Rising Stars: Meet Robb Armstrong

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robb Armstrong.

Hi Robb, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I have always loved cartooning. My earliest memories are filled with sketches of “Snoopy” and “Charlie Brown” going back to pre-school! I created comics for my high school newspaper, The Shipley Beacon as a teenager. When I was attending Shipley, my life began to change. It was a private school that was not only 98% white but mostly girls! My mother, Dorothy Armstrong worked hard as a seamstress to get me enrolled in private school, believing it would be good for me to broaden my horizons and participate in better art classes. Shipley also removed me, in many ways, from some of the harsh realities of growing up in the inner city. 

By the age of 11, one of my brothers (Billy Armstrong) had been killed in a subway accident, and my other brother, Mark had been the victim of police brutality. Both these incidents resulted in excruciating legal cases that consumed my mother, who was single. We won the case against the transit authority (SEPTA) but lost the fight against the racist Mayor of Philadelphia, Frank Rizzo, and his brutal police force. 

Traveling back and forth to private school shielded me from much of that, but Shipley was extremely challenging for me. I felt like I had gone from 6th grade in public school to COLLEGE! 

It was jarring, and I had lazy habits. I repeated 7th grade at that school, but I honestly felt like it helped me figure out life. When I graduated Shipley, I was more mature than my younger classmates, and I needed that maturity. My mother was diagnosed with incurable cancer (multiple myeloma). She died during my freshman year at Syracuse University. Grief-stricken, I created a comic strip for my college newspaper called, “Hector”. This was huge for me. I consider it my “big break”. I didn’t get paid for doing the strip, but I eventually became Art Director of the newspaper, The Daily Orange. This elevated my standing and was my introduction to the professional world in many ways. I felt my goals coming into focus. I graduated from Syracuse University in 1985 and became an Art Director at an Ad Agency. It was an exciting time because I worked on billboards, magazine ads, and even some TV commercials! It also allowed me to work in a creative environment where I could develop my comic strip submissions to syndicate executives. 

It is difficult to get syndicated, and I struggled to come up with an idea they liked. After four years of rejection, I came up with something that clicked. In 1989, my comic strip, JumpStart, was created and syndicated with United Feature Syndicate. It was launched on October 2 that year in 40 newspapers, and today runs in 700 newspapers. 

A compilation of my work is newly published in a treasury collection called “On A Roll! A 30-Year Collection of JumpStart“. 

CBS recently filmed a live-action sitcom pilot based on my strip. 

I have also written and sold my first screenplay to AppleTVplus. 

“Welcome Home Franklin” is streaming right now! It is based on “Franklin Armstrong“ (my namesake) in the cast of Charles Schulz’ iconic “PEANUTS “. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Losing my mom at such a young age (she died at 49 when I was 19) it was brutal, but I had the love and support of family and friends. It was not a smooth journey, but it was steady. I never doubted myself despite all the rejection that comes with trying to get syndicated. I always tried to keep improving and being self-critical in a healthy way. Shortly after signing my deal with United Feature Syndicate, I met my idol, Charles Schulz. Peanuts and JumpStart shared the same syndicate, and I had much in common with Schulz! He had a fondness for me especially my work. He said that JumpStart had what Peanuts has: great characters. He said,” Robb, great characters…that’s the whole thing!” In 1994, he gave his Black character, Franklin, my last name! It was more than an honor…it was life-changing. Though it took time, it led to the opportunity in 2021 to co-write “Welcome Home Franklin” with his son, Craig Schulz, his grandson Bryan Schulz, and Neil Uliano. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe that all professionals in the creative arts share something called passion. We would do it for free. That love and appreciation for having talent keeps the dream alive during the period of rejection. It also stokes the fire of wanting badly to contribute something to the world. I felt I had something good to offer people. I’ve felt that way since I was little. I still feel that way! I’ve had the opportunity to share my talents in many ways other than just cartooning. I am a professional public speaker, and I have an honorary doctorate because of that (Holy Family University, 2012). I also act and produce. I even directed a TV commercial for Verizon in 2021! 

I feel that a person with vision and drive can accomplish almost anything, but it requires faith and fearlessness. The world puts up walls, and doors seem locked sometimes. I believe in being willing to keep pressing. Keep improving. You can surprise yourself if you simply never ever quit! 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The newspaper business seems to be losing ground to digital media. It’s been going that way for a long time, but somehow papers are hanging in there! I try to do other things so that I have options and opportunities in TV and film. Those industries seem more promising going forward. There are also opportunities in social media, which I intend to try to take advantage of, as well. My website, robbarmstrong.com, is doing well. I’m also the spokesman for a youth program called National Police Athletic League (PAL). It is a terrific program the brings police and youth together to forge a positive relationship. Truly, it’s the best way to deal with tough issues. It cultivates a positive relationship, which improves things overall! 

I am also active in philanthropy. I am partnered with PEANUTS Worldwide in a scholarship program for HBCUs called “The Armstrong Project.” We give scholarships and internships to students at Howard University and Hampton University. The scholars receive $ 10,000 each and both schools have endowments of $100,000 each. 

Contact Info:

• Website: robbarmstrong.com
• Instagram: @robbtarmstrong
• Facebook: Robb Armstrong
• Youtube: Robb Armstrong channel