BLACK SPECULATIVE FICTION MONTH SPOTLIGHT #12

TODAY’S BLACK SPECULATIVE FICTION MONTH SPOTLIGHT IS JIBA MOLEI ANDERSON!

Jiba Molei Anderson

Jiba Molei Anderson was born in the city of Detroit, MI on August 17, 1972. The son of Liberian mother and and African American father from the Motor City. He was the product of two environments that were similar, but too different for him to fit comfortably into either world. The four-color world was where Jiba found his solace. His father introduced him to the world of speculative fiction and opened the doors of his imagination. Jiba’s desire took him first to the University of Michigan where he obtained his BFA in Illustration and Photography.

He soon traveled to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where he completed his studies earning an MFA in Visual Communications. Jiba paid his dues. He also walked the corporate route working for companies such as DraftFCB, KBA Marketing, Manga Entertainment, Ryan Partnership and Landmark Sign Group. Jiba worked creating websites for companies like On The Street Promotions, ICEE Records, Oopala Fortifying Shampoo and others.

In 1999, he formed Griot Enterprises, a publishing company / creative studio and created its flagship property, The Horsemen.

The first Horsemen volume, Divine Intervention was released in 2002 to critical acclaim with The Horsemen: The Book of Olorun released in 2009. Jiba has also written the educational text Manifesto: The Tao of Jiba Molei Anderson, which focuses on the creation of comics. In addition, he was Lead Writer and Art Director on the graphic novel Hip Hop Chronicles for Spacedog Entertainment in partnership with Universal Music Group.

Jiba is currently working as lead artist/ art director on Taletown, an independent Facebook game for Tuxedoman Entertainment and completed the animated music video, Start A Fight, for the rock band The Ex-Senators. He currently, as Adjunct Faculty at the International Academy of Design and Technology teaching courses in Animation, Game Design and Fashion Design. Recently, He was an Associate Professor at the Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg, teaching courses in Animation and Video Game Design. Jiba has also been featured in the book Black Comix and spoken at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art with his book, The Horsemen, being included in The Smithsonian’s permanent library. Jiba’s work is defined by pop culture. From Alphonse Mucha to Frank Frazetta, from comic books and animation to “Grindhouse” films, these “low-brow” creations sparked my imagination. Their bold and shameless design and marketing aesthetic inspire the way that he creates images and brings his message to the masses…and according to him, they are a lot of fun!

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Check out his website @: http://www.griotenterprises.com

also,

http://www.behance.net/jazintellect

PUBLISHED WORKS:

• The Horsemen: Divine Intervention – Griot Enterprises

• The Horsemen: Book of Olorun – Griot Enterprises

• Manifesto: The Tao of Jiba Molei Anderson – Griot Enterprises

• High Concept – Griot Enterprises/ The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg

• Even More Fund Comics – Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

• JBD: The Devil’s Due (with LaMorris Richmond) – B.L.A.M. Comics/Griot Enterprises

• The Holy Bible: Dignity & Divinity (with Walter D Greason) – Griot Enterprises