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.  

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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.