Stafford, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/16/2014 -- During Mark Blanton’s many travels first in the US Army then later as a member of the Secret Service protecting two vice presidents, he noticed the absence African American Barbie dolls but no lack of South African girls with her Caucasian cousin –the original Barbie. We all know the history of the iconic Barbie doll here in America and understand the power that this one doll holds over little girls as they learn and grow.

Mr. Blanton, now a successful businessman in life after government service, was struck with inspiration most capitalists will easily appreciate; the power of a single idea; “If South African girls were excited about a doll that did NOT look like them, IMAGINE how excited they would be if they had one that DID.” He’s on a mission to turn imagination into reality by giving girls in South Africa access to the African-American Barbie Doll for the first time. Mr. Blanton see this as the opportunity for girls in South Africa to fall in love with being who they are and dream beyond the expectations of their past. Mark’s passion for this project was fired up when so many South African girls told him they never heard of a black Barbie doll let alone see one.

This passion has driven him to put together a business relationship between a company he formed in South Africa along with Mattel USA and Mattel South Africa to import, distribute and market the African American Barbie doll; a doll that has never been sold in Africa. Moving forward, he has committed $100,000 USD of his own funds and has already secured retail space at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City, South Africa as he and Mattel coordinate the roll out.

Mr. Blanton has turned to Kickstater so he can raise the additional $40,000 USD needed to complete this project and bring African American Barbie dolls to South Africa

This crowdfunding campaign ends on October 26, 2014.

The African-American Barbie Doll in South Africa Kickstarter Page - http://kck.st/1uOxPBW

About Mark Blanton
Mr. Blanton and his wife are co-owners of Performance Physical Therapy in Stafford, Virginia and have been in business since 2008. He was also a member The Secret Service from 2002-2012 and had the honor and distinction of being assigned to the Vice President’s Protection Detail for Vice Presidents Biden and Cheney on assignments at the White House and the Vice Presidents’ Residents. He served his country for 13 years in the US Army with distinction earning many awards and commendations.