American Black Beauty Doll Association (ABBDA) Raffle Dolls
Since the very first Festival of Black Doll Show, in 1985, ABBDA has created a handcrafted Raffle Doll every year for the doll show. We’ve skillfully collaborated to produce a one-of-a-kind creation, usually out of porcelain. Recently, we have fashioned the raffle dolls after notable black forerunners. 2022 marks the year of “Black Girl Radiance – Her Story.” Black Girl Radiance is letting the power of her beauty, her essence, her light shine from within to effect those around her.
As an example of Black Girl Radiance, ABBDA has selected to create a replica of black aviatrix Bessie Coleman.
Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. As one of 13 children born to sharecroppers, George and Susan Coleman, who were of Native American and African-American descent, Bessie worked as a child in the cotton fields, vowing to one day ‘’amount to something’’. Bessie Coleman soared across the sky as the first African American, and the first Native American, woman pilot. Known for performing flying tricks, Coleman’s nicknames were; “Brave Bessie,” “Queen Bess,” and “The Only Race Aviatrix in the World.” Her goal was to encourage women and African Americans to reach their dreams. Unfortunately, her career ended with a tragic plane crash, but her life continues to inspire people around the world.
ABBDA RAFFLE DOLL HISTORY
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.
