Oscar-winning actress and best-selling author Lupita Nyong’o announces the first ever doll for Super Sema, the YouTube Originals series that follows the world-changing adventures of an extraordinary young African girl, Sema. Executive produced by Nyong’o, the NAACPnominated series takes place in an African-futuristic world where Sema and her brother MB use their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) superpowers, along with creativity and determination, to save their village from an evil AI robot.
“I’m excited to see Super Sema come to life as a doll, so that kids around the world can play out Sema’s STEAM-powered adventures at home,” Nyong’o explains. The Sema Deluxe Talking Doll, from licensee Just Play, is a perfect likeness of the animated Sema character that moves and poses just like in the series and is an ideal 12” tall size for young fans. Just Play worked closely with the show’s creators to include 22 iconic phrases and the very catchy Super Sema series theme song that kids will hear with the touch of a button!
“I’m deeply invested in making Black children feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, and, like the series, this will give them the opportunity to play, be creative, and invent with toys that look like them,” Nyong’o says.
Super Sema is produced by Kukua, a multidisciplinary media and technology startup that combines entertainment and education to inspire today’s children. The global female-led team includes Forbes 30 under 30 CEO Lucrezia Bisignani, COO Vanessa Ford, and Nyong’o, who in addition to executive producing, is a shareholder in Kukua and voice in the series.
“Super Sema is an important legacy that I want to leave for my children,” says Ford. “As a black mother with mixed race children, it’s often hard for me to find content and toys that center them. So it means the world to me that I can be a part of creating something that not only empowers them, but that children around the world – no matter the color of their skin – are able to relate to and feel empowered by.”
The new Sema Deluxe Talking Doll (SRP $24.99), and a two-pack of Plush characters (SRP $15.99), are available exclusively on Amazon just in time for the holidays.