Alleanna Harris

A black and white photo of Ormes.

Ormes at her drawing table.

Ormes with a Patty Jo doll.

Cartoonist Jackie Ormes, the first Black woman to create a comic strip that was nationally syndicated. Her strips included Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem, Torchy in Heartbeats & Patty-Jo ‘n’ Ginger. Patty Jo became a toy doll in the late 1940s.
#InternationalWomensDay
#InternationalWomensDay2026

For the first time, we now know how many Black-owned bookstores exist in the U.S. The National Association of Black Bookstores has released the “first comprehensive national report” on the state of America’s Black-owned bookstores.

There has never been an official, comprehensive record of Black-owned bookstores across the United States — until now

Found @alleannaharris.bsky.social and @tara-nicole.bsky.social illustrations in the wild. Local toy store in New Orleans.

Miles Caton and Buddy Guy did a #TinyDesk and it drops tomorrow! www.instagram.com/p/DVPET7UiWA...

James Baldwin Art Print / Black History Illustration This is a print of my illustration of James Baldwin, the novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic. His essays explored tensions and racial, sexual, and class distinctions in mid 20th ce...

My James Baldwin illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/jam...

In the blog post, I share links to two picture books, three interviews, one documentary, and one movie.

James Baldwin, one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of James Baldwin, one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. #blackhistorymonth

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Josephine Baker Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Josephine Baker. She was the first Black person to become a world famous entertainer and the first to star in a major motion picture. Originally from St. Louis, s...

My Josephine Baker illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/jos...

In the blog post, I share links to a movie, three live performances, one picture book, one interview, and the transcript of her speech at the March on Washington.

Josephine Baker, the world famous entertainer, WWII spy, and activist. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Josephine Baker, the world famous entertainer, WWII spy, and activist. #blackhistorymonth

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Marvin Gaye Art Print / Music Portrait This is a print of my illustration of Marvin Gaye's 1971 concept album What's Going On. This album is considered one of the greatest albums of the 20th century and one of the landmark recordings in po...

My Marvin Gaye illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/mar...

In the blog post, I share a link to a live performance from 1972, a short documentary, an isolated bass track, and a behind the scenes video.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Marvin Gaye from What’s Going On, one of the greatest albums of the 20th century and in pop music history. #blackhistorymonth

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Jane Bolin Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Jane Bolin. She was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School, join the NYC Bar Association, join the NYC Law Department, and serve as a judge in the...

My Jane Bolin illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/jan...

In the blog post, I share a link to a book detailing Jane Bolin’s life.

Jane Bolin, the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first Black woman judge in the United States. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Jane Bolin, the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and the first Black woman judge in the United States. #BHM

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Thank you so much! ☺️

Paul R. Williams Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Paul R. Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. He was an outstanding draftsman, and had the skill of rendering drawings upside ...

My Paul R. Williams illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/pau...

In the blog post, I share links to three videos one picture book about his legacy.

Paul R. Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Paul R. Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. #blackhistorymonth

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Marian Anderson Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Marian Anderson, whose 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial raised awareness of racial discrimination. She had been scheduled to sing at Washington's Constitu...

My Marian Anderson illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/mar...

In my blog post, I share links to a Marian Anderson documentary, two performances, and one game show appearance.

Marian Anderson, whose 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial raised awareness of racial discrimination. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Marian Anderson, whose 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial raised awareness of racial discrimination. #blackhistorymonth

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Toni Morrison, illustrated by Alleanna Harris

Audre Lorde, illustrated by Alleanna Harris

Happy birthday to Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde! ✨ (I had no idea that these legends had the same birthday. I illustrated these portraits last year for my friends at Love Your Magic in Boston. 💖) #blackhistorymonth

Matthew Henson Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Matthew Henson, the first African American Arctic explorer. Along with Robert Peary, Henson was a part of the small group considered to be the first to reach the ...

My Matthew Henson illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/mat...

In the blog post, I share links to two videos about Matthew Henson and one picture book.

Matthew Henson, the first Black Arctic explorer and a part of the small group considered to be the first to reach the geographic North Pole in 1909. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Matthew Henson, the first Black Arctic explorer and part of the group considered to be the first to reach the North Pole in 1909. #bhm

Here’s the link to my blog post, with a brief history, links and sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...

Henry Ossawa Tanner Illustration / Black History Art Print This is a print of my illustration of Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), the first Black painter to gain international acclaim. After self-study, he enrolled in 1878 at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine ...

My Henry Ossawa Tanner illustration is available as an art print here: shop.alleannaharris.com/products/hen...

In the blog post, I share links to two talks about the life and work of Tanner and a link to donate to the preservation of the Tanner House.

Henry Ossawa Tanner, the first Black painter to gain international acclaim for his depiction of landscapes and biblical themes. Illustration by Alleanna Harris.

BHM repost of the day! Here’s my illustration of Henry Ossawa Tanner, the first Black painter to gain international acclaim for his depiction of landscapes and biblical themes.

Here’s the link to my complete blog post, with a brief history, links & sources: blog.alleannaharris.com/black-histor...