As Angelfish continues to grow and expand, I’m constantly amazed at what the universe brings me. What initially started as an animated series (“Little Stories, Big Echoes”), Dawn and I have since created LSBE Productions. LSBE is rooted in storytelling, culture, music and animation with offerings of animated series and now an animation and tech workshop. We launched our first workshop this June with the incredible organization, Son of a Saint. Based in New Orleans, Son of a Saint provides mentorship and ‘a lifeline’ to fatherless boys. The organization has been a pillar of the community for the past 15 years, so we are beyond grateful for the occasion to partner with them.
Our goal over the course of seven days was to introduce boys, ages 10 – 14, to the tools and tech of storytelling thru animation. They had the opportunity to be led by an incredible slate of mentors, including James “IMAKEMADBEATS” Dukes and Saxton Moore. Each boy was able to develop a character and storyline to then use various software, including FlipaClip, to animate their story.
We were able to witness firsthand as each participant became the hero of his own story. To say we were moved by what we witnessed is an understatement. And we were overjoyed to provide access to something not easily available.
A big, BIG thank you to our mentors, our partners and our sponsors. You all have been incredible, and we truly could not have produced the workshop without you.
CBA Studios + Chaz Bottoms
Saxton Moore Productions + Underscore Animation
UNAPOLOGETIC + IMAKEMADBEATS
Son of a Saint, we thank you for your trust and willingness to build together. We can’t wait to see what the boys continue to create!
For more information, please check out our Announcements and Press Release below. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any interest in building a similar workshop for your organization. We look forward to partnering with you!
Announcements:
Fox 8 New Orleans’ Kristi Coleman interview with Dawn
LSBE x Son of a Saint Social Message
Press Release:
Official Program Messaging
Little Stories, Big Echoes x Son of a Saint Animation & Storytelling Workshop is a youth-centered creative initiative focused on storytelling, animation, music, and emotional expression for young Black boys in New Orleans ages 10–14. Through hands-on mentorship from professional artists, animators, musicians, and creatives, participants will learn how to transform personal stories into visual and sonic narratives.
The workshop is designed to inspire confidence, creativity, collaboration, and self-expression while introducing mentees to accessible pathways in animation, music production, and storytelling. The program will culminate in a final showcase and presentation of student-created work.
The initiative is led by Dawn Richard and Chris Hartley of LSBE Productions centering New Orleans culture, youth empowerment, and innovative creative education.
About LSBE Productions
LSBE Productions (Little Stories, Big Echoes) is a multidisciplinary creative production company founded by Dawn Richard and creative producer Chris Hartley. Rooted in storytelling, culture, music, and animation, LSBE develops original projects that amplify underrepresented voices through innovative visual and sonic experiences.
Born from a passion for blending art with social impact, LSBE Productions focuses on projects that center Black storytelling, New Orleans culture, youth empowerment, environmental justice, and imaginative world-building. The company merges animation, music composition, film, live performance, and immersive creative direction to create emotionally resonant stories that connect across generations.
LSBE Productions has developed award-recognized animated works including Beads of Hope, an animated short highlighting New Orleans youth and Hurricane Katrina’s cultural impact, which has received recognition from festivals including the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, Afro Animation Summit, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and Seattle International Film Festival.
With backgrounds spanning music, television, animation, and creative consulting — including collaborations connected to Adult Swim and major music platforms, LSBE Productions is committed to creating transformative educational programs, cinematic storytelling, and culturally driven creative experiences that inspire the next generation of artists and storytellers.
Leadership Bios
Dawn Richard
Recording artist, visual storyteller, creative director, and founder of LSBE Productions. Dawn has over a decade of experience bridging music, animation, visual storytelling, and mentorship initiatives. She currently mentors students through the USC Thornton School of Music and has worked extensively in creative development with Adult Swim. Through LSBE Productions, Dawn develops culturally driven stories that center Black creativity, New Orleans culture, and innovative youth engagement.
Chris Hartley
Creative producer, animation collaborator, and Dawn Richard’s partner in LSBE Productions. Chris Hartley is affiliated with Adult Swim and Angelfish Productions, bringing years of experience in production, visual storytelling, and creative development. Her work focuses on blending narrative storytelling with innovative animation and multimedia experiences that engage young creatives in transformative ways.
