and failed to represent African cultural features. Yet Black Perkins counters that if Mattel had implemented "drastic" changes to the Malibu Barbie prototype, she doesn't believe the doll would've ...

we need a Black Barbie to go along with it," McBride-Irby tells PEOPLE. "When I wanted to create the So in Style line of dolls, I wanted to make sure that the African-American doll was represented ...

The first black Barbie, designed by the fabulous Perkins, went on to be a bold celebration of black identity. Rocking an afro, a stunning red dress and eye-catching gold jewelry, she was ...