Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Pictures teamed up earlier this month (June 5, 2022), to pay homage to Black animators with “A Great Day in Animation.” The event was inspired by the iconic 1958 “A Great Day in Harlem,” photographed by Art Kane. The image, which was later recreated in 1998 for Hip Hop, featured 57 jazz musicians on a stoop in Harlem. This time, photographer Randy Shropshire and production lead Jeff Vespa put the spotlight on 54 Black animators.
The photo showcased the diversity and talent within the world of animation. “A Great Day in Animation” was a collaborative effort that included artists from various corners of the animation industry. The brainchild behind this project was Marlon West, a visual effects supervisor at Disney known for his work on “The Lion King,” “Encanto,” and more. For West, the original “A Great Day in Harlem” photo had long served as a source of inspiration, and he wanted to recreate a similar moment for Black animators.
With the assistance of friends and colleagues, including Bruce Smith, Peter Ramsey, and Everett Downing Jr., West compiled a list of animation professionals to participate. He included legendary figures like Floyd Norman, Disney’s first-ever Black animator. He was known for his work on “Sleeping Beauty.” As well as his close collaborator Leo D. Sullivan, who was the co-owner of Hollywood’s first Black animation studio.
But West also featured up-and-coming talents like Latoya Raveneau and Chrystin Garland to ensure a representation of both seasoned artists and emerging voices. Similar to the original, which featured legendary jazz musician Coleman Hawkins in the middle, he positioned Floyd Norman in a central role within the photograph.
Shot on the New York-style buildings at the Paramount lot in Los Angeles, for two and a half hours, 54 Black animation professionals, and even one director’s child, came together. They shared new connections and rekindling old ones. It was a day filled with reunions and shared stories that underscored the unity and camaraderie within the Black animation community.
The 54 animators included are: 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 Damakka
The impact of “A Great Day in Animation” is profound. Just as “A Great Day in Harlem” showcased the abundance of talent in the jazz world, this photograph showcases the wealth of Black artists excelling in the field of animation. Marlon West expressed his hope that people would look at this photo and recognize the incredible breadth of Black talent within the industry. This project is not just a snapshot of a single moment but a representation of a legacy and an inspiring future.
(Originally read on Variety)