For decades, Black animators have been instrumental in shaping the world of animation, often without the recognition they deserve. From classic Saturday morning cartoons to groundbreaking feature films, these talented creators have brought to life unforgettable characters, stories, and styles that continue to inspire and push the boundaries of the medium. Here’s a look at 17 Black animators whose work is essential to understanding the past, present, and future of animation.
Floyd Norman
Known as Disney’s first Black animator, Norman was hired in the 1950s and worked on some of Disney’s most classic films. Over his decades-long career, he’s also been an outspoken advocate for diversity in animation.
- Notable Work: Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, Monsters, Inc.
Brenda Lee Banks
Brenda Lee Banks was one of the first Black female animators in the U.S. industry, and her work spanned both television and feature films. She’s known for her contributions to animated classics and as a trailblazer in the industry.
- Notable Work: The Smurfs, Rover Dangerfield, The Jetsons, The Simpsons
Bruce W. Smith
Smith directed Bebe’s Kids and created The Proud Family, one of the first animated shows centered on a Black family. His work continues to inspire and champion Black characters and culture in animation.
- Notable Work: The Proud Family, Bébé’s Kids, The Princess and the Frog
Sonya Carey
With a career that started in traditional animation, Sonya Carey is known for her work as an animator and animation supervisor. She has contributed to major animated films and commercials and is also a key figure in training and mentoring new talent.
- Notable Work: Space Jam, The Prince of Egypt, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Aaron McGruder
Creator of The Boondocks, McGruder’s work brought a satirical look at race, culture, and social issues. Though primarily known as a writer and producer, his work in animation has had a lasting impact on social commentary through Black voices.
- Notable Work: The Boondocks, Black Jesus
Arthell Isom
Isom is a trailblazer as one of the few Black animators working in Japan. His Tokyo-based studio, D’ART Shtajio, is the first American-owned anime studio in Japan, blending Western and Japanese animation styles.
- Notable Work: Tokyo Ghoul, Gintama, Founder of D’ART Shtajio
LeSean Thomas
With a rich portfolio in both American and Japanese animation, LeSean Thomas has created shows that highlight Black protagonists and bring diverse storytelling to the anime genre.
- Notable Work: Black Dynamite, The Boondocks, Cannon Busters, Yasuke
Everett Downing Jr.
Co-director of Hair Love, Downing won an Oscar for his contribution to this beloved short film that highlights Black hair and family. His work on My Dad the Bounty Hunter brings a new narrative focused on Black family dynamics in sci-fi.
- Notable Work: We the People, Hair Love, My Dad the Bounty Hunter,
Leo D. Sullivan
Sullivan was one of the first Black animators to work for major studios like Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera. He later co-founded Vignette Films, one of the first Black-owned animation studios, and was committed to creating educational and empowering content for Black audiences.
- Notable Work: Fat Albert, Soul Train, The Transformers, BraveStarr
Frank Braxton
Often credited as the first Black animator in Hollywood, Braxton paved the way for future Black animators in the 1950s. His work at Warner Bros. and MGM established him as a pioneering figure who challenged racial barriers in the animation world.
- Notable Work: Mr. Magoo, The Bullwinkle Show
Ron Myrick
Myrick was one of the first Black animators to direct Saturday morning cartoons in the 1980s. His work has been instrumental in diversifying superhero narratives and expanding the scope of animation genres for Black creators.
- Notable Work: The Real Ghostbusters, Extreme Ghostbusters, Marvel Action Hour
Milton Knight
As one of the first Black animators to work on mainstream television animation in the 1980s and ’90s, Knight’s distinctive style brought diverse visuals to Saturday morning cartoons and helped normalize Black creatives in animation.
- Notable Work: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Cool World, Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures
Peter Ramsey
Peter Ramsey made history as the first Black filmmaker to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature as a co-director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. His work is known for its bold storytelling and groundbreaking visual style.
- Notable Work: Rise of the Guardians, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Monsters vs. Aliens
Frank E. Abney III
Frank E. Abney III is an animator, writer, and director with a passion for creating stories that reflect his experiences and heritage. Known for his work at major studios like Pixar and Netflix, he’s also directed his own short film to showcase Black perspectives.
- Notable Work: Soul, Coco, Toy Story 4, Canvas (short film)
Ian Jones-Quartey
Ian Jones-Quartey is an animator, writer, and showrunner with a passion for creating inclusive, action-packed animated series. His style often incorporates elements of fantasy and humor, inspired by his Ghanaian heritage.
- Notable Work: Steven Universe, OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, Adventure Time
Pilar Newton
Pilar Newton is a versatile animator and educator whose career spans traditional animation, children’s cartoons, and commercials. She has also launched her own studio and is known for her strong focus on character-driven storytelling.
- Notable Work: Courage the Cowardly Dog, Doug, 101 Dalmatians: The Series
Chaz Bottoms
Known for his dedication to telling Black stories through animation, Bottoms created Battu, a musical series about young Black dancers. He’s emerging as a unique voice in the indie animation world, blending storytelling with the vibrancy of Black culture.
- Notable Work: Battu: An Animated Musical