Hey, Folks!
Today, Sweet Blackberry is launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for our third educational, animated film!
For all of you who have followed and supported us over the years, I really appreciate all you’ve done to keep Sweet Blackberry (www.sweetblackberry.org) alive.
For those of you who are not as familiar with the organization, Sweet Blackberry's mission is to bring little-known stories of African American achievement to kids through various forms of media, namely short, animated films.
Past films have been narrated by Alfre Woodard and Queen Latifah. And both films have won the Parents Choice Award, Learning Magazine’s Teacher’s Choice Award, and others. Both films had a nice run on HBO and HBO Family.
Over the next few weeks, I’m really going to need your help.
Let me tell you about the exciting story that we are finally going to be able to share…
It’s the story of dancer, Janet Collins. She was the first Black soloist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. When she was 15, the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo asked her to join their company (this was 1932!) but they said she’d have to perform in whiteface. She declined, but went on to break down barriers and inspire artists around the world. Today, few people have even heard of her. I think her story of perseverance is a great story for kids. And the image of a real-life Black ballerina for Black little girls – someone strong and beautiful that looks like them – is so important.
Chris Rock has come on board to narrate!
Award-winning children’s illustrator, R. Gregory Christie, is going to illustrate!
We have some incredible talents pitching in, but in order to make this happen, I need your help. ANY contribution is appreciated. And if you cannot help with funds, please do what you can to spread the word to family and friends, however possible; social media, emails,…telephone! :)
Check out the campaign. You’ll learn more about Janet Collins and about Sweet Blackberry. And you can take a look at the awesome rewards we have lined up (Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Chris Rock, Questlove, The Metropolitan Opera, Misty Copeland, The cast of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and others have all contributed to the cause). Good, fun, unique items and experiences.
I’m very excited about this campaign and finally having the chance to share this story. It’s a story that belongs to all of us, yet risks being lost.
It’s very important that we start strong, so please do what you can right off the bat, to get us moving up and over that hill!
Thank you for your support!
Much love,
Karyn
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