Shindana~Black Dolls ~ The History of Black Dolls Factory

From 1968 through 1983, Shindana Toys designed and manufactured dolls that looked like real black people. Their motto was: Dolls Made by a Dream. Shindana, which means competitor in Swahili, trained and employed doll makers and became the nation’s largest manufacturer of black dolls and games. Operation Bootstrap (OB) was formed in 1965 by two African American gentlemen. In an attempt to build the community, provide job training, and jobs for community residents, Louis Smith and Robert Hall are said to have organized OB with a $1,000 loan from an AA businessman.

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My name is Louis Shelton Smith III, my Father Louis S Smith II, was co-founder of Operation Bootstrap along with his partner Robert Hall. He "talked" the owners of Mattel, out of $200,000, to start Shindana Toys, because he thought Black kids needed a positive self image. The 1st doll they made, Baby Nancy, was selected for admission to the Toy Hall Of Fame last year. Oh, the stories I could tell you!!!!!

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