Disney Junior Shorts on Race, Racism & Social Justice

Disney Junior has ordered the new animated short series Rise Up, Sing Out, presenting concepts around race, racism and social justice for the youngest viewers.

The series consists of music-based shorts that are designed to provide an inspiring and empowering message about noticing and celebrating differences and providing a framework for conversation. The shorts will feature music by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots, who are executive producing through their Two One Five Entertainment production company alongside Latoya Raveneau (The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder).

The Conscious Kid, an organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth, is consulting on the series and will develop a viewing companion guide for parents.

Rise Up, Sing Out is produced in collaboration with Academy Award-winning animation studio Lion Forge Animation (Hair Love) for Disney Junior.

Joe D’Ambrosia, senior VP of original programming and general manager at Disney Junior, said, “We recognize that many kids are experiencing a multitude of feelings around what’s happening in our world today and know that many families are struggling with how to discuss sensitive issues around race. Our goal with these shorts is to open up the conversation and provide families with the tools and knowledge to address these important topics with their preschoolers in an age-appropriate manner through music and relatable kid experiences.”

In a joint statement, Thompson and Trotter said, “It is an honor to work with the Disney Junior team to help create a series of shorts that will empower and uplift the future generations in the way we know best, through music. We hope these shorts will encourage the young audience to recognize and celebrate our differences as human beings while learning the tools to navigate real-world issues of racial injustice.”