A realization dawns upon a Black mother as her daughter yearns for representation of Black female beauty

• At the age of 6, Zoe, the daughter of Evana Oli, questioned why her hair wasn’t considered pretty like her classmates.
• Oli, who grew up in Nigeria, understood the need for her daughter to have positive examples of Black beauty.
• Now, at the age of 11, Zoe has fully embraced her own hair.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Evana Oli. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When my daughter Zoe was 6 years old, she came home and asked me why her hair wasn’t straight and pretty like her classmates. Zoe is Black, but most of her classmates were white. We were living in Atlanta, a city with a thriving Black population, so I didn’t realize how the lack of diversity at Zoe’s school would impact her.

I decided to purchase a Black doll for Zoe. While she loved the toy, she couldn’t help but notice that it didn’t have hair like hers. I spoke to Zoe about her beautiful, curly hair and taught her affirmations to boost her self-confidence. However, she remained determined to have a doll that perfectly resembled her, including her hair.

As Zoe continued to express her desire for hair representation, I began reflecting on my own hair journey. Growing up in Nigeria, where an all-Black society was the norm, I never experienced the same hair insecurity that Zoe did. However, after working in corporate America, I found myself conforming to more socially acceptable hairstyles such as weaves and straightened hair. Through my daughter, I realized that I too struggled with self-confidence and acceptance of my natural hair.

Zoe’s doll design and the birth of a business

Zoe expressed her desire to create a doll that truly resembled her and wanted to turn it into a business venture at the age of 6. Recognizing her tenacity, I wholeheartedly supported her. I also came to understand the importance of dolls as a standard of beauty for girls. It’s common to say “Oh, what a doll!” as a compliment to a child. It was essential for little Black girls to see themselves represented in their dolls.

We collaborated with a designer, and when Zoe turned 7, we successfully produced the first Beautiful Curly Me doll. Seeing Zoe hold her creation, witnessing her long-awaited validation, ignited a spark within her. The doll not only showcased the beauty of her hair but also empowered her with the belief that she could be part of the solution. I experienced the same revelations through this journey.

Zoe’s hair acceptance and the expansion of our mission

In this era of e-commerce dominance, I knew that solely operating online wouldn’t allow Zoe to fully comprehend the impact we were making. Therefore, I decided to participate in trade shows. Zoe actively assisted me, and together we witnessed the joy on little girls’ faces when they encountered dolls with hair that resembled their own.

Today, Zoe is 11 years old and preparing to enter seventh grade. During the summer, she serves as the CEO of Beautiful Curly Me. I am grateful to have been employed by my own child, managing the day-to-day operations of the business.

We understand that a doll cannot single-handedly instill confidence in young girls. Nevertheless, we believe it serves as a powerful starting point. A doll provides a tangible object for girls to hold onto, affirming their worthiness. This principle is not limited to Black girls; we desire all children to appreciate the beauty our dolls represent. To extend our impact, we collaborate with foster care agencies and homeless shelters in Atlanta, donating our dolls to children who are in need.

Zoe embraces her hair wholeheartedly. She enjoys experimenting with different styles such as twists, cornrows, and afros. Inspired by her journey, I too have grown to embrace my natural hair.

Our relationship with hair is often complex, and finding peace with it can be a personal journey. It brings me immense joy that Zoe has fully embraced this aspect of herself and is now helping other young girls do the same.