Renowned, actress, singer and Cover Girl model Queen Latifah tells the story of a young Garrett Morgan, the African-American inventor of the traffic signal and the gas mask, in "Garrett's Gift," the second in the Sweet Blackberry series of animated shorts for children. The release from Sweet Blackberry, an educational content company, is set for release in February 2008.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of such an important project," said Latifah.
Actress, Karyn Parsons, who wrote and produced Sweet Blackberry's first two productions, said she is excited and optimistic about Latifah's support of "Garrett's Gift."
"To have someone like her, who appeals to so many people, young and old, get on board, is a wonderful opportunity for 'Garrett's Gift' to reach a wide diverse audience. Though Sweet Blackberry's stories chronicle the accomplishments of little-known African Americans in history, it's important that these stories reach people of all races and ethnicities," she said.
"I can't thank her enough for lending her tremendous talent," Parsons added.
Parsons is probably best known for her role as Hilary Banks on the long-running NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," starring Will Smith. Today, Smith is Sweet Blackberry's sole investor. Parsons has also acted in such films as The Ladies Man and Mixing Nia, and alongside comedian Denis Leary in "The Job" on ABC. In 1996, she created, co-wrote and co-produced a sitcom on Fox called "Lush Life," and eventually starred in the program when it aired on FOX in 1999.
She has co-directed the short films Stromboli and Eye Spy and has recently completed her solo directing effort, one she also wrote and produced, entitled Jake and Lily.
Parsons lives with her husband and daughter in New York City. She continues to act, but says Sweet Blackberry has enabled her to give back not only to her own child but to children of color everywhere. She hopes to inspire young and old alike with Sweet Blackberry's stories of courage, fairness, faith and friendship.
Best known for playing opposite Will Smith as his snobby cousin Hilary Banks on television's long-running comedy series, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Parsons is now a partner and producer with Sweet Blackberry, a company created to educate children on the depth and diversity of their heritage through stories of lesser-known African-American achievers
In 2006, Sweet Blackberry released its first production, "The Journey of Henry Box Brown." The true story of a slave's brave and dangerous quest for freedom was narrated by four-time Emmy Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard, with illustrations by graphic artist Mark Page and music by Grammy-nominated artist Coati Mundi of Kid Creole & The Coconuts. "The Journey of Henry Box Brown" was honored with both a Parents' Choice award and a Kids First! Award.
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