Shindana Toys
Shindana Toys, a division of Operation Bootstrap, Inc., was a South Central Los Angeles, California cooperative toy cooperative, company in business from 1968 to 1983. It was launched as a black empowerment and community rejuvenation effort following the Watts riots. Company proceeds supported businesses in the Watts area. Named after the Swahili language, Swahili word roughly meaning "to compete," Shindana Toys was community-owned and founded by Louis S. Smith, II and Robert Hall (activist), Robert Hall. The latter was the company's first CEO and President; though he was succeeded in both posts by Smith. The Chase Manhattan Bank, the Mattel Toy Company, Sears Roebuck & Co., and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, Equitable Life Assurance helped finance portions of the Shindana Toys operations. Shindana Toys was historically significant for being one of the first toy companies to market ethnically correct black dolls. A goal of the company was to raise black consciousness and im ...
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