Collection: Yla Eason & Sun Man: Black Mother, Black Hero, Black Power

In this powerful exhibit, we celebrate Yla Eason, a visionary Black woman, mother, and Harvard-trained entrepreneur who founded Olmec Toys in 1985 in Rochester, New York. When her three‑year‑old son candidly told her he couldn’t be a superhero “because he wasn’t white,” Eason refused to accept that limiting belief. She created Sun‑Man, a Black American superhero whose radiant powers derive from the melanin in his skin, embracing dark complexion as strength. Collaborating with Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, she understood how representation shapes a child’s psyche, and she built Sun‑Man’s character to reflect African heritage, emotional resilience, and uncompromised excellence. Olmec Toys quickly grew, placing diverse action figures, games, and dolls in stores like Kmart and Toys “R” Us, asserting their right to exist and thrive in a space that historically erased Black identity.

Today, the legacy of Yla Eason and Sun‑Man continues to illuminate our cultural landscape. After shuttering in the mid‑1990s, Olmec’s influence echoed through a new generation of inclusive toy lines. In 2021, Olmec Toys entered a licensing deal with Mattel to reintroduce Sun‑Man as part of the Masters of the Universe, further cementing his (and our) place in the pantheon of heroes. This exhibit honors Yla’s unwavering belief that Black children deserve to see themselves as powerful, bridging past struggles and future triumphs. It reminds us, in a world that often says “not you,” that we build our own narratives; and we stand resolute, radiant, and unashamed.