January 11, 2008, 12:41PM ET
Barbie created for sorority
CHICAGO

The nation's oldest black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, celebrates its 100th anniversary this month with serious goals and something just for fun.

A collectible Barbie has been created by California-based Mattel Inc. to honor the organization and its history of service.

The new Barbie's design will be revealed at the Chicago-based sorority's anniversary celebration next week in Washington, D.C., the site of its founding.

"When you pair that milestone with an organization representing an amazing cross section of women who are empowered leaders in any field, it's a real opportunity to introduce the hobby of collecting to a new group of collectors," said Elizabeth Grampp, director of Barbie collector marketing.

The doll will be dressed in an evening gown featuring the Alpha Kappa Alpha colors pink and green. It will be available for about $50 through Barbie Web sites and catalogs and through the sorority.

Founded in 1908 by Howard University students, the organization has about 1,000 chapters around the world.

Over the years, its prominent inductees included Hull House founder Jane Adams, civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, author Maya Angelou and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The sorority's new focus on investment and financial literacy is an initiative of president Barbara McKinzie, finance director at Chicago's Neighborhood Housing Services.

"Economics is the central focus of everything we do," McKinzie said. "My vision was to make economics as much of a core competency as service has been to Alpha Kappa Alpha for the 100 years."

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8U3QLHG0.htm

Other than it being $50, what is the problem?

I"m getting a few for my future progeny. Oh, yes. Collector's item.

So will I. Soror Barbara spoke about it last night.

I will support the cause.

I don't think that she should be white. That's just a little too much. I can't find a picture anywhere. They have this on super lockdown.

quote:

Originally posted by tonystark:
I don't think that she should be white. That's just a little too much. I can't find a picture anywhere. They have this on super lockdown.

She is not white just like the Beyonce and Diana Ross Barbie dolls aren't. I am a Barbie collector of African-American only and they do make dolls that come in AA only if that is the purchase they are designed for. And of course, I definitely will purchase this one.

Well if she is not white then she cannot be Barbie. Last I checked Barbie was white. What if they have Barbie wearing a green and pink dress? How about an AKA jacket or something? I know Diana is not white so they had to make that doll black.

If she is not white then they would have to give her a name like Keyanna or something.

quote:

Originally posted by tonystark:
Well if she is not white then she cannot be Barbie. Last I checked Barbie was white. What if they have Barbie wearing a green and pink dress? How about an AKA jacket or something? I know Diana is not white so they had to make that doll black.

If she is not white then they would have to give her a name like Keyanna or something.

My Dear tonystark, yes there is a Black Barbie. The collector dolls are available in two versions, white or black and there are both listed as "Barbies". I have been collecting "Barbie" dolls for many, many years. They are all categorized as "Barbie".

You need to stop. Why would her name have to be Keyanna or something? I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha along with my mother, aunt and grandmother. Our names are Joan, Sophia, Anne and Rebecca, respectively. The visionary for our sorority first name is Ethel.

So I asked again, why would her name have to be Keyanna.

Have mercy. I had no idea that Mattel is in the business of producing BLACK Barbies! As you can see, I am not a collector.

Well, if this Barbie is a black Barbie then I for one will be stunned.

quote:

Well, if this Barbie is a black Barbie then I for one will be stunned.

And if AKA Barbie is not Black, I too will be stunned and making calls...

I heard about the new Barbie doll and I am thrilled. I will be purchasing one for me and another for my daughter. This is a wonderful tribute to my sorority, and our Centennial Celebration!

quote:

Originally posted by tonystark:
Have mercy. I had no idea that Mattel is in the business of producing BLACK Barbies! As you can see, I am not a collector.

Well, if this Barbie is a black Barbie then I for one will be stunned.

Where have U been? Black Barbie has been around for at least 10 years. My daughter got her first one this Christmas.

Ladies, just to chime in on this...there is a Kappa Alpha Psi action figure that is available which is 6'2" and 240lbs., anatomically correct and is well under 50 dollars charge.

Kimora Lee, send help.

Good for you. It's nice, I would rather have seen you guys contract with an African American vendor to create such a collectors item. What is Matel giving back you you for this?

I know some full size-real life AKA Barbies.

THey are all anotomically correct.

I collect Black Barbies also and am very excited about this. The comment about a black doll company is valid but doesn't consider a few things.
First, the 'Barbie' name lends itself some 'authority', especially for collectors and any future value.
Second, I have a few dolls created by black companies (like a UNCF doll) but the quality is not the same. Unfortunately, smaller companies don't have the resources to create something on the same scale as Mattel.

quote:

Originally posted by Leslie:
I collect Black Barbies also and am very excited about this. The comment about a black doll company is valid but doesn't consider a few things.
First, the 'Barbie' name lends itself some 'authority', especially for collectors and any future value.
Second, I have a few dolls created by black companies (like a UNCF doll) but the quality is not the same. Unfortunately, smaller companies don't have the resources to create something on the same scale as Mattel.

The White man's ice is always colder. You get what you pay for. If you put the kind of money out to get a product similiar to Matel, you can get it, I promise you. But hey, I got no stake in this. It was just an observation.