From November 4 through November 6, 2025, Charter Oak Boxing Academy students participating in Joe Young Studios and Productions’ animation program traveled to New York City as part of the production team for a powerful live action and animated public service announcement on immigration titled Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys.

As part of the creative and production staff, COBA students worked alongside award winning filmmaker Joe Young to help bring Kemet, the Time Traveling cartoon character, to life through a blend of animation, live action film, and historical storytelling. The PSA was filmed at iconic American landmarks including Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Harlem’s Apollo Theater, and Little Italy, allowing students to experience firsthand how history, culture, and storytelling intersect.

Event Details

Kemet: One Nation, Many Journeys guides viewers through the shared immigration stories that helped shape the United States. Through Kemet’s journey, young audiences are introduced to the experiences of Indigenous communities, Africans, and generations of immigrants who contributed to building the nation. By connecting past and present, the PSA highlights unity, compassion, and shared humanity, reinforcing the message that America is one nation shaped by many journeys.

The project was created in partnership with CAN DO, Inc., the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and youth from local community programs. Designed for schools, public television, cultural organizations, and educational campaigns, the PSA serves as a meaningful tool for classrooms and communities to engage in conversations about history, identity, and belonging.

Watch the PSA here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfbsU1uAXT0

Joe Young is nationally recognized for using art as a tool for empowerment, literacy, and community connection. A Guinness World Record holder for creating the World’s Longest Comic Strip, Young has engaged thousands of youth across Greater Hartford through large scale collaborative art projects that elevate youth voice and creativity. Central to his work is the CAN DO spirit, a philosophy rooted in building self esteem, encouraging positive decision making, and reinforcing the belief that young people can succeed regardless of circumstance. Through CAN DO IT programs, students learn to write comic scripts, develop animated characters, and tell their own stories through visual storytelling. Young also serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Bridgeport and Goodwin University, where he advocates for access to higher education and creative career pathways.

Commitment to Youth

At the heart of the KEMET universe is a commitment to illuminating Black history and heritage through engaging, age appropriate storytelling. KEMET uses vibrant illustrations and compelling narratives to introduce children to ancient Black civilizations, cultural identity, and global history in ways that spark curiosity and pride. The vision of KEMET is to ignite a cultural renaissance through storytelling that celebrates diversity, promotes unity, and empowers young people to see themselves as informed and engaged global citizens.

Through comics, educational resources, interactive workshops, and culturally inspired merchandise, KEMET combines education and creativity to inspire future generations and amplify voices that have long been overlooked.

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