I really enjoyed watching this film, the cast of characters, the writing, the story, and the sentiment which is true for any parent or guardian; but really resonant as a father of two myself. Its funny of course because its Kevin Hart, but its heartfelt too!
This is a great short film about the lives of 3 descendants of the Black Panther Party in Oakland, New York, and Chicago. These are the grown kids of some heavy hitters and have some very vulnerable and powerful words to share about their upbringing. With chapters all across the United States and many internationally, the Black Panther Party for Self Defense influenced activism all over the world and still scares the powers that be now. But that came at great sacrifice and as a child of movement parents, I know this one well. I’m happy to see this doc. Please watch it and share it.
Ok here is my first Inspiration board for 2025. A lot of this comes from last year but some of it is brand new. Alright, lets run it down, top to bottom, left to right.
Event:8th Annual Social Justice Children’s Book Fair I have co-organized for 8 years!Peep it!
Network: PBS or Public Broadcasting Service TV network puts out great shows, videos about educational and informative topics and I wish I could give them more money and resources! Watch!
Book: Ghost Roast is middle grade graphic novel about family, class, the supernatural, and history. Read it.
Music: The Long Kiss Goodnight is a newish LP by Rocky Rivera and Otayo Dubb (Hip hop). Listen!
Music:If You See Someone Stealing Food…No You Didn’t is a new LP by Bambu (Hip Hop). Listen!
Book: Our Little Kitchen is a great picture book by Jillian Tamaki about cooperation and community. Read it.
Art:Monica Trinidad made this incredible piece that sums up my feelings about people vs corporations.Peep it.
Art: This illustration is about story artist Paul Briggs whos an incredible illustrator. Check him out.
Book:Mexikid is a great all ages graphic novel by Pedro Martin about family, being bicultural, childhood, etc. Read it!
Film: We Like it Like That is a great doc about a musical sub genre born in NYC by Matthew Ramirez Warren. Watch it!
Music:Saw Emily King (Singer, songwriter, guitarist) play live and shes incredible soul music.Listen!
Podcast: The Light is a great show by photographer Brooke Anderson about movement artists and cultural workers.Listen!
Book:Swim Team is a great all ages graphic novel about growing up, appearances, history, and swimming by Johnnie Christmas.Read it.
Health: Yoga! Ive been practicing for almost 15 years now. I do it weekly and it helps stretch my mind and body. Learn more.
Film:Ultraman Rising is a really cute take on an old school Japanese character by Shannon Tindle.Watch it!
Podcast: Asian American History 101 is a great podcast about people, places, things, and events from AAPI history. Listen!
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more
What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments. Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.
I’m still not out of a funk of creativity and a dirth of inspiration but we keep going right? Here are some things I can share with you that caught my eye, ear, or heart. Some I’m sure you already know. Some I’d be happy to introduce you to.
Starting from top to bottom, left to right:
Devon Blow (Art)– Dev has been pumping out some critical and necessary art about genocide, war, social justice issues, and finding joy. Follow her here.
Self (Film) – This is an incredible stop motion/ cg animated short film by Searit Huluf about self love
Alexandra Gater (Interior design)– This is an interior decorator w/ a niche of helping those in small apartments make better use of their space with style.
Calida Rawles (Art)– Found Calida through Amy Sherald. Shes an incredible photorealistic painter who depicts Black folks relationships to water
BUSD (Community)- I attended several Berkeley School Board meetings re: Palestine, teachers who’ve been fired, trans and queer student rights, and ethnic studies
Story Sun Birds (Kid Lit/ activism)- This is a group of folks who work in kid lit who stood for a ceasfire in Palestine and who now are carving a path for an alternative kid lit space
Fights (Graphic Novel)– This is a great book by Joel Christian Gill who is a cartoonist and professor based in Virginia
Farah Audhali (Music) – Farah is a talented singer songwriter from the uk and i love this collab with Blue Lab Beats!
Butterly in the Sky (Film) – This is a great doc about the history of Reading Rainbow featuring interviews from the entire team behind it.
Belly (Music) – 96 Miles from Bethelhem is a dope EP by MC/Singer Belly in response to the genocide in Palestine
Vittoria Macioci(Art) – Love the illustrations of this Italian illustrator and comics artist
Microcosm (Podcast) – Been knowing about Microcosm for years but just started listening to their podcast about indy publishing and it is great!
James Shields (Art)-James’ watermelon couch is an incredible work of sociology, US history, narrative, and immersive art.
Ruha Benjamin (Speech)– I know of Ruha’s name but this speech she gave at an HBCU grad ceremony caught fire because it is so true!
Mackelmore (Music)– Man, was not expecting this bombshell of a song from Macklemore titled Hinds Hall, but I was so happy to hear his stance!
ABC’s of Lowriding (Book) – This kids book by Ricardo Cortez is a testament to lowriding culture and helps introduce it to a new generation
Did you miss the previous inspiration board? Here it is, plus a few more
What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments. Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.
This is a really inspiring documentary about “READING RAINBOW” featuring the creators of the incredible show that touched so many of us as youngins. PLEASE watch it, rent it, go see it in theaters, share it. It’s all about spreading the love of reading and learning. #readingrainbow#Documentary#ButterflyInTheSky
A few months ago I stumbled across this documentary. I thought I knew some things, but this not only confirmed them but shed light on lots of new injustices. For anyone who is interested in learning more please watch this full documentary here.
Hey fam, I hope you’re well. It has been a rough one for me lately but trying to hold on to it. Check out some of these things that have been dope to me recently. Keep going.
What’s this? This inspiration board is one of the ways I stay inspired and sane through all of life’s trials, and tribulations, work, etc. I’ve been making inspiration boards full of films, books, music, events, people, artists, movements, and more for over a decade. Do you have an inspiration board? Please share in the comments.Who am I? My name is Rob Liu-Trujillo and I’m an artist working in kid lit, public art, and other disciplines. Go to my website, or follow me on IG or YouTube. You can also cop my first art book here.
One to watch out for. A new doc by W. Kamau Bell ( Do the work, stand up, united Shades of America) . Its great to see some friends and folks in this trailer too.
Can’t wait to see this new series by Boots Riley (The Coup/ Sorry to Bother You). I left the theater going “what the fuck was that?” when I saw Sorry to Bother You. But I have to give him props because I love to see Black/ POC directors do some weird shit I wasn’t expecting. Not sure what to expect with “I’m a Virgo” starring Jharrel Jerome, Carmen Ejoho, and Mike Epps but I’m excited to see it!
If you didn’t see “Sorry to Bother You” check that out here and if you’re unfamiliar with the pen game of Boots Riley, I’d highly suggest listening to The Coup!