Valentine Toya LeGrand
An Afrofuturist mini-series celebrating Haitian women heroes and the power to shape our own futures.
About the Project
Created by Wilna Julmiste Taylor, Valentine Toya LeGrand follows a Black Caribbean heroine whose power grows from her identity, emotional depth, and capacity to transform. Descended from Haitian royalty and a lineage of warriors, Valentine comes of age across three eras of her life, discovering that her greatest strength is the ability to choose who she becomes.
Blending action, history, and magical realism, the project is being developed as six 30-minute episodes and a companion comic in English and Haitian Kreyòl. Set in an Afrofuturist Haiti and United States, the story explores self-determination, mental health, empowerment, and belonging. The series centers emotionally grounded characters and conflict, inviting audiences to connect not only with Valentine’s extraordinary abilities, but with what she experiences, the choices she faces, and who she ultimately becomes.
The bilingual companion comic in English and Haitian Kreyòl extends the series beyond the screen, offering another entry point into Valentine’s world while expanding its reach across languages, generations, and geographies. Together, these elements create the foundation for a broader storytelling universe anchored by the limited series.
Areas of Focus
The Story
It’s 2080. The United States seems to have finally established a world free of racism. But this reality is in danger of being short-lived. A visible societal shift causes many citizens to fear a return to the race and culture wars of 2030. Three kids encounter the signs firsthand after witnessing a traumatic event.
They turn to a trusted family member and learn what really happened during the war—and how a Haitian Amazon warrior named Valentine Toya LeGrand helped end it, reshaping the history of the United States and Haiti. Through her story, they discover a legacy of courage, transformation, and the power to imagine a different future.
Explore the historical events and figures that inspired Valentine Toya LeGrand:
Why Valentine, Why Now
Valentine connects the lived experiences of young women in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora in the United States. At a time when displacement and uncertainty about immigration protections place pressure on families and communities, questions of identity, belonging, and control over one’s future carry particular urgency.
More than a hero, Valentine offers young women and girls a way to recognize their own strength, embrace their unique gifts, and imagine themselves as leaders in their homes and communities. Through adventure and relatable characters, the series invites audiences—particularly Black and Brown girls—to see themselves in stories of possibility and success defined on their own terms.
About the Short Film
The original experimental short film offers a window into the history and inspiration behind the project. An uncle draws on his nieces’ ideas for a comic book about Valentine, weaving aspects of their lives into her story. Blending historical fiction and Afrofuturism, the film introduces the themes of mental health and empowerment that the mini-series and companion comic will explore further.
Trailer
Recognition
At the International Black & Diversity Film Festival in Toronto, Valentine was nominated in the following categories for short films: Best Experimental and Best Animation. It won the award for Best Film Visual Effects.
Bring Valentine to the Screen
We are seeking support and strategic partners to bring the mini-series and companion comic to life. Get in touch to learn more about the project and how you can help.
Wilna Julmiste Taylor, MS
Creator, Valentine Toya LeGrand
Associate Director, UCLA Art & Global Health Center
Note: AI-generated concept art created for visualization purposes only. Character and world designs are preliminary and may change as the project develops.