Stalwart listeners of Afronerd Radio should be preternaturally aware that there are a number of annual events that we actively promote and laud over like school age children anxious about an upcoming field trip. Brooklyn's Afropunk which starts up every August typifies one of these vaunted events. And, of course, the New York Comic Con is another one. But, low and behold, there is actually one more event that continues to embolden our intellectual and "afronerdic" interests and that is Harlem's (NY) own Black Comic Book Festival being held at the very epicenter of Black consciousness-The Schomburg Center for Black Research and Culture. Thankfully, the third annual "Black Comic Con," scheduled for January 17, 2015, will host a literal cavalcade of artists, writers and patrons that represent a growing and sorely underappreciated faction of Black geekdom that are virtually invisible to mainstream pop culture corporate entities and decision makers. Here's an excerpt from a New York Daily News piece relating to last year's festival:
Black comic book artists and their characters are often overlooked in the white-male dominated industry, said artist and professor John Jennings, who along with graphic artists Jerry Craft and Jonathan Gayles, organized the event.“It’s really important for everyone to see themselves as protagonists and in all fabrics of a character,” said Jennings. “If you don’t see yourself as a hero or as a main character you think you can’t be that.” The festival is a continuation of Black Comic Book Day, which was previously held at Harlem’s Hue-man Bookstore, which closed in 2012. Last year’s premiere installation drew 1,200 people — double the number that registered. This year, 1,300 registered, and the organizers expect many more to attend.
Click on the link below to register for this wondrous event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-black-comic-book-festival-registration-14901687348
And speaking of last year's festivities, check out some video footage thanks to the good folks at Youtube:
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