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by Karama Horne
Oakland – AfroComicConTM returns virtually this Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, for their first virtual convention. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the annual event, started in 2017 by the Oakland Technology & Education Center (OTEC), will be held for free this weekend and registration is now open. Sponsored by the NNPA, the Oakland A’s and Pixar Entertainment, AfroComicCon will be a day full of live and pre-recorded programming, complete with live entertainment, a gaming tournament, cosplay competition, virtual marketplace and an impressive array of special guests across genre entertainment from around the world.
Among the confirmed guests are Denzel Whitaker (“Black Panther”), Ricco Ross (“P-Valley”), comedian Godfrey and show runner and writer Cheo Hodari Coker (Marvel’s Luke Cage, “CREED II”). Screenwriters Rodney Barnes (“Boondocks,” “American Gods”), Bianca Sams (“Charmed”) and Maya Houston (“Batwoman”) are confirmed as well as animation directors Justin and Chris Copeland (“Batman HUSH” and “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts”) and legendary music producers and singers Patrice Rushen and D’Wayne Wiggins (Tony! Toni! Toné!).
Eisner-winning comic book creators John Jennings (“Kindred”), Vita Ayala (“Iron Heart,” “Shuri”) and Alitha Martinez (“Black Panther: World of Wakanda”) will also be featured, along with hip-hop journalist Dart Adams, rapper and comic book creator MURS and BLACK-ISH star Miles Brown, who makes a special appearance with his father, producer and dancer Jack Brown.
The AfroComicCon Film Festival will also be screening finalists’ shorts this weekend. Hosted by The Burton Wire founder Nsenga Burton, the streaming event is slated to screen short films from creators across the diaspora and will allow the winners to be voted on by the public. Fans are also invited to vote on their favorite cosplayer in the first virtual AFCC Cosplay Competition which will livestream Saturday as well.
A safe virtual space for underrepresented nerds of color. Regardless of age, gender identity, sexual preference, religious beliefs or special needs, all are invited to celebrate science-fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming and more.
Although AfroComicCon started out as a local event in the San Francisco Bay Area, this weekend’s virtual event allows the organization to feature global creators, including UK-based Melanin Gamers who will host an all-day gaming tournament on their Twitch stream, as well as Lagos-based comics and animation company Vortex247 and Kugali Media, an African comic book and media company expanding into augmented reality.
Creator and Co-founder Mike James and Co-founder Hally Bellah-Guther were committed to creating an incredible virtual event to help entertain and expand the organization’s sense of community and to give fans an enjoyable day of entertainment despite these trying times.
“Despite the devastating impact of COVID19, we are thrilled to be able to bring AfroComicCon to our community virtually,” says Mike James.
“AfroComicCon not only provides entertainment, but attendees can learn skills and even discuss how social justice issues can be addressed in the creative spaces,” adds Hally Bellah-Guther.
AfroComicCon’s goal is to provide a welcoming and safe virtual space for underrepresented nerds of color. Regardless of age, gender identity, sexual preference, religious beliefs or special needs, all are invited to celebrate science-fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming and more in this special virtual event.
Free registration for AfroComicCon is now open, at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afrocomiccon-2020-free-virtual-experience-tickets-123304584331.
About AfroComicCon
AfroComicCon (AFCC) was founded in 2016 by the Oakland Technology & Education Center (OTEC) as an annual comic convention for Black and Brown fans within the genre space. Their mission is to entertain, educate and enlighten through sequential art, science-fiction, fantasy, gaming and technology throughout the diaspora.
About the Oakland Technology & Education Center (OTEC)
The Oakland Technology & Education Center (OTEC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 that aims to preserve and strengthen cultural identities through storytelling, media and fine arts. Children and adults alike come to experience technology programs, where they’re taught literacy through art, gaming, fashion design and multimedia activities.
Karama Horne of Tiyland Creative can be reached at karama@tiyland.com.
