And God stepped out on space,
And He looked around and said,
“I’m lonely--
I’ll make me a world.”
The famous opening of James Weldon Johnson's "The Creation" is surely been one of the most famous and significant literary adapations of scripture in American history. Imagined by Johnson as "a Negro Sermon" and published in a collection titled "God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse" (1927), the work was accompanied by and visualized by the stunning Harlem Renaissance illustrations of Aaron Douglas.
Now, as we approach the 100th anniversary of its original book publication, the Creation Poem Project is adapting "The Creation" into a 9-minute animated film and 100-page graphic novel, celebrating the intersection of Black American spiritual tradition, Civil Rights history, and the Genesis creation narrative.
Releasing in 2027 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Johnson's groundbreaking work, this project honors and extends a vital cultural legacy. Johnson's vivid reimagining of Genesis as a Black Gospel sermon provides both our narrative foundation and cultural touchstone.
The animation style draws inspiration from Aaron Johnson's original 1927 illustrations, while incorporating contemporary digital and experimental techniques. Spoken word performance preserves Johnson's powerful language with the rhythmic cadence of a traditional Black Gospel Sermon, complemented by an original score blending gospel, jazz, and orchestral elements. The graphic novel will expand upon the film's visual language, creating an accessible entry point for diverse audiences.
A key figure of the Harlem Renaissance and a major American poet, Johnson created work that speaks to both the specific Black American experience and universal human themes of creation, dignity, and divine relationship. This centennial project reintroduces his masterwork to contemporary audiences, fostering cross-cultural dialogue while celebrating the enduring beauty of Black American spiritual and literary traditions.
The project is directed by storyteller, animator, and educator J. Stephan Leeper, founding professor of the Animation Program at Central Michigan University. At CMU, he teaches classes in stop motion/traditional media animation, storytelling, and animated filmmaking.
Steve has produced award-winning short films using stop-motion puppets, pixilation, digital cut-outs and drawn animation. He started his career as a freelance animator and model-maker in Chicago while leading workshops for the Chicago Children's International Film Festival. Steve went on to Big Idea Productions where he led the 3D Layout team contributing to many videos including Jonah: a VeggieTales Movie. You can see examples of his personal and commercial work at his website.
Join the Inkling Folk Fellowship as we welcome Steve Leeper and his Creation Film Project this week. One further thing. This is a community event. We are not a closed society. Please, please, please, invite your friends, your family, your students, your teachers, your preachers, your creatures.
See you Friday.
- Joe Martyn Ricke
