Cartoonists of Color is creating
a database to promote PoC comics creators
Database creator and curator
2
$2
About
For visibility. For academia. For inspiration. For community building.
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Top PatronsSee all 2
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Hello, my name is MariNaomi. I'm a writer, artist and comics creator, and I'm trying to fund a project I feel passionate about: the Cartoonists of Color Database.
Not so long ago, after hearing the words "What PoC cartoonists?" one too many times, I decided to start a list for my own purposes. I culled my resources, I asked around, and although there was lots of info floating around on its own, there was no place where you could find a definitive list of creators.
My modest list of a dozen or so names turned into thirty, then a hundred, then several hundred. "Someone should really make a list like this on the internet," I thought. And then I realized it might as well be me. This is how the Cartoonists of Color Database was born.
Today, there are a whopping eight hundred PoC comics creators listed in the database, many of them accompanied by links to their work, and the list is growing every day. Recently I've begun to spotlight different individuals via Twitter and Facebook, in the hopes of introducing readers to new and interesting work that they might not otherwise have known about.
As a Cartoonist of Color myself, I feel this database is important for the following reasons: It gives us visibility--I've discovered so much talent on the site, and there are so many more links I have yet to check out. It allows us to find our community, to not feel so alone in what is already such a solitary profession. But best of all, it gives us an answer to that question, "What PoC cartoonists?"
Already, I've put hundreds of hours into this project, but it's a labor of love and sometimes gets pushed aside for paying gigs. By creating this Patreon, I intend to raise its priority level. Some things I want to accomplish over time include the following:
* Expand the database to include more info and someday, images and bios.
* Build and maintain a website dedicated entirely to the database (currently it's piggy-backing off my personal website).
* Get the word out via postcards or other advertising/marketing.
* Create a blog and newsletter.
* Participate in community-building events.
* Encourage more people of color to create comics!
Any amount you can donate would be most appreciated. Thank you!
Not so long ago, after hearing the words "What PoC cartoonists?" one too many times, I decided to start a list for my own purposes. I culled my resources, I asked around, and although there was lots of info floating around on its own, there was no place where you could find a definitive list of creators.
My modest list of a dozen or so names turned into thirty, then a hundred, then several hundred. "Someone should really make a list like this on the internet," I thought. And then I realized it might as well be me. This is how the Cartoonists of Color Database was born.
Today, there are a whopping eight hundred PoC comics creators listed in the database, many of them accompanied by links to their work, and the list is growing every day. Recently I've begun to spotlight different individuals via Twitter and Facebook, in the hopes of introducing readers to new and interesting work that they might not otherwise have known about.
As a Cartoonist of Color myself, I feel this database is important for the following reasons: It gives us visibility--I've discovered so much talent on the site, and there are so many more links I have yet to check out. It allows us to find our community, to not feel so alone in what is already such a solitary profession. But best of all, it gives us an answer to that question, "What PoC cartoonists?"
Already, I've put hundreds of hours into this project, but it's a labor of love and sometimes gets pushed aside for paying gigs. By creating this Patreon, I intend to raise its priority level. Some things I want to accomplish over time include the following:
* Expand the database to include more info and someday, images and bios.
* Build and maintain a website dedicated entirely to the database (currently it's piggy-backing off my personal website).
* Get the word out via postcards or other advertising/marketing.
* Create a blog and newsletter.
* Participate in community-building events.
* Encourage more people of color to create comics!
Any amount you can donate would be most appreciated. Thank you!