The late President Nelson Mandela took one home to the children of South Africa with a note that said: “Keep believing!” Jimmy Jam ordered one for Janet Jackson. Bill Cosby’s mother-in-law bought two for her granddaughters and Yolanda Adams purchased three. They each have their own original Niya doll who is celebrating her 30th Anniversary.

 

30 years ago, on the first day of February, Black History Month, the Here Comes Niya doll was introduced to the marketplace. Darla Davenport-Powell didn’t see a doll that looked like her daughter, Niya, so she created one—a doll that reflected her culture, her character and her color; a doll of brilliance and beauty that would speak three languages, English, Spanish and Kiswahili.

and Swahili was a novel idea, I thought. I had to have it… not for Daughter, but for myself!

 

“We’ve come a long way,” says Darla Davenport-Powell, creator of the Niya doll and the next generation of Niya friends.  “Thirty years ago, I created a doll for my daughter that reinforced her brilliance and beauty; one that promoted a positive image necessary for a healthy self-esteem.  Thirty years later, the doll line has expanded to include 12 dolls of different ethnicities; a paper doll collection; and a soon-to-come, Niya and Friends animated series.” 

 

Niya Cotton, the Niya doll inspiration says:

“This 30-year journey of The Niya Doll project has had many ups and many downs. It's not easy getting people to believe in your vision. My mom has driven this Niya Doll project to schools, churches, conferences, seminars, radio shows and even to the ABC hit television show, American Inventor.  She showed America how desperately important it is for our children to be affirmed through products and images that look like themselves. It's my belief that everyone just wants to belong somewhere and if our children don't get a positive push toward their purpose...they will take it upon themselves to find a place to belong. This has been a slow and steady taxiing of yes's and no’s, but I believe with all my heart that lift off is up ahead!”