American Girl celebrates 30th anniversary with civil rights-era doll

American Girl is celebrating 30 years with a new historical doll.

Melody Ellison is a 9-year-old African-American singer who lives in Detroit, Michigan during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

American Girl hopes her story brings awareness of racial inequality to little girls around the world. Melody's story explores the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and the success of Motown Records.

Melody is the third African-American doll in the American Girl's line of historical dolls.

The first is Addy, a Civil War-era girl who escapes slavery.

The second was Cecile, who lives in 19th century New Orleans. Cecile was discontinued in 2014.

Melody will be available in stores late this summer, and will retail for $115.

One of her accessories is a recording studio that plays Motown music, which is sold separately.