BlerdCon '23 - Demetrius Holt - Blerd and Powerful
Dimetrius and Kauai
Hellspawned Cosplay aka Demetrius Holt, is a visionary, and Blerd entrepreneur. His mission within the Blerd Universe (BU) is to bolster Black owned pop culture conventions and empower Black nerds’ mental and emotional status within the internet space. Currently focusing on a few Black-owned comic cons:
his goal is to use his company, Blerd and Powerful, as a resource for Black comic con companies to thrive. This resource, as Mr. Holt states, focuses on “...knowing who is available in what city and finding out who knows who.” I respect his vision and concept and share the same perspective. A Blerd collective in which members of the Blerd community can advise major companies about the Blerd diaspora and uplift the Blerd community simultaneously?
I respect that.
Working in partnership with co-founder, director and writer, Tim Pisani, they are working to form a collective of individuals who hold extensive knowledge about different cities and have strong connections within the Blerd community. They will serve as advisors to major companies, providing insight into the Blerd diaspora and working toward the uplifting of the Blerd community as a whole.
Holt and Pisani believe that by becoming an auxiliary system that complements and enhances Black Comic-Cons, they can attract individuals with financial resources who understand the positive impact these conventions have on the culture, community, and Black-owned businesses:
Demetrius Holt
“If I can get people, with money, to understand the good that these conventions do for the culture, community, and for Black-Owned businesses, then they can talk to the owners directly about how they can help build them up. How many times have we sat there, and said ‘Black Owned businesses being the thing we need to focus on and build’ and yet we do nothing to help an entity that houses 70 Black owned conventions all at once?”
During his panel discussion titled "Blerd and Powerful: The Affirmation (BP)," Holt not only expressed the purpose of his company but also facilitated a grassroots movement by engaging in a dialogue with attendees. The panel provided a platform for questions and answers, addressing the significance of Blerd and Powerful, Black spaces within the BU and addressing the status of the Blerd community. This initiative seeks to create a positive shift and generate meaningful support for Black-owned conventions, emphasizing the importance of community-building and empowerment.
Overall, Holt is not only breaking barriers but also challenging the narrative that has long excluded Blerds from mainstream conversations. He recognizes that representation is crucial, not just on the surface level but also in the deeper realms of mental and emotional well-being. By championing the Blerd community and providing platforms for self-expression and connection, Holt's grassroots movement is sowing the seeds of change and cultivating a more inclusive and vibrant landscape for Black nerds to thrive.
RESPECT.
