Black Sands Entertainment began in 2016, founded by Manuel Godoy, Geiszel Godoy, and Teunis De Raat. Their mission was simple yet powerful: to share the stories of Black history and ancient African kingdoms through comics and animations.
The company’s products stand out by celebrating underrepresented narratives. They offer young readers fresh perspectives on their heritage.
In January 2022, the founders took their vision to Season 13, Episode 13 of Shark Tank. They sought $500,000 in exchange for 5% equity to scale their business. During their pitch, they showcased a thriving company with $800,000 in sales for the year.
They also shared plans to adapt their comic series into animations. While some Sharks were cautious about the comic book market, Kevin Hart and Mark Cuban recognized its potential. They offered $500,000 for 30% equity, and the deal was finalized.
After Shark Tank, Black Sands Entertainment gained significant momentum. They partnered with Kevin Hart’s production company, Hartbeat, to create animated adaptations of their comics.
The business grew, selling over 200,000 copies of their books. It also surpassed $2 million in lifetime sales.
The company joined events like New York Comic Con and teamed up with Composition Media. This partnership allowed them to produce an anime series and further expand their reach.
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What is Black Sands Entertainment?
After seeing a lot of “agenda-driven media coverage” of the black experience, Manuel decided to start his own company. Comics, graphic novels, chapter books, DVDs, and picture books are all published by Black Sands.
An ancient African kingdom and a young boy who will rule it in the future are the focus of the main storyline, titled The Second Kingdom.
Since its inception in 2016, the company has sold more than 200,000 units and is still going strong. As a result, they hope to build a significant brand that will be featured on networks like Nickelodeon all over the globe.
Who owns Black Sands?
Geiszel Godoy, his wife Manual Godoy, and Teunis De Raat are the company’s co-founders. Geiszel and Manuel have served in the military and are married.
Neither has a formal education in fashion design, but they both have a strong military background. De Raat has worked in the animation industry for over two decades at companies such as Disney and Pixar.
Considering their ownership stake in Black Sands Entertainment and the company’s valuation, each founder’s estimated net worth is approximately $650,000, assuming no significant debts or liabilities outside the business.
This estimate is logical based on the company’s growth, equity division, and market valuation.
Competitors of Black Sands
Some potential competitors of Black Sands Entertainments are Kauai Ocean Recreation, T&C Surf, Surf Wear Hawaii.com, Chromaco Inc, and Park West Gallery.