Meet Carline, The Haitian Doll Who Teaches Children to Embrace Their Culture And Diversity

@zoe_beautee/Instagram

Haitian mother Carline Smothers created this doll when her 5-year-old daughter called characters who looked like her “ugly.”

Toni Akindele Oct, 11, 2016

This Haitian entrepreneurial mom is out to teach culture and diversity with the help of her doll, Carline.

Carline Smothers tells ESSENCE she sought “desperate measures” when her 5-year-old daughter began to call characters in thebooks who looked like her, “ugly.” It was then that Smothers realized that the books they had been reading each night rarely had characters who represented what their family looked like.

Hey everyone! New day! Have you clicked the link in our bio.? Pre-order your Haitian character doll, book, donate, then share our project! 23 left to reach our goal! We can do it!!! #haitiandoll #childrensbook #zoebeautee™ #haiti #ilovebeinghaitian #zoebeauteelittlereaderscollection

A photo posted by Carline (entrepreneur) (@zoe_beautee) on Oct 6, 2016 at 5:45am PDT

“I created [ZOE BEAUTEE Little Reader’s collection], a book series, to celebrate culture diversity, focusing on Haitian culture, after not being able to find books our children could relate to,” says Smothers.

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Wanting to capitalize on teaching Haitian culture while bringing more diversity and representation to children, Smothers also created the prototype for the Carline doll, which she hopes to be able to put into production soon.

Please help! Our children's book series and doll celebrates and teaches culture diversity! 🇭🇹 My daughter didn't think dolls who looked like her were beautiful! So I created a character she and others could relate to! She hasn't put her down since! Representation matters! Please help back our Kickstarter. We have 998 more dolls/ books to pre-sell to reach our goal in 29 days! Please click on the link and share!!! #zoebeautee™ #zoebeauteelittlereaderscollection #learncreole #haitiandoll #blackdoll #blackgirsrock #childrenbooks #fanmimwen

A photo posted by Carline (entrepreneur) (@zoe_beautee) on Sep 30, 2016 at 11:46am PDT

“Growing up Haitian, my family and I were often bullied and called names. Even till this day, there is a negative stereotype about Haitian people and our culture,” Smothers shares. “I truly believe that knowledge is power, and starting with our youth will bring positive change in our community.”

For more information on Smothers’ project, or to support the Carline doll, check out her Kickstarter here.