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Author: Robert Liu-Trujillo

Black is Beautiful 2026 – Paul Robeson

I painted this brother because although I’ve heard his name I didnt know who he was. A writer named Howard Bryant put out a book about him and Jackie Robinson and that made me want to look him up!

Paul was born in 1898 in Princeton , NJ. He was the son of a freed slave (his dad) and was raised by him. He grew up strong in the church, playing sports, and very smart. At 17 he got a scholarship to Rutgers University in New Jersey where he studied and played college football, becoming an All American award winning player twice. He went on to play ball and attend Columbia University where he earned a law degree! Facing racism he decided not to go into law but started working in theater eventually making his way onto Broadway for several plays and becoming an actor and singer in film starring in movies. It is said that he was one of the first Black superstar’s because of this and his ability to sing with his deep baritone voice.

But, he left Hollywood because there were not enough substantial , non stereotypical roles for him. He went to the UK and while working internationally learned about struggles in Europe, Africa, and Asia by working class folks and people who were marginalized. He related that back to the struggle of Black folks and other people of color in the US and began speaking out. Paul spoke in favor of workers rights, against segregation and lynching, he denounced facism and apartheid, etc. And because of this and his support for communist China, Russia, and anti colonialist African movements, they blacklisted him, harrassed him, and took away his fame, passport, and ability to work. Paul would come back to performing later in life but struggle with depression, suicide, financial troubles, and drugs. He died in Philadelphia in 1976.

But many remember him for the folk songs he sang, his words and actions of protest, and his expressions of great solidarity between Black people, Jewish folks, the Japanese during WW2, workers in Wales, Mexico, learning and speaking 12+ languages, starring in 13 films, recording 6 albums, and inspiring younger artists and activists.

Sources: Black Past, Toronto Int’l Film Fest, IMDB, Quboz, Wikipedia

Dig this? Check out the Combahee River Collective, Nelson Vails,

February 20, 2026
in Black is Beautiful, General
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Black Joy Parade 2026

Hey Fam, I’ll be at this year’s Black Joy Parade! Its been a few years since I was there and I’m excited to be back. I will have books, prints, and stickers. If you’re there come say hello! If you’ve never been, there is an actual parade at noon on the day of the event Sunday February 22nd. There are also performances, games, activities for kids, story times, tons of vendors, food, drinks, etc.

More information about the event here

Dig this? Check out my table set up from SJ Made 2024.

February 16, 2026
in Events
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Black Is Beautiful 2026 – Combahee River Collective

This is a crew of bad ass women who’s statements echo today and whose voices are still strong. The Combahee River Collective (1974-1980) is a crew, clique, or family founded by Black women out in the Boston area. They are Black, they are women, Queer, and Radical in their politics. “The name”Combahee” refers to the river in South Carolina that Harriet Tubman used to free over 700 enslaved Black folks. In the 60s and 70s we had a lot of movements for civil rights, independence, and social change happening but in separate silos. Meaning some knew their issue, but not others. So, these sisters came from different groups and formed their own. They wrote a statement that gave analysis to movements happening and how they “connected”. This definition was ground breaking back then and is still used by scholars, students, and activists today. Before the term intersectionality, there was Combahee. Celebrating , not ignoring their many identities and helping folks get that oppression is coming for all of us so we better stand with each other, rather than apart. As a group these women who were activists, artists, teachers, writers, etc worked on campaigns to support abortion rights, they stood against sterilization, against domestic violence and attacks against women, they stood up for their Queer and trans family, they were anti-war, anti establishment, and they advocated for solidarity between people fighting oppression. Members included: Gloria Akasha-Hill, Cheryl Clarke, Demita Frazier, Audre Lorde, Chirlane McCray, Margo Okazawa-Rey, Sharon Page-Ritchie, Beverly and Barbara Smith, Helen Stewart, and Mercedes Tompkins.

Why is this important? There are some folks within the Black Power, Feminist, Queer rights, or Social justice movement who pretend like one of the others ain’t shit. You may have seen it. But, I think some would agree, we’re stronger together (w/ hard discussions & principled struggle or disagreements). That means letting go of a lot of EGO and petty shit.

Sources: Black Women Radicals, Democracy Now, BLK History in 2 minutes or so, Wikipedia

Dig this? Check out my piece on Olive Morris, Claudia Jones, or Margaret Sloan.

February 13, 2026
in Black is Beautiful, Educational Resources, General, Ilustration
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Brown Bookshelf feature!

This is a full circle moment. I started trying to get into the children’s book world around 2007/2008. Back then there were very few resources about Black folks or people of color in the biz that I knew of. And The Brown Bookshelf is one of the earliest resources I found! It was raft in a sea of formalities, stereotypes, nepotism, and plain old racism. Thank god for The Brown Bookshelf! Fast forward 15 or 16 years later and I’m featured as one of this year’s 28 storytellers! I am so honored.!!! BIG shout out to Nikki Shannon Smith for the props!

Read what I wrote here and check out some of the other creators. You have no idea how hard it is for these folks to get to where they are.

Dig this? Check out this podcast I was a guest on – Early Risers (Minneapolis Public Radio)

February 8, 2026
in Press & Interviews
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Black Is Beautiful 2026 – Freedom House Ambulance

Its been three years since I did one of these for Black History Month! From 2016-2023 I drew and painted so many people, places, and groups from Black history that we dont hear enough about. And here’s one more:

The Freedom House Ambulance service was founded in 1967 in Pittsburg, PA by Phil Hallen (former ambulance driver) and Dr Peter Safar (Pioneering Dr @ Univ of Pittsburgh) in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, a predominantly Black neighborhood. EMT, Paramedics, and modern ambulances in the US owe a great deal to the Black men and women of Freedom House Ambulance. Around this time there were no ambulances for most working class folks in big cities, you called the police and they threw you in the back of a cop car or a police wagon. Being that there was rampant police brutality, profiling, harassment, and murder at the hands of police there was a contentious relationship when it came to emergency medical service. The majority of officers had no medical training and Black folks were at their wim when it came to being “sick enough” to warrant emergency medical services. As a result so many died from treatable things.

Enter Freedom House, a community based organization that got funding to not only create a hood based ambulance service, but to hire Black men; many of which were unemployed, did not graduate college, or had been in the system. Pioneering Dr Safar and several others gave them 12 months of medical training learning anatomy, physiology, resuscitation, etc. In addition to hundreds of hours in classroom settings , they spent time in the emergency and operating rooms, as well as the morgue before hitting the streets. And when they hit the streets they responded to six thousand calls in the first year or 16 emergency calls daily. Coming from the neighborhoods they were serving they understood when people were having a medical emergency relating to overdose, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, etc. In fact they were among the first paramedics to pioneer techniques using narcan for overdose, electric shock for heart attacks, intubating patients, CPR, and IV‘s. They were a mobile emergency hospital because they stabilized patients, saving thousands of lives.

Fast forward to the mid 70s, word got around that wealthier more white neighborhoods were not receiving the same level of expertise; the mayor and white establishment got jealous; and they intentionally pulled funding and support for the program. The city began randomly testing Freedom House medics, ruling out anyone who had been locked up, and using them to train white EMT’s who got better promotions. Eventually everyone was pushed out and only a select few were able to find employment with the city. But their work went on to help save lives nationwide and is still being used today.

Sources: WQED Pittsburg, Film: Heroes on Call, Wikipedia, and Sage Journals

Dig this? Check out my piece about these medical professionals: Dr Muriel Petioni, Dr Dorothy Brown, or Alice Augusta Ball

February 6, 2026
in Black is Beautiful, Educational Resources, General, Ilustration
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Short story 37 – Trading comics

Xóchi had a tough day. It was the weekend of the super show but she couldn’t do all the fun stuff she normally did like eat cotton candy, have a cyber fighter battle with her cousins on their Nintendo switches, or eat extra spicy nachos during the hopping contest. Her job today was to study, polish tio Ramon’s car and make sure nobody went to the wrong space from the club. Luckily Star and Miguel brought comics, with the newest Alien Quinceñera she still got to have some fun.

Context: I love reading but I didn’t always love it. Rather than illustrate that pain, I wanted to paint a picture of a candid moment of three ordinary kids sitting together reading comics for fun on a lowrider at a show. During the summer of 2025 me and my family went to our first lowrider show together as a family.

What is this? This is a short story. They are a way for me to sharpen my skills, to play, and to stretch out by trying new ideas for stories. In 2010 they started off as a way to practice the format of picture books but I’m interested in other formats now too. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo and my most recent book is Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco published by Lee & Low Books.

Check out some of my past short stories worth checking out:

Dig this? Check out my first self published Art Book- 130 pages of sketches, paintings, characters, and more HERE

February 5, 2026
in General, Ilustration
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Recharge – Vinyl Sticker

New sticker for the new year. RECHARGE means reset, renew, rest if possible, refill your cup.

LINK to purchase

What are these? These are vinyl stickers I make for my own creative expression and enjoyment. I sell them at fairs, festivals, and online. People get them for themselves, loved ones, friends, colleagues, students, and teams.

Dig this? Check out this post featuring me setting up my table to sell things like this HERE

January 28, 2026
in Merch
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Character 186 – Animator revisited

In 2012 or so I found this facebook page that highlighted the careers and achievements of African Americans in animation. I did not understand just how large of a role they had played and continue to play because it is not highlighted enough. So that is where the character came from, I was thinking of a futuristic animated character. This week I wanted to practice and decided to redraw this character so thats what I did. On the left is 2013 version, and on the right is the version I completed today. I like seein the artistic growth and wonder how I will learn how to improve it even more in the future.

Original post with the 2013 character

What’s this? This is from a long series of character drawings, paintings, and doodles to stay loose. My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m an author/illustrator from the Bay Area and my most recent picture book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco” published by Lee & Low. Get it at your local public library or independent bookstore.

Dig this? Check out my last collage of characters from 2022-2024.

January 27, 2026
in Character Design
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New 2026 Branding

Just made some new branding. Not a huge shift but a subtle foot forward. I usually do this every two years but last year was whew!! So here we are with a new digital portrait. You’ll start seeing it here and there.

Here are some other ones from the past you can see:

Dig this? Check out this Post about using biz cards

January 23, 2026
in General
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