Do you believe in "Community DNA?" I do. Let me explain as we examine day two of Black History month and as we quickly review some of the material found in our upcoming book, Delta Music and Film: Jefferson County and the Lowlands (due out April 6, 2015.) Community DNA is when an area can produce people over time with unique skills which are similar. In much the same way individuals can produce children with skills because of DNA, so, too, can communities. A case in point is found in the Delta Lowlands region in Pine Bluff, AR. In 1872, Henry Jackson Lewis (first picture-self portrait) moved to Pine Bluff and became the first African American political cartoonist in the nation. He worked out of Pine Bluff for almost twenty years and was so good that the nation's only national black newspaper at the time, the Indianapolis Freedman, hired him to be their national cartoonist. Fast forward 100 years later. Thomas Vaughns (second picture) moved to Pine Bluff with his family from the Marianna area around 1972. Vaughns enrolled at UAPB with an interest in art, particularly cartoon illustrations. After graduating, Vaughns took his talents to great heights. He has directed network children's cartoons like, Animaniacs, Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks and others. He has also produced and or illustrated for the The Pink Panther, 101 Dalmations, Dumb and Dumber along with a host of other programs. He won an Emmy for his direction of Steven Speilberg presents: Tiny Toons Adventures. He also won an Annie (the highest honor given in animation) for his direction of The Adventures of Brer Rabbit with voice characterizations by Wanda Sykes, Danny Glover, D. L. Hugely,Wayne Brady and Nick Cannon. Now is "Community DNA" more clear?" Happy Black History month, y'all!
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