We had the good fortune of connecting with Trent Correy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trent, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When Rise Up Animation started, it was in a direct response to the murder of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matters movement and social unrest. The current Founders asked one simple question amongst each other “What can we do, in our industry to become alley’s and support the BIPOC community”. One simple question, lead to the idea of creating a platform that offered FREE industry advice, educational resources and feedback sessions to BIPOC individuals wanting to join the animation industry. Our goal was to pay it forward, and bring the Hollywood animation industry to Zoom screens around the world.

We quickly discovered that 100’s of working professionals from major animation studios such as Disney, Pixar, Sony, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Netflix and more, had the same mindset, and were seeking a platform to mentor and support BIPOC talent…and just like that, Rise Up Animation was born. There was a need for professional feedback and a want from our mentors to create a more diverse and inclusive industry.

All this to say, Rise Up Animation was less of a thought, and more of a response to the world around us and the passion of our industry to make a difference. Nearly two years later, we’re proud to be recognized as a non-profit 501(c)(3), supporting thousands of talented individuals from all corners of the earth. Rise Up Animation truly believes, that the future our the animation industry depends on more diverse and inclusive storytelling, and we’re thrilled to play a small role in the change.

What should our readers know about your business?
Rise Up Animation sets itself apart from other equally important initiatives in our industry by focusing on supporting the BIPOC community in three main areas. We provide one on one feedback sessions with an industry professional for one hour, we share educational resources amongst our participants and we highlight diverse voices on our platforms that include a range of social media outlets and our popular panel series on Youtube. Rise Up Animation is FREE for all of our participants, with the long term goal of diversifying the animation industry.

Rise Up Animation got to where we are today because of the passionate volunteers and industry involvement. Everyone involved believes that the future of our industry depends on more diverse and inclusive voices, thus Rise Up Animation was born. We never set out to create a business, Rise Up Animation was born out of passion, a need and a want, and now nearly two years later we are proud to call ourselves an official non-profit 501 c3 organization.

As working professionals, we’ve all had to learn how to run a business on the side, time management and absorbing countless lessons along the way. We’ve made mistakes, tried to be nimble, create new goals and continue moving forward. We want the world to know how proud we are of the Animation industry and that collectively, we can make a difference.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rise Up Animation would love to give a shout out to the animation industry and our volunteers/mentors as a whole. Thanks to this endeavor, we’ve had the opportunity to observe the mentorship, support, love and encouragement that makes us proud to be part of this incredible industry. Without these talented, generous and passionate individuals that work full time jobs, juggling everything from family life, to a global pandemic, and everything in between, they still find the time to pay it forward. Simply put, Rise Up Animation would not exist without this wonderful industry that is Animation!

Website: https://www.riseupanimation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseupanimation/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rise-up-animation/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/riseupanimation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rise-Up-Animation-111394517713539

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrpD2lrhekf8UKj1HJp3JA

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