Welcome all and thank you for coming to my crowdfunding page! My name is Kamasi Hill, PhD and I'm a historian, theologian, art curator, filmmaker, and a high school teacher for the past 25 years. I specialize in 20th and 21st century American Religious History and Culture and my work explores various themes in African-American History, religion, and popular culture. ![]()
I've been a fan of comic books all my life! When I was kid, my parents bought me DC and Marvel comics, but they also bought me Golden Legacy Black History Comics. I was hooked and realized that storytelling and cartoon art/animation could be informative and educational.
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In college, I decided to major in film and history, I knew that I wanted to be a storyteller.
In ancient West Africa, the keepers of the story earned the title of "Griot."
- I've been a modern day griot, teaching students for over 25 years, and have noticed waning interest in reading. Students are often bored (and rightfully so) with traditional text books, so I decided to create a series of non-fiction graphic novels to help reorient students to the power of literacy and imagination.
- The truth is, the way we think is in images and thoughts. We don't remember things as movies or photographs, we remember them as cartoons.
What We Need & What You Get
My goal is to create a series of Graphic Novels that can serve as primary and supplemental learning materials for students and lifelong learners. A Griot's History will be a series of Graphic Novels filled with humor, illustration, and facts about history that you will find no place else!
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I will be self-publishing the first run of the graphic novel. I will need funds to produce the comics, compensate the illustrator, pay for the digital coloring, publishing, and shipping.
- Most importantly, your gifts go to help inspire people to read and learn about African-American history and culture in a way that isn't boring or uninspiring. The perks that you can receive include your own copies and merchandise associated with the series depending on your gift.
- The first in the series will focus on the Great Migration in 4 Acts: I will focus on the ideas, cultural/religious contributions, the political/economic impacts, and highlight the role of unsung sheroes/heroes during the early to mid-20th century.
- Humor, vivid images, and short and direct passages will be featured on all 120 pages!
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- This project has one primary goal in mind: to tell the stories of the Black experience to a new generation of readers without boring them to death!
- Ideally, I would love every student in the classroom to have a copy of this series.
- I have published articles, written chapters in books, and completed a full length feature documentary film about history! Now it's time to help inspire young adults and lifelong learners through the power of illustration and storytelling.
- Your contribution is essential to make that happen!
- 100% of your gifts will go to producing and publishing the graphic novel!
- If it is successful, I will be able to continue the series beyond the Great Migration.
Please consider making a contribution and/or sharing the link to this project! Thank you so much in advance!
- Kamasi Hill, PhD, The Griot
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