My niece’s birthday is at the start of January and she is at the age where she is obsessed with dolls! I was too when I was her age, so I searched high and low for a doll that looked like her, me, and her mom: a Black doll with curly hair, beautiful features, and that looked like an actual little girl. I found all of this and more from Corage Dolls, the brain daughter of Flora Ekpe Idang. Ekpe Idang wanted to bring diversity, sisterhood, and self-development to the world of toys and dreamt up Aaliyah Doll and other products. Corage Dolls creates Black dolls from a Black company, which makes me so excited that I can not only gift my niece but support the journey of buying Black!
The Aaliyah Doll has pretty brown skin, a full head of coils, and mobile limbs for dynamic playtime. My niece gasped when she saw the doll, hugging her close and fixing the cloth headband. It was truly an adorable sight to behold! For the past couple of nights, the doll has found its way into my niece’s arm while she sleeps.
I adore my positive affirmation cards, I use them weekly to boost my spirits during good times and hard days. When I received the Corage Cards, I was so excited! My niece is at the age of learning to read so the Corage Cards are a phenomenal addition to her reading routine. These affirmation cards offer positive phrases such as “I am Beautiful,” “I treat myself with respect and grace,” and other uplifting phrases. I sat with my niece and had her read the cards out loud with me to set up a routine for the new year and (hopefully) for her whole life. Each card has a gorgeous illustration of a variety of Black girls from hair types, skin tones, and face shapes, which generously showcases Black beauty.
Lastly, and most inspiring, was the Aaliyah Book titled: “Don’t Give Up, Aaliyah!” by founder Flora Ekpe Idang. In this story, Aaliyah goes through trials and tribulations but in the end, gets through them with a little help from her loved ones. My niece begs me to read her this book every time she sees me: when we wake up in the morning, go to the park, have lunch, and before bed. How could I say no to her adorable face and to promoting reading skills, especially for a heartfelt book such as “Don’t Give Up, Aaliyah!”
Grab Corage Dolls for the Black little girl in your life and support her development of self representation, creativity, and everlasting play!
