Beyond Borders: 10 Black-Owned Animation Studios Revolutionizing the Industry

The animation industry is recognized for its ability to captivate audiences across the globe, conveying powerful messages through visually compelling storytelling. While Disney princesses like Jasmine, Mulan, and Tiana have been pioneering in representing Middle-Eastern, Chinese, and African-American cultures, the industry still needs improved representation of people of color.

In recent years, there has been a growing acknowledgment of the importance of diversity within the animation realm. Black-owned studios are making significant strides in a vibrant animation landscape, crafting captivating stories and reshaping narratives from their unique perspectives. Here are ten remarkable animation houses that are leading the charge:

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These black-owned animation studios pave the way for a more inclusive future in an industry where diverse voices have been historically underrepresented. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge their challenges, including the lack of funding for diverse and inclusive studios. Despite these odds, these visionary studios persist, pushing boundaries and proving that the animation world can be a space where everyone’s story is heard and celebrated.

1. Martian Blueberry – Carl Jones

Martian Blueberry stands as a beacon of creativity at the heart of artistic innovation. Co-founded by Love Barnett and the award-winning animator Carl Jones, this animation powerhouse is not just at the intersection of art and culture but redefines it.

Inspired by the noticeable lack of diversity among animation staff, Jones and Barnett embarked on a mission to create toons that resonate with communities. Renowned for his work on “The Boondocks,” “Black Dynamite,” and “Sugar and Toys,” Jones brings a wealth of experience to Martian Blueberry. Here, diversity and inclusion are not just values but the driving force behind their captivating narratives.

2. Lion Forge Entertainment – David Steward II

Step into the world of Lion Forge Entertainment, an Academy Award-winning animation and live-action studio founded by David Steward II. Steward, a visionary passionate about authentic storytelling, launched Lion Forge in 2011 with a digital-first publishing model.

Committed to “comics for everyone,” Steward has gathered diverse writers, artists, and editors, offering cinematic comics, games, and animation that celebrate diverse voices. Lion Forge’s commitment to representing all genders, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds has led to critically acclaimed works like “Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven” and the groundbreaking Catalyst Prime superhero universe.

3. Small Town Animation Studios – Jermaine Hargrove

Nestled in Southeast Georgia, Small Town Animation Studios, founded by entrepreneur Jermaine Hargrove, is making waves in the animation world. This Black-owned studio focuses on developing and producing 3D CGI feature film/TV animation for a global audience.

Committed to minimal environmental impact, Small Town Animation Studios is not just creating captivating content but leading the way in sustainable animation practices. They are currently producing the highly anticipated 3D animated feature film “Gumshe”. Moreover, there is also the children’s faith-based animated series “The Sunday Schoolers”. This studio is a testament to the power of storytelling with a conscience.

4. Kugali – Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, and Hamid Ibrahim

Kugali, synonymous with innovation, stands at the forefront of animation, offering a unique blend of comic books, art, and augmented reality. Founders Tolu Olowofoyeku, Ziki Nelson, and Hamid Ibrahim hail from different corners of Africa but share a common vision—to respect history, embrace the present, and imagine the future of Africa through storytelling. Thus, their collaborative effort with Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Iwájú,” showcased on Disney+, promises to challenge societal norms and provide a platform for diverse African narratives on mainstream platforms.

5. Black Women Animate – Taylor K. Shaw

In the dynamic landscape of animation, Black Women Animate (BWAS) is a trailblazer, empowering Black women and promoting diverse stories. Founded by Taylor K. Shaw, BWAS is not just a studio but a movement challenging the status quo. BWAS is reshaping the animation industry by actively promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through a range of creative services, including graphics packages and character design. Their impactful training programs focusing on power dynamics, accountability, and inclusion barriers set a new industry standard. Check out their works, such as Barbie: Life in the City on Mattel and Your Attention Please on Hulu.

6. EVCL – Adamu Waziri

Adamu Waziri, a pioneer of the African animation industry, founded EVCL in Nigeria to create high-quality educational content for children. Struggling to find a job as an animator upon his return to Nigeria from the UK, Waziri launched the independent animation company EVCL in 2007. His brainchild, the cartoon series “Bino and Fino,” takes children on a journey through a city in sub-Saharan Africa, teaching universal and Afrocentric lessons. Available globally on platforms like YouTube, “Bino and Fino” has become a beloved educational tool for parents, emphasizing unity, tolerance, and a positive vision of Africa.

The cartoon aims to teach children about African history, culture and languages

7. Chaz Bottoms Animation Studios (CBA Studios) – Chaz Bottoms

Based in Los Angeles, Chaz Bottoms Animation Studios (CBA Studios) is not just an animation house but a commitment to diversity and powerful storytelling. Founded by 30 Under 30 recipient Chaz Bottoms, this 2-D animation studio has been making waves since 2019. With clients ranging from Disney and Apple TV to collaborations with John Legend and LeBron James, CBA Studios is a testament to the power of culture, storytelling, and heart. Their upcoming animated film, “Battu: An Animated Hip Hop Musical,” is poised to be a groundbreaking celebration of Chicago and young creatives.

8. The Tsunami Studio – Harto Macharia

Harto Macharia founded The Tsunami Studio, an award-winning creative media production studio based in Kenya. With a dedicated team of creative artists, this studio aims to tell African/Kenyan animated and illustrated stories for the local and global entertainment market. Their commitment to promoting creativity among the youth and raising quality standards in the media entertainment industry sets The Tsunami Studio apart. Through the power of imagination and cutting-edge content, they strive to become a self-sustaining animation powerhouse within Africa.

9. Komotion Studios – Kolawole Olarewaju

Despite funding challenges, Komotion Studios is making waves in Nigeria with a project titled “Dawn Of Thunder – Origin Of Sango.” Founded by a team of visionaries, Komotion Studios aims to provide disruptive content and solutions that break new ground. Their expertise in design, 3D visualization, motion graphics, and animation positions them as innovators in various industries, from advertising to film and entertainment. “Dawn Of Thunder” is an ambitious project, an African prince’s origin story merging with the Yoruba god of thunder, Sango. Utilizing performance capture and real-time rendering, the project is a love letter to Africa and an official introduction to one of its untold stories.

10. Magic Carpet Studios – Ferdy Adimefe

A journey into the world of Magic Carpet Studios is one into the heart of African storytelling. Ferdy Adimefe founded this innovative storytelling company committed to transforming human consciousness by putting authentic African stories on the global entertainment map. Operating officially since 2016, Magic Carpet Studios started as a 2D animation studio but has expanded into games, cut-outs, 3D, and various animation forms.

With a vision to place Africa at the center stage of the entertainment world, Magic Carpet Studios uses innovative techniques like AR, V.R., 3D-hyper-realistic animated films, oil painting aesthetics, and CGI imagery to craft culturally conscious works. In 2023, they were working on a 2D romance thriller, The Passport of Malan Ilia, an adaptation of the 1960s book by Cyprian Ekwensi. Furthermore,  The Igwes is another sitcom making waves on the continent from the studio. Last but not least, Legends of Bulan is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the world. It is a 3D Pan-African series made from history, culture, and African mythology. The series features kingdoms like Timbuktu, Zulu, Ashanti, and more.