{"id":659,"date":"2026-07-21T20:30:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T20:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/?page_id=659"},"modified":"2026-08-20T18:11:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T18:11:03","slug":"media","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/?page_id=659","title":{"rendered":"Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kozi Dolls was founded by Minnesotan Kathryn Bennett in 2023. Designed from patterns painted 30 years prior by Kathryn\u2019s mother, Speed Gold, the multicultural dolls are colorful, soft, and safe for all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now is the time for dolls rich in color and gentle in construction. Appealing to children\u2019s need for play, learning, pretend, and belonging, they\u2019re made for the way children play. Made in the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thirty years ago, Kathryn Bennett\u2019s mother, Speed Gold, a Wisconsin artist and social activist, hand painted portraits of children. For years, Kathryn talked with her mother about making the paintings into dolls, and in (2022) Kathryn rediscovered the paintings and felt the idea was more relevant than ever.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kathryn Bennett is an accomplished author, screenwriter, artist, educator, entrepreneur and community activist. With the help of her husband Ron, a former professor and dean of engineering at the University of St. Thomas, Kathryn brought Kozi Dolls to life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both in their 80s, Kathryn and Ron are excited to put these dolls in the hands of children of all ages, leaving a legacy of Speed\u2019s artwork more than 30 years after their images were originally painted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ron Bennett<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">info@kozidolls.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">+1 715 632 2000<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>My Villager<br><\/strong>Aug 17, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Overview:<\/em> MyVillager.com interviewed Kozi Dolls founders to learn how Kathryn transformed her mother\u2019s multicultural artwork into a line of inclusive dolls, creating a sense of belonging for children and adults alike.&#8221;<br>Link to Article: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.myvillager.com\/arts\/features\/created-in-our-image\/article_938fb9c4-883e-4215-a35e-7e68a1385989.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=email&amp;utm_campaign=user-share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Highland woman draws on mother&#8217;s art for multicultural Kozi Dolls.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: false, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-1&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading has-icon has-icon-right\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-1\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Read Full Transcript<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-1\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>My Villager<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cCreated in our image\u201d<br><\/strong>by Anne Murphy<br>Aug 17, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Highland woman draws on mother&#8217;s art for multicultural Kozi Dolls.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creating a line of dolls in the image of her mother\u2019s artwork had been on Kathryn Bennett\u2019s mind for nearly three decades. It wasn\u2019t until 2024, after hearing former First Lady Michelle Obama urge people to &#8220;do something,&#8221; that Bennett acted on her idea of paying tribute to her mother\u2019s life as an artist and social activist. Kathryn and husband Ron Bennett of Highland Park are marketing her Kozi Dolls through Corazon gift shop, 4646 E. Lake St. in Minneapolis. <br><br>Each doll in the new line reflects a different culture or background as depicted in paintings by Kathryn Bennett\u2019s mother. \u201cCorazon is supportive of artists,\u201d Kathryn said. \u201cThey have jewelry, ceramics, cards and Minnesota-made items, and they share our philosophy in terms of inclusiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Children in particular are meant to see themselves in the pillow-like dolls, which at 10 inches tall are small enough to be snuggled at home or carried on adventures.\u201cKozi Dolls reflect a belief that all children are worthy and beautiful,\u201d Kathryn said. \u201cAnd part of the gift is letting the recipient decide what to call them.\u201d The dolls do not come with a name but have a tag on which a chosen name can be written.<br><br><strong>Mother set an example of loving the stranger<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kathryn Bennett received her esteem for other cultures from her mother, Speed Gold, who would paint just about everything she saw, but kept her art tucked away. While growing up in Wisconsin and as an adult, Kathryn watched as her mother welcomed hungry immigrants into their home for meals and companionship and provide international students a place to stay during the holidays when student housing did not remain open.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bennetts, who are now in their 80s, moved to the Twin Cities in 1965. \u201cWe first lived in South Minneapolis because it was multicultural,\u201d said Ron, a retired professor and dean of engineering at the University of Saint Thomas. While raising the couple\u2019s three children, Kathryn became an author, screenwriter, artist, educator, community activist and entrepreneur.\u00a0By the 1970s, Kathryn was making stuffed animals from her original designs, not only for her children but to sell through gift shops under the brand name suggested by her youngest child, Pigs and Things. Kathryn began looking back through Speed\u2019s artwork a few years ago and found a series of paintings that were intended for the doll project they had planned together. \u201cAfter hearing Michelle Obama\u2019s words, I thought if I could resurrect that idea and get dolls reflecting other countries and cultures into production, it would help with the sense of belonging we need in Minnesota,\u201d Kathryn said.<br><br><strong>The dolls represent cultures the world over<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name Kozi Dolls relates back to Kathryn\u2019s earlier designs involving a bear and a cat that she converted into tea cozys. \u201cWe liked the notion of the product being \u2018cozy\u2019 but wanted a unique spelling that we could trademark,\u201d Ron said. \u201cThe typeface for the logo was designed to convey an ancient but uncertain origin. Is this from Latin America, North America, East Asia, South Pacific, Africa, Middle East, Nordic countries? The doll could be from anywhere, as could any person in the United States. It\u2019s up to the imagination, as are the adventures kids and adults alike will have with their Kozi Doll.\u201d <br><br>As part of the project, Ron consulted with University of Saint Thomas professors on the potential positive psychological impact and overall marketability of the dolls, which the Bennetts believe includes seniors. \u201cThe dolls are indeed personal and not just for children,\u201d said UST Professor Emeritus and retired consulting psychologist Gene Audette, also a Highland resident. \u201cEach of the dolls has engaged my emotional self such that when I saw them I wanted to take one and bring it close.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the parent of two boys, now in their 50s, Audette said he could immediately relate to the sleepy boy doll in the line as well as the Aleut Alaskan doll holding a fish.\u201cI could relate to the sleepy expression of that towhead in jammies, reminding me of moments with my sons during those innocent years,\u201d Audette said. \u201cAnyone who gives (the Kozi Dolls) more than just a quick glance will be drawn in.\u201d The Bennetts sought consumer product safety certification for the dolls. After having a battery of tests done at a product safety laboratory in Buffalo, New York, the data on fabric, ink and all required components were sent to an agency in Pennsylvania and Kozi Dolls were certified.<br><br><strong>Kozi dolls are made near Appalachia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bennetts searched for a manufacturer in the Twin Cities and Minnesota, but ended up with one in Ohio. \u201cWe found a startup near Athens, Ohio, near Appalachia,\u201d Kathryn said. \u201cThe founder knew coal mining isn\u2019t going to make it, so she decided to work on bringing skill sets back to people there. She calls her employees \u2018sewists.\u2019\u201d Kozi Dolls retail for $30 each. <br><br>Future plans include online sales, sales through other gift shops and making the dolls available at pop-up markets. Recently, the Bennetts were asked to include the dolls in a market day at Marvella Senior Living in Highland Park. \u201cThere have been layers to this project,\u201d Ron said. \u201cIt proves there\u2019s a lot to learn at any age. We don\u2019t know where this is going to go, but we hope people will enjoy Kozi Dolls and that they will increase a sense of belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CBS NEWS \/ WCCO<br><\/strong>July 16, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Overview: <\/em>Corazon, a gift store on East Lake Street in Minneapolis, is hosting its grand re-opening celebration this Saturday, and the store is featuring a new line of multicultural dolls created by a local Minnesota couple.&#8221;<br>Link to Video: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/minnesota\/video\/corazon-gift-store-hosting-grand-reopening\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Corazon gift store hosting grand reopening<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Assets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Download Kozi logos and product photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Download the Kozi logo:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Color, Black, White<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 PNG &amp; JPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-f25134cc-6c66-4214-ab90-99204545025b\" href=\"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Media_Kozi_Logos.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Media_Kozi_Logos<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:10px\">.ZIP file: 350KB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Download group photo of dolls:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 PNG &amp; JPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-4eac6e79-f182-47c4-b320-41e27bc5c3dc\" href=\"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Media_Kozi_Dolls_Group.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Media_Kozi_Dolls_Group<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:10px\">.ZIP file: 4MB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Download product photos of dolls:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 PNG &amp; JPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-1a53ca3e-ad1d-4b12-81d8-ce2401920d01\" href=\"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Media_Kozi_Dolls_Solo.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Media_Kozi_Dolls_Solo<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:10px\">.ZIP file: 1.2MB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Download illustrative photos of dolls:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 PNG &amp; JPG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-cc978b9b-9567-4b37-8d99-c1041982bc6e\" href=\"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Media_Kozi_Dolls_Illust.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Media_Kozi_Dolls_Illust<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:10px\">.ZIP file: 3MB<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Profile Kozi Dolls was founded by Minnesotan Kathryn Bennett in 2023. Designed from patterns painted 30 years prior by Kathryn\u2019s mother, Speed Gold, the multicultural dolls are colorful, soft, and safe for all ages. Purpose Now is the time for dolls rich in color and gentle in construction. Appealing to children\u2019s need for play, learning, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-659","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=659"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":737,"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/659\/revisions\/737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kozidolls.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}