For decades, cartoonist Ray Billingsley has depicted Black family life in 'Curtis'
He got past obstacles in the industry to bring a mostly Black cast of characters to newspapers and digital platforms across the country.
Ray Billingsley's story is one of great tenacity and passion. A veteran cartoonist and comic artist, Billingsley is best known as the creator of the strip Curtis.
Debuting in 1988, Curtis was one of the first nationally syndicated comic strips to feature a mostly Black cast. Today, the strip is widely read in print and digital platforms. However, as a young Black cartoonist, Billingsley struggled to get the chance to portray his people through his work.
Billingsley got his start cartooning professionally in 1969 when he was only 12 years old, joining an industry that featured some of the greats.
"Charles Schulz and Mort Walker, Peter Bailey, Jules
