Black faces weren't always part of the comic strips found in mainstream American newspapers. In this episode speaks with the first Black woman cartoonist to achieve national syndication in the United States, Barbara Brandon-Croft. With This Conversation Matters host Sheree R. Curry, Barbara reflects on the pioneering legacy of her father, Brumsic Brandon Jr., creator of Luther, and her own groundbreaking comic strip, Where I'm Coming From.

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This Conversation Matters episode also discusses the evolution of Black representation in mainstream newspapers, the power of comics to reflect everyday life, and how a generation of cartoonists helped broaden who readers saw on the comics page. Barbara also shares her journey from fashion journalism and magazine publishing to becoming a syndicated cartoonist whose work centered the voices and experiences of Black women.

From Luther to Where I'm Coming From, this conversation explores family legacy, media representation, and the artists who helped draw a more complete picture of America.

Guest: Barbara Brandon-Croft
Host: Sheree R. Curry

#ThisConversationMatters #BarbaraBrandonCroft #ComicStrips #Comics #Journalism #BlackHistory #Representation #Storytelling

Chapters

• 00:00 Pioneering Black Cartoonists
• 07:16 Challenges in the Journalism Industry
• 15:24 Transition to Cartooning and Syndication
• 26:21 Breaking into the Syndicates
• 35:24 Historical Context and Impact
• 47:01 The Book and Retrospective Exhibit
• 53:34 Influence and Legacy
• BONUS: McCall Vickers "Beyond The Story" interview with Samantha HoangLong