We all know that representation matters. It is more than just a phrase, shaping how we see ourselves and the world. Representation lets us know that anything is possible and reminds us that there is more than one reality and more than one standard.
Zoe Oli learned this when she was just six years old. One day, she came home from school and asked her mom why her hair wasn’t “straight and pretty” like that of her classmates. Her mom, hoping to quell this self-doubt, started encouraging Zoe with positive words of affirmation, books and even made the decision to start wearing her own hair natural, as a way of modeling self-love and encouraging her daughter to feel more confident. Though Zoe’s mom bought her a doll with skin like hers, Zoe noticed that the doll’s hair was still straight. Unable to find a doll with braids and curls like her own, she asked her mom if they could make dolls so other girls could see themselves reflected too.
With that, Beautiful Curly Me was born. Zoe’s mom withdrew $5,000 of her savings to design a prototype and secure and partner with an affordable manufacturer. One year later, an 18-inch doll with brown skin and textured hair that could be washed, styled and fully celebrated was created.
Having felt the impact of a lack of representation firsthand, Zoe, now the 13-year-old CEO of Beautiful Curly Me, is on a mission to encourage young girls to be confident and love who they are wholeheartedly. While her mom manages the administrative operations of the business, Zoe leads the creative aspects.
“Because a doll is a girl’s first best friend and someone they can look up to, it’s so important to see yourself positively reflected in the toys you play with.” – Zoe Oli
Today, the Atlanta-based toy and media company has produced lines of beautiful Black dolls adorned with crowns of natural hair, as well as puzzles and children’s books written by Zoe. Their products can be purchased online on the company's website and through the OBWS Marketplace, as well as in the Brown Toy Box in downtown Atlanta and at Target stores nationwide.
Zoe’s inspiring work has led to features on multiple platforms across the nation, including Good Morning America, Black Enterprise and Forbes. She is also one of the youngest speakers to grace the TEDx stage. On the Jennifer Hudson Show, she explained that seven out of ten girls do not believe that they are good enough and girls’ confidence drops by 30% by the age of eight. Through her line of relatable and affirming dolls, she has watched young girls embrace their reflections with joy.
For her, “it [has] been incredible to be able to pour into other young girls and young entrepreneurs to help them know that they can do anything that they put their mind to.” And with every doll purchased on the website, another is given to a young girl in need so that every young girl could have a chance to see themselves represented, uplifted and beautiful.
