More About Kenya and Friends

Beautiful Hairstyling Kenya Growing Up Proud is shown in several variations

The Kenya Doll was originally launched in 1992 to provide girls of color with a toy that accurately reflected their appearance, and that could be used to instill self-esteem, along with pride in heritage and community. Kenya became an overnight success in 1992 as the hottest doll for African American girls, selling over 4.8 million dolls. The doll was a cult favorite toy of the decade, capturing every little brown girl's heart, and enjoying strong universal appeal.  [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/growing-up-proud-just-like-me-175578081.html]

My daughter, who was 15 in 1992, was one of the many little girls who enjoyed playing with Kenya and using the included Proline hair lotion to style the doll's hair.  My daughter's Kenya eventually became part of my doll collection until I was contacted by someone seeking to replace their childhood doll. With my daughter's permission, Kenya was sold and undoubtedly brought happiness to the buyer after the two were reunited.

Like my daughter's doll, having had more than one owner, the original Kenya doll was manufactured by Tyco and later by Uneeda.  New branding took place under Kenya, LLC.  Now she is back in the arms of her original creator, Ruth Golden-Morace, who is a toy inventor/designer. The current manufacturer is Smart-Zone.  Ruth's original concept involved creating a doll every African American girl would love.  Her current key themes for Kenya and Friends are:

"It's time to fall in love again"
"Kenya, the doll for all the right reasons"
"Mommy's best friend is my best friend too"
"Growing up Proud"

Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya

The 13-inch Kenya dolls retail for $9.99 to $19.99, depending on the doll, hair fiber, fashion, box size, etc.  In addition to the 13-inch all-vinyl Kenya, the new line includes:

• 13-inch Beautiful Hairstyling Kenya's Best Friend Korina 
• 6-inch Tiny Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya 
• 11-inch Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya with Tween/Teen body
• 11-inch Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya's Best Friend Korina with Tween/Teen body
• 11-inch Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya's Baby Sister Keyara
• Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya Princess Styling Head
• Beautiful Hair-Styling Korina Princess Styling Head

Kenya's Best Friend, Korina (13-inch version)

Tiny Beautiful Hair-Styling Kenya

Tween Kenya, 11 inches

Tween Korina

Kenya's 11-inch Baby Sister, Keyara

Kenya Styling Head

Korina Styling Head

All Kenya and Keyara dolls are available in three different skin tones, three different hair colors, and three different fashions.  With the exception of the styling head, Korina dolls are available with a choice of two hair colors and two fashion choices.

Where to buy
Kenya and Friends can be purchased from the following retail outlets:

For additional information, please visit their website and like their Facebook page.

Read the Press Release here.