Spartanburg High School welcomed a living legend on Wednesday as District 7 alumna and trailblazing designer Kitty Black Perkins returned to speak with our Black History Club, SHS Library Student Ambassadors, entrepreneur class, and art students about perseverance, creativity, and the power of representation.
The Spartanburg County Library, hosted by County Librarian Todd Stephens, honored Black Perkins by dedicating a section of the library in her name—a space for the community to explore and express their creativity.
A 1967 graduate of Carver High School, Spartanburg’s Black high school prior to desegregation, Black Perkins shared how her passion for fashion and design began early. As a child, she would cut paper dolls and color them in different skin tones—something she didn’t realize at the time would foreshadow her future impact on generations of children.
Her interest in design flourished in seventh grade, when she began spending her free time in the school’s art department, igniting her passion with art even further. After graduating high school and heading to Los Angeles to visit an aunt, she fell in love with the city and the people in it. She asked her aunt to stay and she agreed, as long as she attended college and got a job. Black Perkins went to Los Angeles Trade Technical College and graduated in 1971.
Black Perkins worked in the fashion industry for six years before interviewing for a position at Mattel Toys that she found in a newspaper. The headhunter who she spoke with prior to the interview told her that she needed to make an outfit for Barbie out of any scraps of fabric and bring it with her to the interview. Ultimately she didn’t get the job, but she was determined, and called them back asking to re-interview. Black Perkins explained that she didn't fully understand what they were asking of her regarding the Barbie outfit and want a re-do. Mattel Toys agreed and invited her back for another interview. This time Black Perkins showed up with six original Barbie outfits. Not only did she land the job, but all six outfits were ultimately produced for Barbie.
A Career of Firsts
Kitty Black Perkins became the Chief Designer of Fashions and Doll Concepts at Mattel, working for Mattel a total of 28 years, during which she designed thousands of dolls. When she began her career at Mattel, she was the only Black designer at the company.
In 1980, she introduced the first Black Barbie, a defining moment that forever changed the toy industry. Reflecting on her legacy, she said,
“I’m really proud of what I’ve designed, and I’m really proud of the impact it’s had on little girls.”
Growing up without dolls that resembled her, Black Perkins understood deeply what representation means. Through her work, she ensured that future generations of children could see themselves reflected in the toys they loved.
Among her favorite creations are the Butterfly Princess Barbie and the Day to Night Barbie, both of which became iconic in the Barbie brand.
Honors and Legacy
Black Perkins’ contributions have been widely recognized. She has received the Key to the City in Spartanburg, March 29 has been designated as Kitty Black Perkins Day, and Spartanburg County Public Library has created Kitty Black Perkins Maker Lab where children and adults can go to be creative.
Her drive and personal philosophy have guided her throughout her trailblazing career. As she told students,
“One thing I have always done is been my own competition. Everything I do has to be bigger and better than the one prior.”
A Legacy Rooted in Excellence
Black Perkins comes from a lineage of Black excellence, her great uncle was Dr. Benjamin Mays, president of Morehouse College in Atlanta and the man who delivered the eulogy for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He came to visit Black Perkins at her aunt's house, urging her to pursue a career in the medical field or education, but Black Perkins was determined to work within the art and creative space.
Kitty Black Perkins story, from growing up in Spartanburg, to transforming the global image of Barbie, to becoming a cultural icon—is not only inspiring but deeply personal to the students who share her hometown. Her visit served as a powerful reminder that imagination, dedication, and belief in oneself can open doors to extraordinary possibilities.
Students from Black History Club came in for lunch and a meet and greet with Kitty Black Perkins.
Todd Stephens, County Librarian of Spartanburg County Library, introduced Kitty Black Perkins and walked through some of her history.
