeabody Award nominated producer Aaliyah Williams is the founder of Just a Rebel, a television and film production company that focuses on contemporary stories that center and celebrate Black women. Just A Rebel’s first look deal with CBS Television Studios has been renewed for a second year.

    Previously, Williams ran The Digital Studio at MACRO, where she developed and produced Gentefied which was acquired and adapted by  Netflix. Williams is an Executive Producer on the series which just wrapped Season 2 and received a Peabody nomination for Season 1.

    As CCO she co-created the MACRO Episodic Lab with the Black List’s Franklin Leonard. Additionally, she developed and produced the 2018 Sundance selection Leimert Park which is currently streaming on BET+ and has wrapped Really Love starring Kofi Siriboe, Uzo Aduba, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing.

    Originally from Arkansas and Oklahoma, Williams graduated from Harvard and is a Film Independent Project Involve, Sundance, and active Ron Brown Scholar alumna.

    ~~~~~~~~

    LinLay Productions, Executive Producers

    Grace Lay and Sumalee Montano

    LinLay Productions is led by Grace Lay and actress Sumalee Montano. The two Asian-American women support intergenerational stories that center multicultural talent in front of and behind the camera. LinLay strives to amplify voices that deserve the chance to leave a visible and lasting mark in the history of storytelling. LinLay’s first project, a dystopian sci-fi adventure titled The Deal, was produced with Lisa Brenner and Dean Devlin of Electric Entertainment.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Camilla Hall, Executive Producer

    Camilla HallCamilla Hall’s first feature documentary, Copwatch, was nominated for Best Documentary at Tribeca in April 2017. She produced feature documentary Circus of Books, premiered at Tribeca and sold to Netflix.

    She produced Freedom for the Wolf, which studied freedom struggles around the world. The film premiered at Sheffield Doc Fest, and screened at IDFA, won the Slamdance audience award and went on to show at over 40 festivals around the world.

     

    ~~~~~~~~

    Jyoti Sarda, Executive Producer

    Jyoti Sarda

    Jyoti Sarda brings twenty years as a senior-level global marketing executive with major studios and blue chip brands to developing impact-creating, documentary and narrative content through her company Nimble Media LLC.

    Her production And She Could Be Next, following a defiant women of color led movement to transform politics from the ground up aired on POV in June 2020.

    She is also Co-Executive Producer of Equal Means Equal, an award-winning documentary feature that is an unflinching examination of the discrimination against women built into the US legal system. She is intently focused on improving the diversity of elected officials and the electorate.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Milan Chakraborty, Executive Producer

    Milan ChakrabortyMilan Chakraborty is Head of Film at Marginal MediaWorks, where he oversees the company’s efforts in independent, studio and streaming film. He is a 15 year veteran of the film industry and has produced and executive produced about 20 films, including My Friend Dahmer, Assassination Nation, and Plus One.  Milan began his career at Warner Bros Pictures and New Line Cinema in production finance and accounting and has been independently producing and co-financing and since 2008.

    ~~~~~~~~

    Team member bios courtesy of BlackBarbieFilm.com.

    SOCIAL MEDIA MATERIALS
    Use the graphics below for social media, e-mail and print applications. Illustrations are not actual size – right click and select “save as” to download the actual graphic. When you post or email, remember to include the link to the Black Barbie page, https://cincyworldcinema.org/black-barbie/, in your text. Questions? Call 859-957-3456.

     

    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD GRAPHIC

     

    Download Banner Graphic

     

    ~~~~~~~~

    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD GRAPHIC

     

    Download Social Media Post for FB, IG, TW, LI

     

    ~~~~~~~~

    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD GRAPHIC

     

    Download 8.5″ x 11″ PDF Flyer for Printing

    DRINKS & DINING

    CLICK TO ENLARGEIt couldn’t be easier – across the street from the Garfield Theatre, you’ll find the Butcher & Barrel, home of delicious shareables, salads, entrees, sides and desserts, plus excellent wine, craft beer and mixed drinks.

    For CWC patrons, the Butcher and Barrel offers a 15% discount on your order, excluding alcohol; menu is on the website. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially if you are dining between a CWC double feature. You should offer your online confirmation or ticket from the event, and let your server know if there are time constraints. The discount is valid only for the date of ticket.

    HOURS: MON, closed; TUE-WED-THS, 4-10 pm; FRI-SAT, 4-12 am; SUN, 4-10 pm. The kitchen closes one hour before the restaurant, every night. Hours and menu subject to change – check the website before booking.
    RESERVATIONS REQUESTED: 513-954-8974 or thebutcherbarrel.com.

     

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This