11-year-old’s Black-owned doll brand makes Amazon’s Toy Book for 5th year in a row

November 12, 2025

Orijin Bees, a doll company co-founded by eleven-year-old Esi Orijin, has been featured in Amazon's Toy Book for five consecutive years, highlighting its commitment to creating inclusive toys with authentic representation. The brand's Baby Bee Doll Collection and Cuddle Bees plush toys have received recognition on Oprah's Favorite Things list for their realistic skin tones and hair textures. The company has built its success primarily through a direct-to-consumer website strategy that enables close community engagement and personalized customer relationships.

Who is affected

Esi Orijin (11-year-old co-founder)
Orijin Bees (the brand/company)
Children seeking dolls with diverse representation
Parents and families worldwide who purchase the products
The broader community focused on toy industry inclusion and diversity

What action is being taken

Orijin Bees is being featured in Amazon's Toy Book (for the fifth consecutive year)
The brand is selling products through its direct-to-consumer website, OrijinBees.com
The company is connecting with customers and building relationships through its online platform
Orijin Bees is sharing stories and photos from families
The brand is offering exclusive gifting programs and charitable initiatives like the Get One Gift One program

Why it matters

This matters because it demonstrates ongoing progress in diversifying the toy industry and providing authentic representation for children of color. The recognition from major platforms like Amazon and Oprah validates the importance of inclusive toys that reflect diverse skin tones and hair textures, helping children see themselves represented in their playthings and empowering families who have historically been underserved in the toy market.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper