Shaneisha Dodson, founder and CEO of the Brilliant Girl company, has sold over 1,000 units of her pioneering Sugamama doll, the first-ever Black 18-inch superhero doll. Her success highlights the demand for greater representation in toys.
Creating Representation in Dolls
Dodson, a Grambling State University graduate, was inspired to launch Brilliant Girl after noticing a lack of Black dolls in stores growing up in Arkansas. She created Sugamama to promote empowerment and self-efficacy in young Black girls through play.
Since its launch, Dodson has heard from many women who share her experience of rarely seeing Black dolls available in their childhood. She says these stories drive her mission to continue expanding positive representation.
In 2022 alone, Dodson donated nearly 100 Sugamama dolls to children in need. As an award-winning playwright, she understands the impact of seeing oneself in stories and characters.
Expanding beyond Dolls
Given her love of writing, Dodson has published two children’s books as companions to the Sugamama doll: The Adventures of Sugamama and Sugamama Saves Christmas.
She has also created a line of puzzles called Positive Image Puzzles, featuring uplifting imagery of fatherhood, girls at play, and more. Her goal is to bring inclusive representation across multiple product categories.
Celebrating Diversity and Community
With over 1,000 sales of the pioneering Sugamama doll, Dodson has tapped into strong demand for representative toys that empower kids. She continues to grow Brilliant Girl’s mission of diversity in the toy industry.
Dodson invites all to celebrate the power of representation. Her dolls, books, and puzzles aim to give kids images that reflect themselves while promoting positivity. They also give back by donating products to children in need.
Through Brilliant Girl, Dodson makes progress providing toys that every child can enjoy. Her superhero doll empowers Black girls while memorializing a milestone in representation.
