Launch day ended with 20 high-quality media placements reaching over 35 million people seeing information about Barbie Madam through various platforms like social media and online media sites. Her input and knowledge helped in the creation of Walker's vibrant outfit that showcases the entrepreneur's favorite colors — purple and turquoise — as well as the hair and the packaging of the doll which features a historical photo of Walker's Villa Lewaro residence, a gathering place for people during the Harlem Renaissance. Barbie has also used the Inspiring Women line to highlight Jane Goodall, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.

The image and symbolism of this doll will carry Madam Walker’s story out into the world in another way. The doll is sporting a period-accurate purple blouse and textured turquoise skirt—a nod to “some of Walker’s favorite colors,” according to designer Carlyle Nuera.She created opportunities for herself, and uplifted other Black women, making her truly an inspiring woman. As the official biographer for Madam, she is the author of “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. In our collection, courtesy of Barbie, you’ll find everything your youngster needs for a day in the fashion doll’s life; from a styling head to perfect those blonde tresses to playsets and private jet toys for getting around town. Rebel Wilson and her fiancee Ramona Agruma hold hands as they head back to their hotel after partying until 2 a. When she transferred the company to Indianapolis in 1910, her business had already generated millions of dollars in profits, making her the first Black woman to become a self-made millionaire.

Mattel enlisted Walker's great-great-granddaughter A'Lelia Bundles — author of 'On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. To know little girls and big girls will have access to Madam Walker and just that physical symbolism of her story means it’s going to be exploding exponentially in a way it never has before. J. Walker is an embodiment of our Barbie Inspiring Women series,' Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls for Mattel, said in a statement.Barbie’s Carlyle Nuera, who designed Walker’s doll, says he was familiar with the hair care pioneer’s work as an entrepreneur, activist and philanthropist. It was a joy to work with Barbie on the design and creation of an Inspiring Women doll made in the likeness of my great-great grandmother, Madam C. Beyond her achievements as a beauty entrepreneur, Walker later went on to become a renowned activist and philanthropist, working with the NAACP anti-lynching movement, advocating for civil rights and women's rights, and supporting Black colleges and orphanages. She is the latest historical figure to be recognized by Mattel, the toy company that manufactures Barbie.