Black dolls have been mass produced since the beginning of the twentieth century. American manufacturers produced the first commercial Black rag dolls as well as stuffed and plastic black dolls.

Leo Moss dolls (1890s - 1930s) were created by the artist in the likeness of his family and friends. Most Moss dolls will have his signature tear drop(s) on their cheeks. It has been written that the tears were added to Moss's dolls after his wife left him. Another source indicates that when a child cried while he was creating a doll in its likeness, the tears were added.

Barbie® was introduced by Mattel® in 1958; however, it was not until 1967, when a Black doll was added to the line. Black Francie®, whose actual name was "Colored Francie®", was the first AA doll included in the Barbie® family.

In the United States, Beatrice Wright dolls were the first dolls created by a Black-owned toy company. All B. Wright dolls had true-to-life facial features and were not just white dolls "colored" brown.

The Shindana Toy Company was the first major Black-owned toy company. Shindana dolls were also not just white dolls "colored".

From her first vinyl series, "Barefoot Children", Annette Himstedt's 26-inch Fatou was made for the American market in 1986. For its category, Fatou was the Winner of the 1987 Dolls of Excellence Award.