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Three weeks ago saw the third annual BlerdCon take Arlington, Virginia by storm. The Crystal City Hyatt served as the venue for a vibrant gathering of hundreds of Black nerds. But what is BlerdCon and why does it exist?

First taking place in Arlington back in 2018, and being forced to take a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19, BlerdCon is the Black nerd convention, the nexus of all things Black and all things nerdy.

Black culture and nerdom are often viewed as mutually exclusive, but that represents a complete and utter misrepresentation of both. Black nerds are often told they are not “Black enough”, but at the same time, they are excluded from nerdy groups because of their Blackness. 

Con culture is known for lacking acceptance and diversity. Many Black nerds know what it’s like to feel out of place at a convention due to hostility or to come face to face with a cosplayer doing blackface for a costume. These experiences culminate in an unwelcoming environment at most cons. BlerdCon is an attempt to be just the opposite, a place where Black nerds of every creed and skin tone can gather and embrace their Blackness without fear of racism and their nerdiness without fear of having their Blackness questioned.

Cosplay is a hallmark of conventions, and BlerdCon is no different. What is different is the variety of cosplay. At most conventions, people dress as predominantly white characters from predominantly white media, but BlerdCon’s range was different. Of course, anywhere you look at this con, you would see lightsabers of every color, but you would also see more people dressed as the Miles Morales version of Spiderman than the typical Peter Parker. Rather than dozens of Steve Rogers, there were countless Sam Wilsons, both of the Captain America and Falcon variations. And, of course, there was Black Panther and Storm.

BlerdCon also featured a comedy show which included talented performers such as the hilarious Joey Purse and the ever-entertaining Roxxy Haze. The show was a Black comedy show, and that’s not to say it was dark; it was a comedy show for Black people by Black people. There was hardly a moment that was not filled with laughter as talented comedians performed sets about their experiences growing up Black and nerdy.

It would not be a convention without vendors and artists, and BlerdCon featured several gifted artists who have mastered their craft.

Among the artists selling their work at BlerdCon was Lewis Green, a DMV native whose work features characters from Marvel, Star Wars, DC Comics, and more. Green’s work that he was selling at BlerdCon included drawings of characters like Black Panther and Sam Wilson from Marvel, Saw Gerrera from the Star Wars Universe, and Green Lantern from DC Comics. The work Green displayed and sold at BlerdCon blends Afro-futurism with reality and fiction.

Green’s artwork can be found on Instagram at @ljgillustrations.

Another notable artist was Steve Howard. A con-veteran, Howard has been attending cons for almost a decade. While Howard’s art is a different style than Green’s, both artists focus on similar concepts. Howard’s work includes characters from Marvel, DC Comics, and the Harry Potter series, among others.

When asked if BlerdCon was his favorite convention, Howard said that it is difficult to choose a favorite convention, but he added that BlerdCon is definitely one of the most unique in the way that it blends Black culture and nerdom. 

But how does BlerdCon 2021 compare to past BlerdCons?

When BlerdCon came on the scene several years ago, fans weren’t sure exactly what to expect. At other conventions, it would be difficult to find Black and Brown creatives trying to fit in with a group that was rarely recognized. However, this first BlerdCon would somehow be different, in that this was going to be a celebration of all things Black. 

When con-goers approached the main entrance in their cosplay garb, already there was a plethora of Black-garbed individuals waiting. Regardless of the characters they represented, they were accepted for their Blerdiness. 

They sent a message that said, “It’s okay; you’re one of us. Come on in!”

From the opening sessions to the Turn Out (it can’t be explained here, you’ll just have to see it for yourself), it was a three-day celebration. From the authors of the Black Panther novel, to the owners of Capital City Wrestling (the only Black-owned wrestling promotion at the time), or a full room of people waiting to interview Karan Ashley, the original Yellow Power Ranger, the sea of Blackness stretched from wall to wall

Over the years, BlerdCon has established its identity as THE con for those who are marginalized by society yet embrace their differences. Another highlight of the convention were the creators of Stranger Comics, a Black-owned graphic novel company. It was great to see young geniuses at work, and feeling empowered for others to follow in their footsteps.

That is what the essence of BlerdCon is, to make you feel as if you not only belong, but have the ability to create your own world, and realize that it’s fine to do so. Watching the Dora Milaje do a celebratory dance to seeing hundreds of Black Spider-Men before “Into the Spider-Verse” came out, it was truly a slice of heaven on this side of the nation’s capital. 

2019 was more of the same, where the convention had really begun to get more notoriety for its raucous celebrations and costume contests. However, many of the same people who were there the year before also showed up again. That is what BlerdCon is about: community. No more are Black comic book fans shunned, but now are embraced and, in some cases, elevated.

Whether or not you have attended a convention before, if you’re a Black nerd, you should mark your calendar for BlerdCon 2022.