Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Pictures hosted a photo shoot celebrating the diversity and impact of Black Animation professionals in our community. The picture above was inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photo, “A Great Day in Harlem,” and shines a light on 55 outstanding creators, story artists, animators, directors, and executives who have devoted their careers to this craft and made long lasting impressions within our industry. It was a truly historic gathering that took place on the legendary Paramount backlot on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

The idea for the portrait was brought to Nickelodeon by Marlon West (Encanto, Moana, Frozen), who enlisted his friends Bruce Smith (Bebe’s Kids, Proud Family), Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Everett Downing (We the People, Hair Love), and spearheaded from the Nickelodeon side by Camille Eden, Vice President, Recruitment, Talent Development and Outreach, along with her team–Robbie Siron, Sharon Wen, Trishawn Ellis and Victor Nwaopara. This incredible group of talented professionals brought this moment to life and have made an indelible mark on our industry.

(Click to enlarge photo – Pictured above: Aaron Spurgeon, Abelle Hayford, Ayo Davis, Breana Williams, Brie E Henderson, Bruce W. Smith, Camille Eden, Carole Holliday, Chris Copeland, Chrystin Garland, Constance Allen, Deborah Anderson, Devin Crane, Eric, Ramsey, Everett Downing Jr., Floyd Norman, Frank Abney, Jay Francis, Justin Copeland, Kaela Lash, Kai Akira, Karen Toliver, Kelley Gardner, Kemp Powers, Kenny Thompkins, Kwesi Davis, Latoya Raveneau, Layron DeJarnette, Lennie Graves, Lenord Robinson, Leo D. Sullivan, Leo Sullivan Jr., Lyndon Barrois Jr., Lynne Southerland, Maimuna Venzant, Marcella Brown, Marlon West, Marshall Toomey, Morenike Dosu, Peter Ramsey, Pixote Hunt, Ralph Farquhar, Reginald Hudlin, Robert Tyler, Ron Husband, Ron Myrick, Shabrayia Cleaver, Shari B. Ellis, Shavonne Cherry, Shay Stone, Sidney Clifton, Swinton Scott, Tara Nicole Whitaker, Tyree Dillihay, Umaimah Damakk)

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.

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