I recently received a VIP invitation from Family Dollar for the launch of Kenya Dolls.

The great thing about the invite is that I actually had a Kenya and vividly remember the dolls. At the time (early 90s), dolls only came in two shades: black and white. They weren’t diverse, the dolls were either white with blond hair or brown with black hair, they were pretty bland. The great thing about my Kenya doll was how she looked like me. My cousins had Kenya dolls too, and theirs looked like them. She wore gold earrings like mine and she had the best hair and we used to style the hair with magic lotion. I loved that doll and still have her, found her in storage:

Please excuse the wear and tear, and the bad hair cut. This was a result of my 4th grade styling skills. My Kenya had long pretty hair when I got her, I later used my “skills” to give her bangs, short hair, micro braids, twists. Everything!

I happily accepted the invitation to attend. I had no clue what was in store. A driver picked me up from my house and dropped me off at The Bass Mint, a cool concert space in Atlanta. There, I learned that Kenya had a band called Rockstar Madness and a cool theme song featuring words of encouragement for young girls called “Proud”:

Kenya and the Rockstar Madness: Dwayne, Kenya, her best friend Denise and boyfriend TJ

Kenya (portrayed by Shanica Knowles) got the kids in the audience really excited! She was so gorgeous with a great voice. The kids in the audience loved her! I did too 🙂

After the concert we traveled to a new Family Dollar store off Cascade Rd. near West End in Atlanta for a private party and shopping experience. There, we learned about why Kenya went away and how she’s coming back in a big way. We  enjoyed great food from Sun in My Belly. Bob Giles, Divisional VP for Family Dollar discussed the incredible attention to detail with each doll. From the hair to the outfits, accessories and shoes! They even have plush dolls now so that babies can enjoy Kenya Dolls too.

Bob Giles, Divisional VP for Family Dollar with stylish Kenya Dolls

For me, as a marketing professional, the coolest thing about this event was seeing the kids. They were beyond excited about the dolls. They loved all of the features that I so admired as a little girl. From the hair and earrings to the clothing. The new dolls are a great refresher to what the brand started years ago!

I got this Kenya Movin On doll in my goody bag. Look at those beautiful curls!

Little Shanica Kenya mini doll (designed by Shanica Knowles the face/voice of Kenya)

McKenzie and I at the Family Dollar store. She was so excited to receive a Kenya doll and watching as I took this photo, so I invited her over. Such a sweetheart 🙂

If you are interested in Kenya dolls, Family Dollar has some exclusives that other stores don’t including the Original Kenya doll (like the one McKenzie is holding and my “vintage” one above). Watch Kenya and the Rockstar Madness sing their song “Proud” in the music video below:

For more information about Kenya dolls click here.

Find your local Family Dollar store here.

Download Kenya’s uplifting theme song “Proud” for free here.

Disclosure: I was invited to a VIP event by Family Dollar to preview the new Kenya doll and as part of the event was gifted a Family Dollar gift card, provided a doll and provided transportation to and from the event. All opinions expressed are mine solely.