Floyd Norman Is Disney’s First Black Animator

Feb. 29, 2024 – 01:38 – This year for Black History Month, theGrio celebrates Black Pioneers for their contributions to America’s arts, music and entertainment. We continue to Keep Black History Alive by honoring Floyd Norman, one of the first Black animators at Disney. Floyd Norman studied at the Art Center College of Pasadena before departing to take a job at Disney Studios. One of his first jobs was a clean-up artist for the animated motion picture, Sleeping Beauty. While working at Disney, Floyd would draw and post gag drawings around the office that poked fun at the company’s executives. This got the attention ofWalt Disney, who recognized his storytelling abilities and placed him in the story department for The Jungle Book. He worked at Disney for some time before exiting and creating his own production company in 1966 during the civil rights movement. His company specialized in creating educational motion pictures on Black History for schools He would also work on the primetime cartoon Fat Albert and create the animated train for Soul Train. The Disney company recognized Norman’s contributions by honoring him as a Disney Legend in 2007. In 2021, Norman was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. #KeepingBlackHistoryAlive