The HBCU Network has interviewed several HBCU alumni who are blazing trails as entrepreneurs in various industries.  We first spoke to Hampton University alum Yaba Baker in July 2001, and then again in September 2003 to witness the growth of his children's media company, Just Like Me, Inc. (formerly DBW, Inc. named after his grandmother, Daisy Bell Williams).  Just Like Me, Inc.'s mission is to teach every child, especially African American children, about the great heritage and contributions of Africans and African Americans, and the beauty of the African American race. Just Like Me, Inc. (JLM) started as a successful personalized book franchise and was then as a publisher of Just Like Me coloring book series.  In September of last year, we learned how Yaba's business has leaped off the pages of books and right to the television and "big screen."  With a steadily growing company that now includes several part-time employees to manage sales and marketing, customer care, and distribution, JLM Inc. is certainly on its way to fulfilling its mission to the benefit of the Black community.

Most of us have a young daughter, son, sister, brother, niece, or nephew who is affected daily by media images that do not portray our community in the most positive light. Through the quality books, television, and film projects that Yaba and the JLM team are spearheading, we have an opportunity to support a children's media company that is centered around US.  Read on to learn about the exciting developments for Just Like Me, Inc. over the past year! Note: If you've missed our previous interviews with Yaba Baker (July 2001, September 2003), be sure to check them out!

Yaba Baker: 
We received a lot of exposure after the event. We were actually contacted by 40 Acres and Mule Filmworks [Spike Lee's production company] about the "Princess Briana" script. The release form they wanted me to sign left open too many holes for copyright infringement. So we didn't do that, but the most important thing the Hollywood Black Film Festival gave us was creditability. There are a lot of bad scripts out there and our script getting 2nd runner-up out of hundreds of scripts from around the world let people know that we put out a quality product.

The HBCU Network: 
So for people like me who are totally unfamiliar with TV and film production, can you explain in simple terms what it takes to produce an animated series? 

Yaba Baker: 
Well, to try to describe the lengthy process is hard to do in short form, but here it is in nutshell -- start with a script, create a budget for the animated series, develop a business plan for the series, character development, design the look of each character, gain financing to produce the project, hire staff (animation producer, director, etc.), and then get to work to produce the series. That is really the short short version of how it all works.

The HBCU Network: 
It definitely sounds like an arduous process...what has been the most challenging part?

Yaba Baker:
If you talk to anyone who is producing an independent movie or project, [he or she will tell you] it is getting to the right people who have financial backing to get the project done. It can be a great product, but if you never get to the right people who can back it, it will never be completed.

The HBCU Network: 
Absolutely. So where do you go to find the "right people"? Are these individual investors, large companies?

Yaba Baker:
That is the 1 million dollar question. You look everywhere to find them - believe it or not, most investors come from word of mouth. Investing large sums of money comes down to trust. Does the investor really trust you enough to lend you the money? If you have been referred by someone the investor trusts, your chances increase dramatically. The way I do it is to ask people who believe in the project to refer people who might be interested in investing in the biggest animation project since "Finding Nemo".

The HBCU Network:
That's a great teaser line for investors!  So what is your plan for obtaining financing? Clearly this is a critical stage for your projects.

Yaba Baker: 
The reason why Hollywood hasn't produced Black animation film or TV series other than "Static Shock" is simple -- they do not think people are interested enough to support these types of projects. There are two ways to prove that there is market for Black animation: 1 - Build a fan base.  We are asking everyone to go to http://www.justlikemebooks.com/onlinesurvey.htm and fill out our 1 minute survey. If we collect 100,000 surveys we can prove there is buying market waiting for Black animation. This will make it easy for them to finance the project because to them 100,000 people waiting for a project to be produced is money in the bank.  2 - Build a customer base.  If we sell 100,000 "Princess Briana" books over the next two months we will not need financing from any one as we will have enough capital to produce the project in house. With both plans we need everyone in the Black community to support, so please spread the word to everyone you know, so our children will finally have Black superheroes, Black action heroes, Black Kings and Queens on the big screen as well as the small one.

The HBCU Network: 
Yaba, what specifically (or whom) inspired your storyline for "Princess Briana"?

Yaba Baker:
The idea just came to me. I wanted to create a Princess that represented Black women not just in physical appearance but also in the strong spirit they represent. When I look at every princess that has been created since Snow White, all of them were waiting for someone to save them....the white knight. I didn't know any Black women like that. Yes, Black women want a partner in their life, but none of the Black women I knew ever waited for someone to come save them. On the other side of the spectrum is Xena the warrior princess who is manly with almost no feminine attributes. I wanted to create a Princess that was strong but very much a woman and a lady. The result was "Princess Briana" the Movie. The book is a prequel to the movie. Princess Briana is 5 years younger in the book. The idea for the book came to me one day when I got sick of the same super skinny, long hair, and air brushed image of women that the media is trying to sell young girls on as the only perception of beauty. Princess Briana represents true beauty. True beauty is learning to love yourself with positives and imperfections together as God created you.

The HBCU Network: What a powerful message, and even more so coming from the perspective of a Black man.  The "Princess Briana" book definitely sounds like a great gift idea for a daughter, niece, cousin, or friend! What is the target age group for the book? Yaba Baker:   The book is targeted for toddlers to girls as old as nine years old. As toddlers parents can read the book to them as a bedtime story instilling self-confidence through reeading at an early age. Girls a little older can read the book on their own and finally have a princess who looks like them. The HBCU Network: Well, I know that I will be purchasing a copy! I'm sure there will be plenty of HBCU Network members who are interested in purchasing a copy as well. Can you tell us how we can order? Yaba Baker: You can order a copy online.  In fact, as a special holiday treat for the HBCU Network members we will offer a 15% discount. All you have to do is go to http://www.justlikemebooks.com/hbcu.htm and order your copy today.  But don't wait to order!! Princess Briana will sell out - we will post a message on the web site once all the books are gone, but until then please spread the word about "Princess Briana". All books are shipped FEDEX ground (1 - 4 days).

The HBCU Network:
Great!  So there is still time to buy copies before the holidays!  And we certainly do appreciate the discount provided for the HBCU Network community.  Are there any parting words that you would like to share with us? 

Yaba Baker: 
Yes.  Thank you to everyone at HBCU Network for all your support and prayers. And every little bit helps -- if you just buy one "Princess Briana" book and/or take the short 1 minute survey, it puts us one step closer to finally creating strong positive Black characters in every form of children's media including books, half-hour cartoon shows, and full length animated movies.

The HBCU Network: 
We wish you the best in your endeavors and look forward to speaking with you again! Thanks so much for your time and have a wonderful holiday!

Yaba Baker:  
Thank you so much! Take care!