Tell The Damn Story ep, 364: From Hidden Histories to Universal Themes: How Global Artists Redefine Cultural Identity in Comics & Animation

Tell The Damn Story

On this special international episode of "Tell The Damn Story," hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons team up with a panel of extraordinary artists and storytellers from across the globe, thanks to the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC).

Joining them are Micheline Hess of Mishmash Arts (NYC), acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator Tayo Fatunla (UK/Nigeria), and Jesse Sunkwa-Mills, CEO of Mills Media in Ghana.

Together, they dive into the transformative power of comics, graphic novels, animation, and storytelling as vehicles for culture, representation, and change.

Through personal origin stories, the panel explores their earliest inspirations, ongoing creative challenges, and the passion that keeps them pushing boundaries in their fields.

They discuss the importance of self-education, the hurdles of making your own way as an artist in underserved industries, and the absolute necessity of seeing your own story and face represented in media.

Whether it’s resurrecting folklore, uplifting African narratives through animation, or fighting for visibility as an artist of color, these creators are united by a drive to tell stories that haven’t been told before.

Tune in for a conversation filled with hard-won wisdom, shared laughter, global perspectives, practical advice for emerging creatives, shout-outs to other creators, and some can’t-miss recommendations.

If you’re looking for inspiration or real talk about the journey from dreamer to doer in storytelling, you won’t want to miss this episode.

• Tayo Fatunla shares his work on Instagram (@tfatunla123) and runs a personal website where his art awaits your discovery. (www.tayofatunla.com

• Jesse Sunkwa-Mills and his studio, Mills Media, share insightful content about their projects on Instagram (@millsmedia_).

• Micheline Hess showcases her vibrant storytelling through her brand, Mishmash Arts (mishmasharts.com), and actively shares updates on Instagram. (@michmasharts)

Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?

Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.

Write: [email protected]

And follow us on ...

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

www.TellTheDamnStory.com

www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠