American Black Beauty Doll Association (ABBDA) Raffle Dolls
Since the very first Festival of Black Dolls Show in 1985, ABBDA has created a handcrafted Raffle Doll each year for the event. We’ve skillfully collaborated to produce one-of-a-kind creations, typically out of porcelain, though we have explored other materials and mediums as well. In recent years, ABBDA has fashioned raffle dolls after notable Black pioneers, such as Madam CJ Walker, Harriet Tubman, and Ruby Bridges.
ABBDA RAFFLE DOLL HISTORY
2024
ABBDA is excited to announce that the selection for the 2024 Festival of Black Dolls Raffle Doll will be none other than the creator, producer, and host of Soul Train, Don Cornelius!
Don Cornelius (1936-2012)
Don Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012) was the creator, producer, and smooth-voiced television host of the nationally syndicated dance and music show Soul Train. This hour-long program brought Black music and culture into America’s living rooms.
Cornelius was born on Chicago's South Side. After graduating from high school, he served a stint in the Marine Corps. Upon returning to Chicago, he quit his day job to take a three-month broadcasting course in 1966. He soon landed a job as an announcer, news reporter, and disc jockey on Chicago radio station WVON. In 1970, he launched Soul Train on WCIU-TV as a daily local show. The program entered national syndication and moved to Los Angeles the following year. "Soul Train," one of the longest-running syndicated shows in television history, played a critical role in spreading the music of Black America to the world, offering wide exposure to musicians like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson in the 1970s and ’80s.
Cornelius was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was best known for the catchphrase that he used to close the show, "and as always, we wish you love, peace, and soul!"
2023
The 2023 winner of American Black Beauty Doll Association, Inc. (ABBDA) Festival of Black Dolls Show & Sale Raffle doll was Mrs. Mary Lee of Statesboro, Georgia! ABBDA created a replica of the first African American female astronaut, Mae C. Jamison. Mae Carol Jamison is an American Engineer, Physician and former Astronaut.
2022
Ms. Teloca McLin of Oakland, California, was the 2022 winner of the Festival of Black Dolls Show & Sale Raffle Doll. This one of a kind felt replica was of black aviatrix Bessie Coleman! Coleman’s nicknames were “Brave Bessie or Queen Bess”. Her goal was to encourage women and African Americans to reach their dreams.
2021
The 2021 winner of the Festival of Black Dolls Show & Sale Raffle Doll was Ms. F. Davis of Richmond, California! The porcelain replica was of none other than Madam C. J. Walker, successful pioneer and innovator of her era.
2020
In this new decade of 2020, ABBDA choose to replicate in porcelain, Harriet Tubman, American abolitionist and political activist. The raffle doll winner was Mrs. D. Cook of San Francisco, California
2019
In 2019 ABBDA selected to reproduce in porcelain, civil rights martyr Emmett Till. The raffle doll winner were Mr. & Mrs. G. Osborne of Aurora, Colorado.
2018
In 2018 ABBDA selected to reproduce in porcelain, Linda Brown, campaigner for equality in education and center of the historic case of Brown vs. the Board of Education. The raffle doll winner was Mrs. J. Moorey of Aurora, Colorado.
2017
In 2017 ABBDA selected to create, in porcelain, a replica of Ruby Bridges. An American civil rights activist, she was the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana The raffle doll winner was Miss J. Williams of San Leandro, California.