Cultural Consulting
Deborah is an experienced animation professional with a demonstrated history of working in film, animation, government, education, social justice/civil rights, arts and cultural sectors. She is passionate about getting the conversation started and finding solutions around the topics of race, gender and other disparities. She looks to provide the writing, design, and planning assistance needed to develop African American, culturally relevant stories and designs for animated projects, educational programs, animation exhibits, and digital content.
👉🏾Animation/Film Project Cultural Expertise (Black American Culture)
👉🏾Policy & Advocacy Strategy
👉🏾Culture & Change Management
👉🏾Diversity Recruitment Strategies for Black Americans
👉🏾Policy & Advocacy Strategy
👉🏾Culture & Change Management
👉🏾Diversity Recruitment Strategies for Black Americans
Black American Cultural Expert
Deborah worked on a Black prime time animated television series and was empowered by her show runner (Black woman) and supervising director (Black man) to act as an added cultural expert on Black American culture for the production. She worked in tandem with their design team (character, background and props) to ensure that the designs were specific to the cultural norms of the city the series was based in and that the designs adhered to Black American standards.
This was done by attending design approval meetings with the show runner and supervising director and participating in discussions about the proper way to represent various aspects of Black American culture through design. She also attended design meetings and provided reference to the art director and designers. She cleared up any confusion when discussing the source/inspiration of various characters and the specificity on how Black Americans dress, the look of their living spaces, food choices and more.
She worked in the post production department and conducted research on background music, according to culture, geographical location and contemporary popularity. She also ensured the proper labeling of assets in the project management software.
This was done by attending design approval meetings with the show runner and supervising director and participating in discussions about the proper way to represent various aspects of Black American culture through design. She also attended design meetings and provided reference to the art director and designers. She cleared up any confusion when discussing the source/inspiration of various characters and the specificity on how Black Americans dress, the look of their living spaces, food choices and more.
She worked in the post production department and conducted research on background music, according to culture, geographical location and contemporary popularity. She also ensured the proper labeling of assets in the project management software.
Starting the Conversation
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Discussion of the various aspects of unconscious bias experienced in the workplace
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High-level analysis of strategies to gain more Black American interest in animation and create an ecosystem for Black animated projects
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Discussion on the impact and tangible outcomes from company and organization attempts at diversity efforts after the George Floyd incident
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Discussion about the Black womxn experience in the animation industry inclusive of non-binary animation professionals
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Discussion on the lack of representation of Black characters in video games
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Response to the character design change for Princess Tiana in Wreck It Ralph 2 and the cultural implications
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Analysis of the USC Annenberg gender study and the lack of strong solutions for their findings
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Discussing my experience in my career as a Black woman
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Discussion on how to carve out space in the animation industry for Black Americans
The Black Hair Alphabet
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Started with a daily art challenge
Purchase the Book:
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Black History and Animation
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List of HBCUs with animation programs
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Analysis of Cab Calloway's involvement in early animation as one of the most used Black performers for inspiration and rotoscoping
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Cultural Leadership Experience
Urban League of Louisiana Young Professionals
Served in the Urban League movement for over 10 years.
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Leadership Positions Held:
Impact
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Urban Leaders for Equity & Diversity (ULEAD)
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Received training through an academy for minorities interested in learning how to effectively navigate through the educational landscape in New Orleans. Training concentrated on advocacy, human capital, governance, policy and entrepreneurship. Final Project: Become a leader in the New Orleans animation community and teach animation workshops across the Greater New Orleans area.
Impact
Served as a board member for New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School from Mar 2016 - Dec 2018. Ensured that the Black students always had a champion when discussing the implementation of new policies and strategies for engagement and opportunity.
Highlighted the historical reasons for Black parents deterring their children from CTE careers because of educational tracking in previous generations directing Black students into special education classes and trades. |
Contemporary Arts Center (New Orleans) - Audience Advisory Committee
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Impact
Provided in-depth and critical feedback to the CAC's marketing, educational offerings, public programs, and performing arts activities in an effort to gain a more diverse viewership.
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2013-2014 Accelerator Fellow - iSTEMNOLA
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Impact
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