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Why Do You Have Black Dolls? is an award-winning documentary directed by Samantha Knowles.  Inspired by a question asked of Knowles as a child, the film, the first of its kind, focuses on the little-known black doll community and brings heart-warming and powerful stories of the history, beauty, and pride that is the black doll.  In a world where representation and self-esteem are at the forefront of sociological debate, the film brings a message that reveals that black dolls are more than just playthings - they are cultural artifacts that represent the history of the people they depict.  

The film, which began as Knowles’ senior honors thesis at Dartmouth College, has garnered national attention.  Since its completion, it has been accepted into multiple film festivals, has earned a City Council Citation from the City of New York, and has been featured in the Huffington Post, the New York Daily News, the Grio, and Jet Magazine.

Photo Credit: Jamie Li

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