Through intimate access to a charismatic Mattel
insider, Beulah Mae Mitchell, BLACK BARBIE
delves into the cross section of merchandise and
representation as Black women strive to elevate
their own voices and stories, refusing to be invisible.
Series details: https://thelittle.org/bcs/
BLACK BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 43RD BIRTHDAY: THE STORY BEHIND AN ICONIC BLACK DOLL
The Black Cinema Series, a partnership between the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) and the Little Theatre, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Aug 2) presents “Black Barbie” at the Little Theatre, 240 East Ave., East End District, Rochester, New York.
Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. For filmmaker Lagueria Davis, it all started with her 83-year-old Aunt Beulah Mae and a seemingly simple question, “Why not make a Barbie that looks like me ?”
“Black Barbie” is a personal exploration that tells a richly archival, thought-provoking story that gives voice to the insights and experiences of Beulah Mae Mitchell, who spent 45 years working at Mattel.
Upon Mattel’s 1980 release of Black Barbie, the film turns to the intergenerational impact the doll had. Discussing how the absence of black images in the “social mirror” left Black girls with little other than White subjects for self-reflection and self-projection.
Beulah Mae Mitchell and other Black women in the film talk about their own, complex, varied experience of not seeing themselves represented, and how Black Barbie’s transformative arrival affected them personally.
Following the film, there will be a post-screening discussion with panelists Kade Henderson, brand and web designer (KMCreative and Kades Mode); Talethea M. Best, Chief People & Culture Officer (YMCA Greater Rochester Association); and W. Michelle Harris, Associate Professor (School of Interactive Games & Media, Rochester Institute of Technology).
Directed by Lagueria Davis with Camilla Hall, producer, and Jyoti Sarda, co-producer. The documentary was made in the USA, released in 2023, is in English, and is not rated.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online in advance or at the box office day of the screening. Go to https://thelittle.org/black-barbie/
We look forward to seeing you there !
The Black Cinema Series, a partnership between the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) and the Little Theatre, was founded in February 2017 and is in its sixth season. The series screens both scripted and non-fiction films about the Black experience. With an emphasis on contemporary independent films the series highlights Black perspectives and filmmakers with screenings and panel discussions with community experts and filmmakers.
The Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) strives to ensure diversity in area media and accurate balanced coverage of communities of color while serving as a resource for both established and aspiring communicators of African descent. The organization was founded in 2004. Rochester Association of Black Journalists was named the 2019 NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists.
Email info@rabjonline.org or go to https://www.rabjonline.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/RABJ.417
The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts and music for the greater Rochester community. Through educational events the Little Theatre provides local artists a place to share and discuss their visions with a diverse audience.
Email info@thelittle.org or go to https://thelittle.org/ or The Little Theatre
Black Cinema Series
“BLACK BARBIE”
Screening and post-film discussion
WEDNESDAY| AUG 2, 2023 | 7:30 pm
Little Theatre , (240 East Ave.), Rochester
Doors open: 7:00 pm
ABOUT THE FILM:
Through intimate access to a charismatic Mattel
insider, Beulah Mae Mitchell, BLACK BARBIE
delves into the cross section of merchandise and
representation as Black women strive to elevate
their own voices and stories, refusing to be invisible.
Series details: https://thelittle.org/bcs/
BLACK BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 43RD BIRTHDAY: THE STORY BEHIND AN ICONIC BLACK DOLL
The Black Cinema Series, a partnership between the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) and the Little Theatre, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Aug 2) presents “Black Barbie” at the Little Theatre, 240 East Ave., East End District, Rochester, New York.
Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. For filmmaker Lagueria Davis, it all started with her 83-year-old Aunt Beulah Mae and a seemingly simple question, “Why not make a Barbie that looks like me ?”
“Black Barbie” is a personal exploration that tells a richly archival, thought-provoking story that gives voice to the insights and experiences of Beulah Mae Mitchell, who spent 45 years working at Mattel.
Upon Mattel’s 1980 release of Black Barbie, the film turns to the intergenerational impact the doll had. Discussing how the absence of black images in the “social mirror” left Black girls with little other than White subjects for self-reflection and self-projection.
Beulah Mae Mitchell and other Black women in the film talk about their own, complex, varied experience of not seeing themselves represented, and how Black Barbie’s transformative arrival affected them personally.
Following the film, there will be a post-screening discussion with panelists Kade Henderson, brand and web designer (KMCreative and Kades Mode); Talethea M. Best, Chief People & Culture Officer (YMCA Greater Rochester Association); and W. Michelle Harris, Associate Professor (School of Interactive Games & Media, Rochester Institute of Technology).
Directed by Lagueria Davis with Camilla Hall, producer, and Jyoti Sarda, co-producer. The documentary was made in the USA, released in 2023, is in English, and is not rated.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the film is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online in advance or at the box office day of the screening. Go to https://thelittle.org/black-barbie/
We look forward to seeing you there !
The Black Cinema Series, a partnership between the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) and the Little Theatre, was founded in February 2017 and is in its sixth season. The series screens both scripted and non-fiction films about the Black experience. With an emphasis on contemporary independent films the series highlights Black perspectives and filmmakers with screenings and panel discussions with community experts and filmmakers.
The Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) strives to ensure diversity in area media and accurate balanced coverage of communities of color while serving as a resource for both established and aspiring communicators of African descent. The organization was founded in 2004. Rochester Association of Black Journalists was named the 2019 NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists.
Email info@rabjonline.org or go to https://www.rabjonline.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/RABJ.417
The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts and music for the greater Rochester community. Through educational events the Little Theatre provides local artists a place to share and discuss their visions with a diverse audience.
Email info@thelittle.org or go to https://thelittle.org/ or The Little Theatre
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Rochester, NY 14604 United States + Google Map