Creator of Brotherman Comics Teaches Graphic Art to Kids In Africa

Perhaps the first all black comic book hero creator, Emmy Award winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile has been spending time in West Africa working to teach kids how to “Draw from the Soul”. As the creative mind behind popular cartoons like Rugrats, Wild Thornberries and Daria, Anyabwile most known for his early 90’s hit comic series Brotherman. A story of an everyday inner city black man who takes the protection of his community in his own hands. 

The series sold nearly a million copies in its first few years and became a household favorite among black homes. Dawud later shelved the project after taking positions with Turner’s Cartoon Network and full feature films but he would later rebirth the series for an encore that has been widely applauded in comic book circles. His work has since won him an Emmy Award and his comic book collection has been added to the Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture in Washington D.C.. 

This year the Brotherman creator is dedicating time to inspire young people in Africa to use their artistic skills to tell their story and impact the mass opinion of our people. I had the opportunity to tag along with Baba Dawud as he traveled all over Senegal just to participate in art workshops for students. 

At the first school we visited with Dawud, he was awaited by a long time buddy who he had only met before online. His friend known as King Mow is a graffiti artists and activist who paints elaborate murals all over Senegal. He was giving a high school art workshop and welcomed Dawud to attend and participate. The students introduced themselves to the Brotherman creator and gave him a warm “Welcome to Africa”. They shared stories about their life and goals with Baba Dawud and he offered advice and support. The exchange was emotional as the group communicated despite language difference and still saw eye to eye. 

After the workshop Baba Dawud pitched in to help King Mow and students as they painted a mural on the school’s front wall. The mural was a commemoration of the Senegalese soldiers who were executed by France after helping them win the second World War. 

The next stop was 4 hours away in a small yet influential town of Medina Baye Kaolack. Here we take Baba Dawud to a boarding house where African American youth study side by side with other internationals. The house has dozens of English speaking boys and girls, many of whom expressed much interest in creative arts. They were all gathered together for an interactive learning session with the seasoned artist as he taught digital character design. He lent students his graphic tablets and tools to create their own super characters. The students all ages got to try their hand at sketching and digitally designing from their imagination. The atmosphere was lively and you could feel the creative inspiration flowing. Before leaving Dawud left copies of his latest edition Brotherman Comics and challenged students to continue to “Draw from their Soul.”  

After the long 4 hour trip back to Dakar, Baba Dawud and King Mow set out to leave an additional lasting impression on the city by double teaming a second mural along the coastline just behind the Presidential Palace facing the infamous Goree Island. Within an hour and half time the pair had completed a very impressive collaboration of a black man and woman pounding fists in front of text that reads “Africa Unite” and “We Art One”. 

May these artistic contributions be a part of the fabric of Africa for years to come. 

Follow Dawud Anyabwile @BrothermanComix

Follow King Mow @Mow504

Author: RJ Mahdi

African American repatriate to West Africa, founder of Made In Africa Project, pan-African activist as well as business and investment consultant broker. Follow me on social media @KingRJMahdi.