15 TV And Movie Role Models For Young Black Girls
Hushpuppy, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Quvenzhane Wallis kicks off this list as Hushpuppy — filming in the role at the tender age of five years old. She went on to become the youngest actress to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance at the age of nine and a half.
In the adventure-filled film, Hushpuppy navigates her way through life with a big imagination (dealing with ice caps and frozen Aurochs), her hotheaded, fading father and her Bayou community as a nasty storm destroys their “Bathtub” homes. In the film, she finds courage and love as she navigates her way through these scary adventures — proving “she’s the man!”
This tale is more of “a child movie for adults” that children can still watch and can inspire young Black girls to face their fears and be courageous during periods of loss and discovery.
