I figured I'd highlight some of my favorite Black animators and producers. Cartoons offer a way to open yourself up to different points of view, and I really believe that something special happens in your brain when you give your empathy to a drawing. I think it can help children and adults practice empathy in the real world!
But I should acknowledge that this post is mostly for myself. Engaging in the effort to compose this helps me stay conscious in what I hope is a productive way. And it's just fun to sort through the social media of all these people whose work I admire and see the amazing art they draw in their free time (and the activism they're doing!!).
Anyway, celebrating and promoting Black people in the industry at all levels, from story boarders and revisionists to showrunners to executives, will open up opportunities to tell more rich and sensitive stories centered around Black people. And I think that's one important step to dismantling systemic racism. So if nothing else (but hopefully also A LOT else), follow some Black artists on Instagram and Twitter and wherever they post!
But first, if you want a much bigger and more organized resource for finding Black artists, check out Annabelle Hayford's #drawingwhileblack directory.
Anyway, here's my little list of creators I like -
Ian Jones-Quartey
He's just great! He's worked on some of my absolute favorite series -- The Venture Bros., Adventure Time, and Steven Universe. He's also the creator of OK KO! Let's Be Heroes!, which wrapped up last fall.
I also learned today that Ian's grandmother, Theodosia Okoh, designed Ghana's national flag!! She partially inspired the character Nanefua Pizza on Steven Universe. Amazing. <3 #nanefua2020
LeSean Thomas
He's done so much it's hard to even summarize, but you should watch the opening sequence to his Netflix original Cannon Busters!! Tell me you don't get chills! The song alone is such a bop!
See also - The Boondocks, Black Dynamite, and Legend of Korra
Twitter (which is suspended at this time for some reason but I swear it was up just yesterday...)
Aaron McGruder
Speaking of The Boondocks, this is the guy who created the original comics and the animated series!! It's great stuff. I first watched it when I was way too young (and too holed up in my white community) to get it, but it really stuck in my mind so it had to be something special. Watched it again in college and am planning to re-watch it again soon. It's also getting a reboot on HBO Max which is supposed to air in fall 2020!
Aaron's not really active on social media... so just watch The Boondocks!!
Peter Ramsey
Did you see Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse?? You gotta see it!!! This guy co-directed it! This movie is not only a revolution in animation, but also just incredible storytelling at its core. Please please watch it!
Chase Conley
I feel like people haven't been talking nearly enough about Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts on Netflix. It's so good and fun and sweet!! I'm still not over the Newton Wolves Rap (ft. GZA).
Anyway, Chase Conley directed about half the episodes in season 1! Season 2 is premiering on June 12th, so get caught up ASAP!!
By the way, I just discovered that he's also working on the Boondocks reboot so that's fun. :) And his art on social media is particularly cool.
Matthew A. Cherry and Karen Rupert Toliver
Director/Writer and Co-Producer of Hair Love!!! Did you watch it??? Go watch it!
Matthew's Twitter (very active and very good)
Najja Porter and Dashawn Mahone
Story boarders on Craig of the Creek!! Highly suggest watching this show - it's cute and imaginative and feels very grounded in love. <3 Meet Craig's family here! I definitely didn't cry the first time I watched that.
Also you can see a ~behind-the-scenes~ conversation with them and Head Writer Jeff Trammel here!
I particularly love Najja's personal projects. Check it out!
Lamar Abrams
Very talented story boarder for Steven Universe and Craig of the Creek!! Also the voice of Buck Dewey on SU - an icon. I don't really have much to say except check out his work plz.
OKAY! This is by far the most effort I've put into any post yet and I didn't even dig very deep. But to sum up, here are some shows and movies I think you should watch that are centered around Black characters and created by Black people.
- Hair Love
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Craig of the Creek
- Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
- The Boondocks
- Cannon Busters
Thanks for reading! And let me know if you enjoy any of these recommendations. :) I'll probably publish another list like this again soon, because like I said - I barely scratched the surface here.
