Fly Butterfly Productions has announced a life rights deal with Kitty Black Perkins, the trailblazing designer behind the first Black Barbie, with a feature film biopic now in development. Keena Ferguson is attached to direct, Kadesha Powell to write and Jasmine Farr to produce.
Kitty chronicles the life of Louvenia “Kitty” Black Perkins, a living legend whose career reshaped what little girls see when they walk down the toy aisle. The story follows her journey from segregated Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she colored paper dolls brown just to see herself reflected, to Los Angeles, where she climbed the corporate ladder at Mattel to become the first and only Chief Designer in Barbie’s history.
To understand the significance of the film, it helps to know the history. When Mattel launched Black Barbie in 1980, it was the first time a Black doll in the line was actually named and marketed as Barbie herself rather than as a friend or companion. Previous Black dolls in the line, including Christie, were positioned as Barbie’s friends. Black Perkins, who joined Mattel in 1976, designed the landmark doll and continued to push for more authentic representation throughout her career. In 1991 she led the creation of The Marvelous World of Shani, a groundbreaking doll line that introduced unique face sculpts, a variety of deeper skin tones and distinct hair textures celebrating African American beauty. The Shani line was developed in consultation with child psychologists to ensure the dolls served as positive, aspirational role models for young Black girls.
Black Perkins’ legacy has gained renewed cultural attention in recent years. The 2023 Netflix documentary Black Barbie, directed by Lagueria Davis, featured Black Perkins prominently and brought her story to a global audience for the first time, earning widespread critical acclaim. The conversation around her work has only grown since then, particularly as Mattel has continued to expand its representation across its doll lines.
That momentum extends to the screen as well. Mattel has partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to develop a live-action television series based on the 1990s Shani doll universe, with Emmy-nominated writer and producer Janine Nabers, known for Swarm, Atlanta and Watchmen, leading the project. The premium family dramedy will center on Shani and her best friends Asha and Nichelle, blending the line’s 1990s legacy with contemporary themes of identity, sisterhood, ambition and Black girlhood. The Shani line, it is worth noting, was created by Black Perkins herself.
“Black Barbie has opened the door for dolls like the Black Historical series and so many more,” Black Perkins said.
For producer Jasmine Farr, the project is deeply personal. “30 years later, I grew up in that same neighborhood,” said Farr, founder of Fly Butterfly Productions. “From Highland to Hollywood is a hardscrabble path that Kitty and I both share. That is why this project is deeply personal to me.”
Kitty is actively seeking production partners and funding. The project is backed by a South Carolina Arts Commission development grant.