By Seven Jamison
During the pandemic, when Brooke Hart Jones couldn’t find a doll that symbolized historically Black colleges and universities she made one herself; inadvertently creating a movement.
“I was just trying to ship a birthday gift,” Jones said. “But the response showed me this could be something bigger.”
The support she gained from HBCyoU Dolls, a toy line she founded, has become popular for its cultural richness. Through her decade of merchandising experience at Dave & Buster’s, she knew how to scale.
Due to tariffs on Chinese imports and other factors, she had to halt production.
Tariffs are not policy – they’re survival,” she said. “They hurt small businesses the most.”
Pushed by her determination to educate her kids on HBCU culture along with other kids she created HBCyoU KIDZ.
This animated YouTube show introduces preschool and early elementary school students to HBCU life through music, dance, and storytelling.
“I woke up one night and just started typing ideas,” Jones said. “The goal was to reach more kids, more affordably.”
The project aims to counter misinformation and cultural erasure as controversies regarding race and education persist in schools.
“We can’t rely on institutions to preserve our history,” Jones said. “We have to take ownership of it ourselves.”
The program is also inclusive.
“Even if you didn’t go to an HBCU, this show can help your kids learn about our contributions to American history,” she said.
Jones hopes the channel will encourage curiosity, like when a child asks his mother, “what’s an ancestor,” after watching a Juneteenth episode.
“This is bigger than toys or clicks,” she said. “It’s about legacy, pride, and planting seeds early.”
Seven Jamison is an intern at Texas Metro News through UNT’s Emerging Journalists Program. He enjoys writing about politics and culture.
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