I served as a cultural consultant to ensure the show’s portrayal of Ariel, King Triton, and their family reflected authentic and respectful representation of a Black family in a fantastical Caribbean-inspired setting.

My work included:

• Providing specific design feedback on Ariel’s character, with a focus on the tone and shade of her lip color to avoid stylization pitfalls often seen in animated depictions of Black characters

• Reviewing multiple scripts as a sensitivity reader from the perspective of a Black woman, offering feedback on dialogue, character interactions, and cultural cues

• Consulting on family dynamics to ensure King Triton’s relationship with Ariel authentically reflected Black fatherhood and a loving Black family unit

• Helping guide visual and narrative decisions so that the characters and world felt both aspirational and culturally grounded for young audiences

• This consulting role contributed to shaping Ariel into a show that celebrates joy, pride, and imagination while offering meaningful representation for Black children and families.