We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Datreese Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Datreese, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My company’s top priority is to showcase black representation that is empowering, positive, and uplifting. So that collectively we are seen, and individually we see ourselves. From my own black girl experience, I have learned that transforming the character growth and development of black girls is dramatically necessary. With adversity being so imperative in history and in today’s climate, it has caused inferiority to become deeply rooted in the black community; distinctly in girls of color. So I know that I must be an advocate of change for this. And The Melanie Dolls are the way that I champion that change.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

The Melanie Dolls have now created an avenue of black representation that is empowering so that the character growth and development of black girls can be transformed.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I am a one-woman show. I created The Melanie Dolls from the ground up and currently sustain the company with my own funding.

In the past, I applied for various grants but had no luck, and I refused to keep my ideas on the table. Over the course of a year, I saved money from my internship to put toward The Melanie Dolls then successfully launched in 2021.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

The biggest thing I have learned when working with a manufacturer is to be clear on what you want and do not settle for anything less. I can remember when I first submitted the design file of the Breonna doll, and the manufacturer told me that they would not be able to do a braided hairstyle design on the doll.

I was very clear on my expectations from the manufacturer and did not hesitate to let them know that I would go with someone else if they could not provide me with what I wanted. And what do you know, I got what I wanted!

Contact Info:

• Website: themelaniedolls.com
• Instagram: themelaneidolls
• Facebook: The Melanie Dolls
• Linkedin: Datreese Thomas
• Youtube: themelaniedolls

Image Credits
Carl Calloway Jr.