Cartoon Network has partnered with Black Women Animate Studios to host the first-ever Black In Animation awards. The event will highlight the work of Black creatives and encourage others to follow suit.
Black Women Animate, also known as BWA, was founded by Taylor K Shaw in collaboration with JLove Calderón. The organization aims to create content and offer production-related services to other studios and companies within the animation industry.
“The honoring of our stories and contributions to the world of animation is long overdue. We are honored to put on the first ever event of this kind and hope it inspires more Black creatives to create our own narratives,” Black Women Animate Studios CEO Taylor K. Shaw said.
BWA is run by Black female creative professionals and focuses on hiring and creating content produced by minorities.
“The name of our studio is very intentional; it serves as a call to action that our studio is a place to support the rise of Black female talent in animation,” Calderón said. “When we first started, we were told that no one was going to work with us due to our name. Fast forward three years later, when you are focused on authentic representation it makes a greater impact in our content, mission, and influence on the entertainment industry.”
“We are a mission-driven animation studio. It is our goal to create awesome content that is reflective of the African diaspora,” Shaw said. “And while doing that, we want to make sure that we are consciously hiring Black women, women of color, and non-binary people of color. We exist as a studio to amplify creativity and Black talent.”
This year’s event will be hosted by Estelle who will perform “True Kinda Love” from Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe: The Movie, as sung by her character, Garnet.
Honorees include:
- Vanessa Morrison, president of streaming at Walt Disney Studios (Trailblazer Award)
- Bruce Smith, EP & director at Disney Television Animation (Narrative Creator Award)
- Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, tv director and experimental filmmaker (Cultural Innovator Award)
- Tina Obo, director (Rising Star Award)
- Latoya Raveneau, director at Disney Television Animation (Next Gen Award)
- Carole Holliday, animator and story artist (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Honorees were selected by the Awards Show Nomination Committee inclusive of industry veterans and community leaders: Camille Eden (VP of Recruiting and Talent Development, Nickelodeon), Nicole Rivera (Vice President, Original Series Development, Cartoon Network), Lynne Southerland (Director/Showrunner), Sidney Clifton (EP, Jim Henson & Deluxe Animation, Supervising Producer, BWA Studios), Carl Reed (President, Lion Forge Animation), Jinko Gotoh (Producer, Netflix ), and Marlon West (Head of Effects, Disney).
BWA hopes that the award show and future events the studio is planning can help inspire the next generation of creatives.
“My message to the future generation of creators is you can, and you will,” said Shaw. “And these people that you are watching in the award show are examples of what is possible to become in the field of animation and beyond as well. Keep your dream alive.”
The awards show will be the closing event for the third annual BWA Studios Boot Camp training event on December 6 at 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST.
You can watch the Black in Animation Awards Show virtually and can register to watch the show and participate in the BWA Studios Boot Camp through www.bwabootcamp.com.
