Blerdcon 2021: FUBU…Forever? Saturday Edition - Panels and GOATS
Damon John
A few years ago, a fashion designer by the name of Daymond John created a fashion brand called FUBU (For Us By Us). To date, that clothing company has earned over $6 billion in sales. Additionally, his clothing is considered to be one of the most famous brands in Black pop culture with his blood, sweat, tears, and fabric being featured in one of the most famous museums of all time; the Nation Museum of African American History and Culture.
Because of Daymond John, he created an urban streetwear brand and laid the foundation for many other streetwear apparel companies for many up and coming Black designers and creators.
FUBU Commercial by gotti-d
Don Cornelius
The historical television show Soul Train was created by famous television producer, Don Cornelius. His approach to producing one of the greatest shows on earth was created on account that there weren’t enough television venues that showcased soul music. His work led to the creation, inspiration and comeuppance of many artists in the R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop scene. Don’s legacy landed him, too, in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
With Don Cornelius, his creativity laid the foundation for bringing Black music to the masses and provided a lane for future television shows, showcasing the best and brightest in the Black music industry.
Blerdcon 2021: Hilton George Checking Emails and Messages
For 2021, there is another Black pioneer who is creating a lane for Black pop culture; Hilton George. His creation, the world famous Blerdcon has encompassed both a FUBU mentality and incorporated the stylings of Soul Train, with comic books, video games, manga, anime, movies, and so much more added into the mix. Furthermore, the event he’s created (which has been going strong for the last 4 years), is a testimony to Black Love, Black Positivity, Black Power, and Black culture as he has created an convention that embraces all levels of the Blerd Diaspora.
In essence, I feel Hilton’s all-star event is a strong recommendation as to why he needs to be featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He’s a trendsetter, visionary, and pioneer and I finally had the chance to attend “Chocolate City’s” event for 2021, four years later to back up my suggestion. Housed at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Virginia, I had the privilege of going to some panels, meeting with some Black pioneers in the Blerd industry and explore what it’s like to be a Blerd in one of the safest Blerd spaces in comic con history.
Blerdcon 2021 Walkthrough
Safety, Security and Badges
Blerdcon 2021: The Face Mask Badge
Blerdcon’s security measures were not only on point, they were iconic. Prior to entering the con, you had to show your ID and your vaccination card (VC). I was very impressed by this as they said, ‘no ID/VC no entry’ discreetly to the incoming crowd. They were well-organized as they ensured the event didn’t become filled with viral case loads. For example, one patron trying to enter the venue said, ‘I don’t have my id’, but presented the crew with a birth certificate as a substitute, and a vaccination card, with no picture ID.
I don’t think she made it past check-in.
Golden Wristband
For badges, rather than the typical hard plastic with the microchip; to prevent cross contamination and to reduce touching, patrons were presented with a very colorful facemask indicating the type of ticket purchased and they also received a color-coded armband as well, with instructions to not take it off, no matter what. For me, I purchased a full weekend badge and received a golden plated armband with directions to only take it off when the convention ended. Very impressive. Overall, this was a masked-up event for vaccinated people and let me tell you, it was highly enforced.
Panels: Blerdmom 101 and Cosplay Your Way
Blerdcon’s panels were some of the most thought provoking, highly informative, interactive panels, I’ve ever been too. The content was dedicated to the Blerd Diaspora with various topics ranging from “Disversity – Is Disney doing enough to Diversify Star Wars and the MCU?” To “G[r]eeks GO Geek” – Blerds who Step” to “WOKE” is Broke: Checklist Inclusiveness and Hollywood Virtue Signaling Eroding Television and Film”. The panels were a testament to the ongoing struggles and issues affecting Blerds in pop culture and I applaud that each one of these panels was a testament to creating safe spaces for ongoing discussion.
Blerdmom 101
Blerdmom 101 Presenters (L - R): Baroness Bree, Yinka Olu and Sabrina Mapp,
I’ve never seen anything like it. A panel consisting of Blerdmoms; Baroness Bree, Sabrina Mapp, and Yinka Olu, in an audience filled with Blerd parents, and mothers and fathers who expressed a need for trying to understand how to raise their Blerd children in a safe space and how to handle the realities and policies of growing up in 2021.
Blerdmom 101 was a safe space in which parents of Blerd kids and Blerd parents themselves, had an intimate discussion on the do’s and don’ts of Blerd parenting, the issues of raising Blerd kids, and the future dynamic of Blerd families. Because of the intimacy of the discussion and the fragility of the space, I can’t discuss what was said, however I will say that Baroness Bree and the panel did recommend alternative forms of discipling Blerd kids, such as Mindcraft destruction (1/4 to 1/2 of the civilization), challenging them online in various video games (GTA V and Forza) and beating them online in a show of dominance.
Cosplayer: Baroness Bree
“Black people are not a monolith”, Blerd Parenting is a complex dynamic because the Blerd Diaspora is this ecosystem that encompasses multiple People Of Color (POC) who like movies, technology, manga, anime, comics, video games and a host of other additional subcategories. For some, its collective, for others they are separate. One child may have an affinity for just anime, while another could have a love for comics or manga. Parenting of this magnitude requires a different Blerd skill every time. Very insightful and thankful for this panel.
Cosplay Your Way
My next event led me to the world of Cosplay through the eyes of Barr Fox, CEO of Cosplay Your Way based in Atlanta, Georgia. His origin story is phenomenal as he created a lane for POC to have a creative outlet to express themselves.
Barr Foxx
Barr Foxx’s creation came from a creative need for people to express themselves through cosplay. After discovering (as he puts it) “there were more aliens in comics than melaninated people”, his work is a genuine testament to the growing Blerd culture, a true mantra of the phrase REPRESENTATION MATTERS. His documentary, Cosplay Your Way: CosNoir was played at the panel, and I highly recommend (for those who haven’t seen it) that you watch it.
As Cosplay Your Way’s, Andrew Michael Phillips says, “Find somebody that you relate to and embody that character…its cosplay, not cosperfect…and bring you’re “A” game. Adulting can sometimes be stressful and a handful. With Cosplay Your Way, the company offers people an opportunity to express themselves by “being a kid again” (if only for a moment).
Barr Fox is a legend as his work in the realm of cosplay continues to inspire countless POCs to just be themselves and to “color outside the lines” as they become their favorite characters in the form of supervillains, superheroes, anime characters or any character they so desire.
Wishing him the best in this space and future endeavors.
GOATS in the Blerd Space.
Blerdcon, also brought out some of the best and brightest in the cosplay scene. I had a chance to interview some of the greats In Blerd cosplay and I was very impressed by their passion and how they approached the Blerd space safely and confidently. These kings and queens of the diaspora was awesome to speak with.
The Amazing Roxxy Haze aka Childish Roxxino (RH).
Joseph Watkins (JW): What got you interested in Pop Culture?
RH: Since I was little, I just really loved video games, I’ve always watched anime, and I think the first anime I remember watching was Speed Racer…
JW: Oh Wow!!
RH: Yeah….so you know its [my love] old…
RH: It’s always been something that’s fun for me, like, something that me and my brother share….
JW: Heard you wrote a book? Can you tell us a little bit about the book?
RH: The Noir…..The Noir is the New Black [Fairsquare Comics]. Yeah, I actually got to be part of an anthology. It was with all Black writers, all Black artists, um, that came out in February and they’re releasing another version soon and I’m working on my own book which will be out next year.
JW: Is there any advice you would like to give to up and coming Black female writers?, comedians?, cosplayers?
Roxy Haze as Fiona from Adventure Time
RH: I’m a say, one of the things is just be yourself, don’t feel like you have to conform to what everybody else is doing. Do. Be true to yourself and resonate with people and they can relate to it, but not only that, do whatever makes you happy, be happy in that thing and keep going. Like people are not going to fuck with it at first, but eventually, ‘Can I curse”?.
JW: Yeah
RH: People aren’t going to fuck with it at first. It’s very rare that people just pop off in the beginning. Sometimes it takes a while, but just keep going. Be consistent and do what you love.
JW: Thank you
RH: Thank yooou!!
Roxxy Haze is a gem. Beautiful, focused and determined, she is building her brand in so many ways and on so many platforms. Peace and Blessings to this wonderful soul.
The Sensational Otaku Nurse: NurseJBecky aka “J. LaRae”.
One of the most famous Blerd Otaku Nurses in social media. Nurse J Becky (NJB) is a cosplayer who is loved, admired, and praised by all. A humble spirit, she has a positive energy that is both infectious and lovable. I’ve seen her on multiple platforms, and she would be considered, in the cosplay community, as the Goddess Oshun; The Black Aphrodite. Brains and Beauty, she can actually save your life while bringing a smile to your face.
JW: Ms. Becky, can I say Ms. Becky?
NJB: Well my model name is J. Larae, but my social media name is NurseJBecky.
JW: Ok, Ms. NurseJBecky
NJB: Yes
JW: What got you into pop culture?
NJB: Well, I’m a fan of anime and my dad, he was the first person to put me on, when I was like really little, like Gundam Wing and Thundercats. Sailor Moon was like my all-time favorite, but I always like playing dress-up and then when I found cosplay, I was like; ‘oh my god, this is combining my love of anime and my love of dressing up’ .
JW: You’ve been to the west coast and back, what advice do you have for up-and-coming cosplayers?
NJB: Just be yourself and don’t be afraid to do your best, even with cosplay. I mean, to each his own, but if you want to look really good, you know, just put the time in, if you’re going to make your costume, just make sure you set time aside to be able to make it and don’t be concerned about what people may think, you know? Be true to you and just have fun, overall.
J. Larae, in her Pokemon “NursecJoy” inspired outfit was simply a pleasure to speak with. Her love for anime has created for her a spectacular brand and a cult-like following. While some cosplayers create their personas to imprint their images in the brains of their fans, her cosplay leaves an image in our hearts. Before I left, I asked her, out of curiosity what was her favorite video game; her response; ‘Street Fighter 3: Championship Edition’.
Absolutely Love it.
BLERD OVER, LLC
My last interview led me to the creative world of a phenomenal person. CEO, Visionary, Black Cosplayer, Micah (M).
JW: What was the reasoning, thoughts, and creative genius behind, Blerd Over?
M: As you can see, how we are right now….
JW: Yes
M: We don’t get this too often for African Americans and us going to our ‘more popular, white’ conventions, it’s not enough representation in this community. So I brought it upon myself…. being a member of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity Incorporated, our motto; ‘Culture for Service, Service for Humanity’; I wanted to do something for the people, for my brothers and sisters, who had interests in anime, manga, video games, cosplay, of color and get them seen more…..
M: …How they do the white cosplayers, there are Black cosplayers…that do it more, and ten times better and they don’t get recognized in the media because of their skin color.
M: So, I started it to change the algorithm of this whole [entity] like, ‘Black people can’t go out and have a good time’ and also ‘enjoy each other’s company’ and we can do everything in this community as well. So why not give us a shot and why not look at us and feature us in your magazines or in the news?
He’s correct. The cosplay space, for years, has been very reserved to predominately white cosplayers, mainly because of the color of their skin and various expressions on how they don’t resonate with the ‘cosplay market’. With issues from skin tone to appropriate character expression, numerous articles have been reported and posted on how African Americans have been demonized, excluded from photo shoots, and ridiculed for portraying their favorite characters. Micah’s platform, Blerd Over is a fantastic representation of why platforms like his need to exist; to showcase the Blerd Diaspora in all its forms.
There were many cosplayers, I could only interview a few… There were so many greats, but due to my schedule, I was limited. Blerdcon bought in some phenomenal people…
Closing Remarks:
On July 17th, 2021, I attended Blerdcon 2021 because I wanted to see an event that was FUBU. It took me five years to come here and as I finally touched down to this amazing event, I realized that this was more than a con, this was a family reunion. It was nice to come home as I saw my brothers, sisters, cousins, aunties and uncles portray some of pop culture’s most iconic characters in anime, manga, comics, movies, and video games in the Blerd Diaspora.
The Blerd Diaspora; which consists of the gamers, the cosplayers, the comic book enthusiasts, the movie goers, Blerd moms, Blerd dads, grandparents, the married, the divorced, the PS players, the Xbox players, the health care workers, the comedians, the college graduates, the high schoolers, the introverts, the extroverts, I could go on. Blerdcon’s space, in my opinion, was the X-mansion; housing, if for a weekend, the gifted and the brightest in Blerd Culture and even though this space was limiting (vaccinated only), many attended and loved it.
I enjoyed and learned so much from the gifted here, I sincerely hope that our own Professor X, Hilton George, continues to keep this event alive for years to come.
Hilton George, we welcome you as the newest inductee into African American History and Black Pop Culture.
BLERCON: F.U.B.U….Forever.
(This is part 1 of a 2 part series)
