It’s rare to see a Black woman starring in a video game, let alone a teenage Black girl. But little by little we’ve seen these girls make for some kick-azz cartoon characters. So, why aren’t there more Black girls in video games too?
For ages, mothers have tried to instill in their daughters that they can be anything they want to be:
Girls can do anything boys can!
Today, African American women stand proudly in America, knowing that the Vice President of the United States looks like them. Queen Kamala Harris is not only the first African American VP, but she’s also the first woman to hold that title. And let’s not forget Condoleezza Rice, the first female African-American Secretary of State, and our beloved First Lady Michelle Obama, just to name a few. With all our contributions to society, we hold a very special place in American history.
Politics aside, that’s definitely something for young Black girls of today to be proud of, now and forever!
5 Black Girl Cartoon Characters That Rocked Pop Culture
Black girls in mainstream cartoons are rare, but when they do make an appearance, they attract their own dedicated audiences who eagerly anticipate their return, even when they’re not the ‘stars’ of the show.
Here are five Black girl cartoon characters who prove they are destined for stardom. This observation applies not only to TV characters but also to movies and video games:
1. Jodie from Daria
Young Jodie Landon is a brilliant, gorgeous sistah who’s sick and tired of being the token Black girl all the time. She’s 100% focused on her college future, which is why she’s a pretty unpopular loner at her high school. Her friends look up to her, even with her witty, sarcastic humor.
Jodie is known for giving phenomenal advice and she’s the one to call when you’re in a sticky situation. Everything she does is all about her family, friends and the Black community.
In 2019, it was announced that there would be a spinoff. Jodie would feature the high school teen as the protagonist of her own series. Comedy Central ordered the series in June 2020, announcing that it would take place right after she graduated and entered the job scene.
However, things went silent, more than likely because of COVID. That was, until May 2022, when Variety reported that Jodie would be a feature film instead. Nothing else has been announced since then.
2. Miranda from As Told By Ginger
Mean Girl Miranda Killagallen can be icy cold and blunt, but she’s really just misunderstood. Brought up in a strict environment, she’s known for her pessimistic attitude, sarcastic jabs and her world-class ‘finger snap,’ which is usually right on time.
Fans get to see Miranda transform on the series, from a blatant bully side-character to the kind, open-minded star in the show.
3. Trixie from American Dragon Jake Long
Best friend Trixie Carter is a sassy, outgoing New York City native trying to survive middle school. She’s a loving tomboy, with passion for skateboarding and keeping the ‘Magical Community’ safe.
Trixie is an only child to her US Air Force pilot father and her mother, an airline employee. Although she comes from money, a rarity for Black characters, her parents are rarely around. So, she’s basically being raised by her grandmother.
The tween Black girl is also an outstanding cheerleader and acrobatic. And she loves biology. Her dream is to someday become a doctor.
She takes on the motherly role around her friends, who often call her “Mama Trixie.” And true to her Black upbringing, her tagline is:
“Ain’t no than, but a chicken wang!”
Trixie Carter
4. Susie from Rugrats and All Grown Up
Susanna Yvonne Carmichael AKA Susie may be just a toddler, but she’s the true epitome of Black excellence. And as far as she’s concerned, white society is out to diminish her superiority. She may not be the star of the show, but she’s definitely the antagonist’s worst nightmare.
Susie is the bully’s bully on the show, protecting the other toddlers from the villains evil deeds. Because of this, they all look up to her and follow her lead. The child is a gifted dancer and singer and knows 10 different foreign languages.
She’s brilliant, just like her parents, and a selfless little Black girl known for standing up for what’s right. Her hairstyles vary from time to time, but she always stays true to her natural- hair queen attitude.
5. Libby Folfax from Jimmy Neutron
This little pre-teen Black girl cartoon character is a mega powerhouse in more ways than one. She’s related to Queen Hasabataslapya, making her Black royalty. The young tween knows how to dance, and loves R&B, funk and Hip Hop music.
Libby also has interests in digital gadgets and fashion. She’s literally a genius and takes school very seriously. We get to watch her fall for a nerd named Sheen. They form a bond that grows into puppy love, while building a truly adorable, innocent pre-teen relationship.
Also known as Laid Back Libby, she’s the voice of reason in class. But she tends to follow her best friend, Cindy. However, she will check Cindy when necessary. She also has a voice so strong and high-pitched that it can shatter glass and make dogs run away crying.
Libby is one of the show’s main characters. Although she never gets to play the star, she does become more and more important to the show over time.
Black Women in Video Games
Black female protagonists have been featured in video games since at least 1999. That’s when we were introduced to the heroine D’Arci Stern in Urban Chaos. However, when it comes to AAA blockbusters, Black girls and women rarely take on leading roles.
Even among the Black girl cartoon characters mentioned above, only ONE went on to star in her own TV show, and that was Miranda from ‘As Told By Ginger.’ It’s worth noting that discussions have been ongoing for Jodie from ‘Daria,’ but nothing has been released to this day.
Unfortunately, the situation isn’t much better for young Black girls in video games.
we need more Black Girl characters in gaming
since NPD Group, now known as Circana, launched its Top 10 Best-Selling Video Games in the US in 1995, not one Black female lead has made the list.
Yes, some say that 2003’s Enter The Matrix did it with the character Niobe. However, as you know, she was actually one of TWO primary characters… not THE star of the show.
With an increasing number of young Black girls and teenagers playing video games, it’s high time to change this narrative. Gamers of Color deserve to see themselves represented as main characters and heroines in games, just like their male counterparts.
The best way to achieve this is by promoting the growth of Black women game developers and asset designers. Only we can create the characters and storylines that truly matter to our young girls.
Is Game Development a Good Career for Black Women?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2021 Median Pay for Software Developers, for example, was $120,730 per year. And about 411,400 jobs are predicted to enter the market by 2031, that’s a 25% increase in jobs.
Yet only 2% of the industry are developers of color. One can only guess how many of those professionals are Black women in this multi-BILLION-dollar landscape.
So, where do we go from here? We need more women from the Black community to step into game development for our kids. The only individuals who can create storylines, characters, and gaming soundtracks that our kids can truly appreciate, benefit from, and trust are us.
Join the Polycaik Community for Aspiring Black Game Creators
We all know how important representation is and the power of stereotypes can have on our community. Give your child not only a way to develop universal critical thinking skills but also an opportunity to make an impact in shaping tomorrow’s perceptions today.
Polycaik is game development software specifically designed to help people, traditionally ignored by the game industry, create their own video games.
The platform focuses on providing features that help address many of the challenges people in our community face, whether it be a lack of knowledge, support, or funding. We are dedicated to launching quality games for, by and about us.
Enroll in our course offering to learn everything there is to know about how to use the Polycaik platform. Also, receive updates on product launches, features, and game industry information, as well as opportunities for your youngster to take some of the financial burden off of you.
Get exclusive access to the Polycaik community, a network of developers, creatives, and gamers looking to build and promote digital games rich in Black content.
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