Black Led Cartoons For Today's Kid's

 One thing I quickly learned since becoming a parent in 2020, was that you soon get sucked into the shows your kid watches. If it's not the theme song randomly popping in your head, or the toy's you end up buying. Or actually realizing that it actually is a good show, you also make sure that your kid's see people that look like them on TV.

Representation matters there is absolutely no doubt about it, unfortunately avenues to include more representation are currently under attack by folks who don't love themselves so they hate everyone else. We must keep representation and what it mean's for kid's alive, so with that here modern cartoons featuring Black led characters for today's kid's to check out.

Craig Of The Creek

Craig Of The Creek was a standout favorite on the fall from grace cable channel that is the Cartoon network. Debuting in 2018, the show features the main character craig and his band of friends as they play at a nearby creek, using their vast imaginations to make the creek their own little world and navigating life in the process. The show just ended it's final season last month and went out with much fanfare.

Reruns still air on Cartoon network, and it is available on streaming services such Max and Hulu.

Motown Magic

This Netflix original is a favorite in my house and a genius idea in my opinion. Using the legendary music from Motown records and inspiration from cartoons such as The Magic School Bus. The series also debuting in 2018, follows a young boy Ben who stumbles upon a paintbrush that is magical in nature. It allows him to bring colorful art to life and through the power of Motown learn some lessons each episode.

While still available on Netflix, it only lasted two season's which is a shame because while several Motown favorites were played, there is a vault of classics that were never touched.

Doc Mcstuffins

The Doc is Here! Doc McStuffins the cartoon is well over 10 years old, debuting in 2012 yet kid's of today still love it. Dottie "Doc" McStuffins aspires to be a doctor like her mother, and with the power of his magic stethoscope and toys she brings to life she is able to start working towards that goal. Fixing toys from dolls to stuff animals healing them from their ailments. And as customary for most kid show's she learns important life lessons in every episode. 

The cartoon was a Disney Channel hit during it's original run which ended in 2020. I'm sure one of the Disney networks still air reruns, but it's available to watch on Disney plus and Hulu.

Ada Twist, Scientist

Another Netflix original Ada Twist, Scientist is a show in a similiar vain as Doc McStuffins. Debuting in 2021 the series follows the highly intelligent 9 year old Ada, full of imagination she has a book of scientific inventions and her own "magical' lab she can conduct experiments in. She also has three friends who are equally as smart by her side to assist in her science hijinks. 

The series focuses on the STEM field and imagination amongst kids. Encouraging them to persevere and not give up when something goes wrong the first time. There have been four season's of the show with the last one airing in 2023, it has not officially been cancelled by Netflix so hopefully more episodes are on the way. 

Lyla In The Loop

A PBS kid's production, Lyla In The Loop debuted last year on the network. It features a 7 year old girl named Lyla and her sidekick pet Stu, although no one really knows what kind of animal Stu is. Along with her family, Lyla and Stu navigate the life of a 7 year old in the city. Using critical thinking skills and her imagination, she innocently get's into mischief while also brainstorming her way out. Becoming a problem solver for those around her. Season 1 recently ended, so let's hope that season 2 is not far behind.

Karma's World

Another Netflix show that debuted in 2021, this one receives a lot of airtime in my house. Karma's World follows middle schooler Karma Grant who learns she has a skill of making good music. She also learns all the good music can bring to the world, while simultaneously learning about herself and gaining confidence. One of her song's Proud Of My Hair is quite infectious, you hear it and will be singing it to yourself for some days. While the show hasn't had any new episodes since 2022, hopefully new ones are being developed, in the meantime there is plenty of Karma's merchandise available in stores (trust me I know).

My Dad The Bounty Hunter

Netflix is really leading the pack here with cartoons featuring Black led characters. For kid's who love a good sci-fi adventure, this one is for them. My Dad The Bounty Hunter features brother and sister Sean and Lisa, while they are half earthlings they think their father is a typical boring dad. Until they accidentally catch a ride to one of his missions and find out he is a well known Bounty Hunter chasing down criminals of all species within the galaxy. It has some comedy and kid appropriate action scenes, as well as showing a loving Black family.

It debuted in 2023 and has 2 seasons before being cancelled by the streaming service. Which is a shame but there are still 19 episodes you can watch on repeat over and over again. 

Ariel

Based off the 2023 version of Ariel from Disney's Little Mermaid starring Hailey Bailey. This cartoon debuted on Disney Jr. last summer, and follows the misadventures of Ariel alongside her pals Sebastian and Flounder. Learning about the undersea life outside of her kingdom, and life lessons on how to treat other's and herself. It truly is just an updated version of the story for a new generation and hasn't changed much about the lore.

However if kid's today enjoyed the original Little Mermaid and the live-action remake, they will enjoy this one. While it has not been officially renewed by disney, I'm sure it will soon.