Karyn Parsons, also known as Hillary Banks, is currently seeking funding for the upcoming animated short, “The Janet Collins Story”. Janet Collins is the first African-American soloist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. The project will be released by Parsons’ company Sweet Blackberry and narrated by Chris Rock.

Sweet Blackberry, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by Parsons, with the goal of bringing little-known stories of notable African-Americans to African-American children through various forms of media.

Sweet Blackberry’s mission is to share stories that empower and instill a sense of pride in children. Previous films by Sweet Blackberry have received the prestigious Parent’s Choice Award and Learning Magazine’s Teacher’s Choice Awards, among others. They were narrated by noted actors Alfre Woodard and Queen Latifah. Both films showed on HBO and HBO Family and have been distributed to libraries and schools all over the world and have made a difference!

The organization’s latest project is a short film on the first black Prima Ballerina, Janet Collins.

Janet Collins was a remarkable woman who overcame incredible obstacles to become the first African American soloist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera! When only 15 years old, the talented Janet Collins was asked by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo to join their company on the condition that she perform in whiteface!

She declined and later became a celebrated Prima Ballerina at a time when this was unheard of. She also won awards for her dancing on Broadway including the 1950 title of Best Dancer on Broadway.

Janet Collins set the stage for an explosion of African American dancers for years to come, paving the way for companies like Alvin Ailey and the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Sweet Blackberry is currently seeking funding to bring the story of Janet Collins to young children of color through animation. Support this project on Kickstarter.