Black cartoon characters like and more have shaped TV history. These characters have broken barriers, brought diverse stories to the screen, and inspired generations with strength, humour, and heart.

• These characters often challenged racial stereotypes by being multi-dimensional.

Black cartoon characters have played a huge role in bringing diversity, culture, and authentic representation to animated television. Here are the beloved black cartoon characters.

Huey Freeman is one of the beloved black cartoon characters with afro. He is the main character in The Boondocks, an animated series based on Aaron McGruder’s comic strip. The sharp, politically conscious 10-year-old is a self-proclaimed revolutionary with a cynical outlook on society and race in America.

Named after Huey P. Newton, one of the Black Panther Party's co-founders and leaders, Freeman is the show's narrator and moral compass. Regina King voices Huey.

Riley Freeman is one of the stubborn black boy cartoon characters. He’s a central character in the 2005 Adult Swim series The Boondocks. He’s the younger brother of Huey Freeman and the youngest grandson of Robert Freeman. The eight-year-old idolises and imitates gangsta culture. His nicknames include Riley Escobar, Young Reezy, and The Fundraiser.

Lucius Best, also known as Frozone, is one of the famous bald black cartoon characters. He's the main character in The Incredibles and Incredibles 2 and the deuteragonist in Mr. Incredible and Pals. He’s Mr. Incredible’s best friend and a trusted ally of the Parr family. Frozone can freeze moisture and generate ice. Samuel L. Jackson voices him.

Fat Albert was one of the first male black cartoon characters to have his own TV show. He was the leader of the Junkyard Gang in Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and was kind and morally upright.

The show portrayed Black children positively while tackling important social issues. Fat Albert helped to shape more authentic and respectful representations of black characters in animation.

Dr. Julius M. Hibbert is a recurring character on The Simpsons animated sitcom and Springfield's most famous doctor. He is friendly and cheerful but also somewhat greedy and lacks compassion, which adds a satirical edge to his role in the show.

Gabriella is a young mermaid and Ariel's best friend. She lives outside of Atlantica but visits frequently and shares Ariel's adventurous, curious nature. Gabriella is deaf and communicates using American Sign Language (ASL) with her friend Ollie, who is her interpreter. She can also lip-read.

Abigail "Abby" (Gilligan) Lincoln is known as Numbuh 5. She is the intelligent, laid-back second-in-command and skilled spy of Sector V in Codename: Kids Next Door.

As revealed in Operation: M.A.U.R.I.C.E., her journey as a KND operative began three years before the show. She was trained by her older sister, Cree (formerly Numbuh 11), and originally served alongside her sisters, Numbuh 8a and 8b, and Numbuh 9 in Sector V.

Wade Load, a young computer genius from Kim Possible, is a member of Kim’s team. He is intelligent, has technological prowess, and is the mastermind behind many advanced gadgets and systems that aid Kim on her missions. Among his top creations is the Kimmunicator, a device that keeps Kim connected and delivers updates while she moves.

Maxine "Max" Gibson was Terry McGinnis' friend and later a crucial ally in his role as the second Batman. Created for Batman Beyond, she was later integrated into the comics.

Susanna Yvonne "Susie" Carmichael is a supporting character in Rugrats and Angelica’s best friend. She lives across the street from the Pickles and stands out as Angelica’s opposite. Susie is always ready to help Tommy and his friends and often stands up to Angelica. In the spin-off All Grown Up, Susie discovers her passion for singing.

Gerald Martin Johanssen is the deuteragonist of Hey Arnold! and related media. He is Arnold’s loyal best friend and Phoebe’s boyfriend. Gerald plays a key role in the fourth-grade group as the resident storyteller. His vivid tales often spark the show’s urban legend episodes, sometimes delivered with flair as jazz poetry.

Cornelius C. Fillmore, voiced by Orlando Brown, is the main protagonist of Fillmore. The seventh grader at X Middle School is a member of the Safety Patrol. Fillmore's middle name remains a mystery throughout the series.

Once a notorious juvenile delinquent, his offences included chalk boosting, milk counterfeiting, and more. His life changed when Safety Patrol officer Wayne Liggit offered him a choice: detention or helping solve a case. Fillmore chose redemption and found his true calling.

Craig Williams is the main character of Craig of the Creek. The ten-year-old is creative and has an adventurous spirit. He lives with his parents, Duane and Nicole, his younger sister Jessica, and his older brother Bernard.

Craig is best friends with Kelsey and J.P., and the trio often explores the Creek together. Voiced by Philip Solomon, Craig appears in every episode of the series.

Tiana Diane Rogers is the main character of Disney's 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog. She’s a talented cook from New Orleans during the Jazz Age who dreams of opening her restaurant.

In a desperate attempt to achieve her goal, Tiana kisses a prince who has been turned into a frog by a voodoo witch doctor. In doing so, she becomes a victim of the curse and sets off on a magical journey through the bayou in search of a cure.

Lunella Lafaye Lafayette, also known as Moon Girl, is the brilliant 13-year-old heroine of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. She is the daughter of Adria and James Lafayette Jr. and granddaughter of Mimi and Pops Lafayette.

She’s intelligent (especially great in science and technology) and has stood out early, even winning a spelling bee in first grade. As the superhero Moon Girl, she uses her genius and gadgets to protect her community, teaming up with her friend, Devil Dinosaur.

April O'Neil is a fictional character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and the Turtles' first human ally. She debuted in the original Mirage comic series in 1984 as a skilled computer programmer.

Missy is a central character in the adult animated series Big Mouth. She’s known for her chatty nature and shy demeanour. Missy navigates adolescence with wide-eyed curiosity and awkward charm. In various storylines, she serves as Andrew's love interest. Comedian and author Jenny Slate originally voiced her.

Charlette "Suga Mama" Proud (née Towne) is among the funny black cartoon characters. She is a main character in Disney Channel’s The Proud Family franchise. She’s the bold, fun-loving grandmother of Penny, BeBe, and CeCe Proud and the spirited mother of Oscar and Bobby.

Suga Mama brings humour and heart to every episode. Whether showing off her Tae Bo moves or cheering on her favourite wrestling matches, she is as tough as she is lovable and never afraid to speak her mind.

Miles Gonzalo Morales is a superhero and the third major character to take on the Spider-Man mantle in Marvel Comics. The Brooklyn-born teenager of African-American and Afro–Puerto Rican heritage brings a fresh and diverse perspective to the iconic role. Still, he continues the legacy of heroism, responsibility, and courage that defines Spider-Man.

Victor Stone, better known as Cyborg, is one of the five main protagonists in Teen Titans Go. Enhanced with advanced cybernetic and powerful tech-based weaponry, he’s a high-energy, sometimes over-the-top, but always valuable part of the team. Khary Payton, who voiced Cyborg in the original Teen Titans series, also voices him in the comedic reboot.

Black cartoon characters entertain audiences, challenge norms, inspire change, and open doors for greater representation in animation. As animation continues to evolve, these characters remain powerful symbols of progress, resilience, and creativity.

Tuko.co.ke has published an article about iconic female cartoon duos who will never be forgotten. Top productions like Disney and Nickelodeon have created iconic female cartoon duos with polarising personalities that play off one another with comedic timing.

Typically, one cartoon character is usually wacky and bombastic, while the other is more reserved. So, who are the famous cartoon duos? Read this article for details.

Source: TUKO.co.ke