Free Barbie Giveaway In Newark Will ‘Celebrate Black, Brown Beauty’

NEWARK, NJ — A nonprofit in Newark is planning to “celebrate Black and Brown beauty” by giving away 500 Barbies to young girls in the Brick City.

Project Ready is partnering with The Black and Brown Princess Project, Newark Symphony Hall, Metropolitan Baptist Church, and The Ase House to hold a free giveaway event on Saturday, Dec. 16. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newark Symphony Hall, 1025 Broad Street.

The event is free of charge, but registration is required to receive a Barbie. Members of the public can sign up for the event and learn more here.

Shennell McCloud, CEO of Project Ready and The Black and Brown Princess Project, will be joined by her daughters, Avon and Avel, as well as “live dolls” who will distribute the Barbies in the Newark Symphony Hall ballroom.

The “live dolls” will include Black women leaders in government, corporate, education, and nonprofit roles.

Organizers said the event will “highlight the power of positive representation in communities historically excluded from beauty narratives purely on the basis of skin color.” It will also promote healthy ways to build self-esteem, self-image and confidence for girls up to 15-years-old, they said.

After receiving their doll, each princess will also get a Little Leaders book that explores the lives of historical female figures, organizers said.

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