Looking into the bright eyes of her favorite Barbie doll, Amirah Kambe can’t help but smile.
At Cal State Fullerton, the public health major transformed her childhood passion for the cultural icon into a research project that explores representation in toys and the impact of Black Barbie dolls on young Black girls’ perception of hair.
“I was once a little Black girl playing with Barbies,” said Kambe. “Now I get to research them. It’s my own full-circle moment.”
Kambe, who is also minoring in African American studies and plans to graduate in spring, conducted research with guidance from renowned Barbie scholar and CSUF faculty member Amirah Saafir.
Featured as an expert in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Black Barbie,” Saafir designed a study in which young Black girls discussed race, body type and hair while interacting with various Barbie dolls. The participants were asked questions like “Which doll is the prettiest?” and “Which doll is the real Barbie?”
Kambe analyzed footage from six focus groups, examining how Black Barbie’s portrayal of hair influenced participants’ perceptions of their own hair. Using qualitative data analysis, she helped identify themes in the children’s responses.
She noted that while the girls expressed pride in their natural hair, likely influenced by their parents, they still considered Malibu Barbie to be the “real” Barbie.
“Whiteness was perceived as the default for Barbie and straight, blonde hair was a physical indicator for perfection,” said Kambe. “Representation is about more than having Black Barbies with varying hair textures and styles in the toy section of a store.”
To address these findings, Kambe recommends that companies like Mattel be more intentional with their marketing campaigns. She explained that representation impacts children’s self-perception, which significantly impacts their overall well-being, influencing their confidence, mental and emotional health, and how they navigate the world as they grow up.
“Black Barbie needs to be portrayed as having her own identity and be promoted in the media to the same extent as white Barbie,” said Kambe.
After graduation, Kambe plans to continue exploring the intersections of race, health, and identity as she pursues a master’s degree in public health or medical sociology.
“This research has reinforced how deeply representation influences public health. I want to ensure Black communities have access to equitable health education, resources and positive representation,” she said.
Bolstering Undergraduate Research
Kambe credits Saafir’s mentorship for shaping her academic journey and helping her grow into an accomplished researcher.
“I had no prior research experience, and she took the time to guide me through the entire process. Her support made all the difference,” said Kambe, who kickstarted her research through the Bolstering Black Undergraduate Student Creative Activities and Research program.
BUSCAR fellows collaborate with faculty members to conduct research, present at professional conferences and publish their work in academic journals. Last year, Kambe had the opportunity to present her research at the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research.
“By centering kids’ voices and experiences, her research helps illuminate how representation — or the lack of it — impacts self-perception, confidence and belonging,” said Saafir, assistant professor of child and adolescent studies.
Saafir said BUSCAR provides students with valuable research skills as they learn to identify and dissect high-quality studies, communicate research findings, and engage in research that uplifts different communities.
“It brings me so much joy to watch students grow — not just as researchers but as people. Mentorship offers a front-row seat to that evolution, providing the space to cultivate students’ skills with intention, whether they’re navigating a research project, applying to grad school or finding their professional voice,” said Saafir.