This exhibition celebrates the legacy of the first wave of positive Black animated characters of the 1970s.

Until the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s and 60s, African-Americans were treated as second-class citizens. While prevalent in music and popular culture, Blacks still faced extreme political, economic and social prejudices. In comics and animation, Blacks were largely ignored or were depicted in broad, derogatory stereotypes. But as laws and attitudes began to shift, the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1970s became a direct conduit of social change, introducing a host of new Black characters. For the first time, audiences were exposed to positive, relatable images of Black life through animated series like "Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids", "The Jackson 5ive", "Josie & The Pussycats", "I Am The Greatest", "The Harlem Globetrotters" and "Star Trek: The Animated Series".

"Funky Turns Forty" presents a retrospective of original production cels and drawings from this turning point in cartoon history where Black and White animators created positive Black characters and Black-centric stories for all to enjoy. For more information, call (412) 232-0199.

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