Many focus on Black history during Black history month, while others live and breathe Black history all the time.
London Ladd researches and studies African American culture and works to bring it to life through his art. You have probably seen his work many times and never known the man behind the brush.
“I want the colors to speak. The body language. The glimmer of the eye," says Ladd. “I'm extremely excited about the direction of where I am going. The projects that I am doing now. They feel much more a part of my heart.”
Ladd is a talented and widely published illustrator, whose works share the stories of Black history in more than a dozen publications, the most recent in collaboration with writer and activist James Baldwin.
“I am looking at his works, because it's part of what I'm doing up at Syracuse University with African American representation. People who were not a threat, they were just people who wanted to live a normal life and love the way they want to love,” says Ladd.
Now Ladd is sharing the story of his path and inspiration to contribute to the promotion of Black History for all ages.
“I predominantly paint African American themes. I’m fascinated by it. I am biracial. My mom is white, my dad is African American. I may be the sum of two parts, but I tend to view myself as an African American because that's what you see on the outside. The impact that African Americans have had in this nation, in the world, in anything - whether it's through just politics, music, invention, literature like James Baldwin - I think it's just fascinating” says Ladd.
Ladd’s fascination and inspiration creates various kinds of art as well as book genres, including famous murals and new books like "Black Gold," which will be published soon and tells a modern, positive story of the precious treasure of Black children.
Ladd attributes his success to the love and support of his mother and the serendipitous start with children's Black history books.
“How hard I work, how determined I am is to make sure that I honor her with this book. I can't take for granted what it is that I brought to this book and to the readers who can learn something from it, who can appreciate something, grow from it share with their families,” says Ladd. “Now it’s much more expressive because it comes from my heart.”
He hopes his work helps others to do the same.
“When you do something from the heart, it’s not work," says Ladd.
Ladd is a product of the Syracuse City School District, where he often visits as a speaker to encourage students to work toward their goals. Ladd's critically acclaimed children’s books include: "March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World," and "Frederick‘s Journey; The Life of Frederick Douglass," and numerous other titles.
His newest book, "Black Gold," will be on bookshelves this October.