Joyce White, aka "The Doll Lady" began her career in the mid 1980s when her church choir was asked to sing in a movie made for television depicting the 1965 Watts Riots. During a break in the filming she was busying herself with braiding doll hair when the Producer asked if he could borrow the doll to be used by film star, Cicely Tyson.
She was excited and decided she would meet Ms. Tyson at the screening of the film and present her with a 3 Foot "Huggy" Doll. (Please see photo). Ms. Tyson loved the doll and graciously accepted her gift.
Three weeks later, Joyce was shopping at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles and had 3 of her Huggy Dolls seated in the rear of her old convertible when she heard a voice yell out' "Doll Lady" 'Doll Lady"! Remember Me? You presented me with a doll at an Avnet Turner Screening Last Month?? It was none other than Ms. Cicely Tyson and her entourage of supporters enjoying a day at the Mall. When Joyce excitedly told her best friend that Cicely Tyson actually recognized her at the Mall, her friend suggested to her, Why don't you dress up like your dolls and sell them like that to advertise? Well, the rest is History. She donned a full doll outfit including dress, apron, bonnet and bloomers and never looked back. Folks saw her in that "giddup" and sales blew her way like a Tornado. Her first 6 months, she grossed over $14,000 dollars making some 500 dolls in all colors, shapes and sizes. As sales increased so did her staff and she now employs a staff of 4 to 6 people to cut and sew for her. The same staff members have been with her for almost 20 years and they've never, ever duplicated a single item! Joyce is her own quality control and nothing goes out without her check and approval.
The Doll Lady with her first and most Cherished Mentor, Ms. Rosa Parks
Cuba Gooding Jr
Blair Underwood
LL Cool J
She has sold dolls from California at Newport Beach Fashion Island to New York City, from Florida to Canada and all in between. From the streets of London, England to the Islands of the Caribbean. From Hawaii to Cape Town, South Africa and from her two favorite places of all, Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch Restaurant in Marina del Rey, California and The Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood, California. There she's met many Celebrities: Athletes, Musicians, Film and Television Actors, Politicians and Dignitaries. Just about ALL of them have one of her dolls including such names as Rosa Parks, Timothy Dalton, Tyra Banks, Sinbad and L.L. Cool J. just to name a few. Joyce really enjoys meeting new people, traveling, donating items and motivational speaking to students but her greatest love and appreciation comes from being "The Doll Lady" and the support of her many friends and customers. She plans on making one-of-a kind items as long as she's able and to put a smile on your face.
