Shout out to Shawn James

I found Mr. Shawn James after researching Mr. Eric July and also reading about this program. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/28/1114089182/project-named-for-peanuts-character-franklin-aims-to-boost-black-animators I went down the rabbit hole and this time it was enlightening and entertaining.

I’m not a comic book aficionado. We had a few comic books at the house when we were kids. Archie, Batman or Superman, but I wasn’t reading them. I appreciated the drawings and colors and my brother would regale me with the actual story. I didn’t realize at the time, but comic books assisted in reading, thinking and imaginary play for children especially boys. I have friends who are long standing readers and collectors of comic books. Housed in plastic and nestled in bankers boxes their cache represents childhood dreams, professional aspirations and have monetary value.

Shawn James took his childhood joy and became an entrepreneur, illustrator, author and collaborator. Comic books were an important part of his upbringing and fortified his education. He had some messy workforce incidents and decided that he needed to be in control of his destiny. Mr. James has created over eighty books and in genres such as relationships, science fiction and goth. Some of his male and female characters are named John Haynes, Isis and E’steem. Mr. James focuses on great content, story lines and illustrations…