An artist from Ivory Coast, Adja Mariam Soro, is transforming the world of children’s media by creating cartoon characters that celebrate African culture and culture.
Named a Top 20 Hero in the 2021 Africa Business Heroes competition, Adja was inspired by her own experiences growing up watching cartoons where none of the characters resembled her or her culture.
She noticed the same trend as a mother when her daughter began idolizing Western cartoon characters, longing to look like them.
Determined to fill this representation gap, Adja launched her own publishing house dedicated to African children’s animation.
Through her characters, like the vibrant and culturally rich Aziz and Annie, Adja brings African stories to life, showcasing relatable African lives and traditions.
“I want every kid to be proud of who she or he is,” Adja says, highlighting her commitment to fostering pride and self-love in African children by reflecting their unique identities on screen.
Her work has become a movement, changing how young African audiences see themselves in the media and inspiring future generations to embrace their roots with pride.
As Adja continues to push boundaries in animation, she is ensuring that African children grow up with heroes who look like them and celebrate their heritage.
