Ashley Head Expanded Curls Poppin Doll Line
The San Diego entrepreneur has launched a new collection of male dolls designed to provide representation for young people.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in African-American
Live Poll
Do you believe having diverse dolls available for children positively impacts their self-confidence?
Entrepreneur Ashley Head has expanded his Curls Poppin brand with a new collection called Men of Culture. This line features male dolls modeled after real people of color, with the first doll, Manny, currently available for presale.
Why it matters
Head developed the collection to provide representation for youth and to show his sons that they can pursue their dreams regardless of external opinions. The project aims to offer diverse, relatable figures that reflect a variety of physical features and cultural backgrounds.
The Men of Culture line features 12 total dolls based on real people, including specific physical traits like tattoos and hairstyles. Every doll includes fashion accessories and a lifetime warranty.
The players
Ashley Head
Ashley Head is a San Diego-based entrepreneur and the founder of the Curls Poppin line of hair products and dolls.
Emmanuel Rodriguez
Emmanuel Rodriguez is an individual who served as the inspiration for the Manny doll in the new collection.
The details
The collection models are based on actual individuals, such as the Manny doll, which is inspired by Emmanuel Rodriguez. These dolls join the existing Curls Poppin line, which currently holds licensing agreements for sales at Morehouse College and Spelman College.
Timeline
Ashley Head created his first doll, Olivia, in 2018.
Presale for the Manny doll became available in October 2026.
The first full release of the Men of Culture doll line is planned for December 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion reflects a wider societal shift toward prioritizing diverse representation in the toy industry to better mirror the real world. This movement marks a departure from traditional mass-market dolls by focusing on authentic cultural narratives and individualized physical traits.
Residents can currently participate in the presale for the Manny doll ahead of the official launch. Purchasing these items supports a San Diego-based small business while providing children with diverse representational toys.
The takeaway
This line highlights the importance of creating accessible, diverse role models for younger generations through creative play. Families can use these figures to start conversations about identity, representation, and the value of pursuing personal dreams.
What happens next
The first public release of the Men of Culture collection is scheduled for December 2026.
Further reading
For more background on regional community developments, explore the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KPBS.
Live Poll
Do you believe having diverse dolls available for children positively impacts their self-confidence?
