The National Black Toy Museum, Long Beach

About The National Black Toy Museum

The National Black Toy Museum in Long Beach preserves and celebrates the history of Black toys and the visionary creators behind them. Visitors explore exhibits featuring iconic toys that shaped African American play and culture, including Christie, Barbie's first Black friend introduced in 1968, and African American Cabbage Patch Kids dolls from 1985. The museum displays action figures such as Bulletproof from the C.O.P.S. toy line, HotWing from SilverHawks, and a William "Refrigerator" Perry G.I. Joe action figure that commemorated the NFL legend. These exhibits educate visitors of all ages about the cultural significance of toys in the African American community and the representation they provided to generations of children. The museum's collections document how mainstream toy brands evolved to include Black characters and imagery, celebrating Black identity, beauty, confidence, and ambition through play.