The GATHERING - A Black Inventors Got Game Episode 1 - 2022 TAGIE WINNER Game Changer of the Year Award

The GATHERING is the first of a three-part episodic documentary series that tells of how legendary Black toy and game inventors come together for the first time in Washington D.C. for a historic occasion - to share their secrets to succeeding in an industry that all but overlooks them. Panelists share poignant advice on overcoming racism and rejection while engaging in lively discussions on mentorship, diversity, inclusion, and equity in the toy and game industry. Presented with endearing childhood reenactments, The GATHERING offers advice on parenting a curious-minded child and provides audiences with valuable lessons in endurance, overcoming barriers, and believing in self.

Once the smoke had cleared from a near-disastrous attempt to make rocket fuel on his mom’s kitchen stove, a young Lonnie Johnson would have his first bout with the invention bug, be it a failed one. His epic rise to stardom as one of the country’s foremost toy designers is revealed against a backdrop of uncertainty, failure, and prejudice and royalty denial. Lonnie’s story along with three other amazing African American inventors is told for the very first time. BIGG is a documentary that tells the untold story of how six African American designers have made groundbreaking inroads into the toy and game industry.

The Toy and game industry is a 33-billion-dollar industry. Each year, this industry produces millions of products for people all over the world to enjoy. It employs more than 50,000 workers to fill roles from designing to manufacturing to assembling and packaging. In the creative space, the industry employs more than 5,000 designers and creatives, of which black product designers account for less than 1% of this number. Historically, the contributions and significance of Black inventors and designers of the Toy and Game industry have remained sequestered and pretty much gone unnoticed. Black designers have performed in the hallowed shadows of many legendary white inventors with silent voices. But sequestered no more, now has come the time to tell their stories and recognize the tremendous groundbreaking contributions that numerous black designers and inventors have made in this ever-flourishing industry.