The Press Release:
Blerd City Con 3.0, a micro-cosmic explosion, is coming to Brooklyn, NY July 12 – 14, 2019, and delves into the multidimensional nerd sphere bringing together community and amplifying the global intellect. Two days of the conference will take place at St. Francis College (180 Remsen St., BK Heights) with the third day at additional locations in Brooklyn (to be announced).
Black Horror is this year’s theme, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring forth everything “weird and strange” the community has to offer. Yet, we also want to address the personal horrors the Diasporic community may experience daily; whether that is feeling invisible, mental challenges, nutrition and having an overall wholistic approach to life…our goal is to bring compassion, understanding and knowledge as a take away for participants. “The ‘nerd’ has always been considered awkward, eccentric and whichever other adjective you can come up with to describe the community. With this conference, we want to provide a safe space for people of color where one can be – and – celebrate as themselves,” expressed Clairesa Clay, founder.
For the participant, Blerd City Con provides substantial connections to talented and cutting-edged professionals in the craft of positive image making. We are dedicated to exploring local and global artistry through the African descent lens of nerdom (i.e. Black + Nerd = “BLERD”) by the means of stimulating educational programming, Blerd City re-conceptualizes and reinvigorates the multilayered Black identity.
This year like in the past, BLERD CITY CON 3.0 will feature art, science, film, and technology. The conference incorporates panels and workshops highlighting ComicBooks, Gaming, Afrofuturism, Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy authors with a Teen/Young Adult curated section and a Blerd Jr’s (children) area. Some of the panel titles are: Blacks in Animation; Women in Comics; Code, Write and Sip, and the Horror Film Showcase supporting this year’s theme. Annually, Blerd CIty Con honors professionals who move the Blerd culture forward through their creativity. This year the conference will Award David Crownson, creator/writer of Harriet Tubman Demon Slayer, with its LA Banks Award. One of the most anticipated events of the year, you can get a daily ticket or tickets for all three days to participate. Remember, Blerd Pride!
WHAT: Blerd City Con 2019
WHERE: St. Francis College – 180 Remsen St. (Brooklyn Heights,) Additional locations To-be-announced
WHEN: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, 14, 2019
WHY: Celebrate the Nerd in You!
WHO: Some of the most renowned, accomplished, and critically acclaimed presenters within the Blerd community: Sheree Renée Thomas, Tim Fielder, Michelle Materre, Floyd Webbs, Ryan Sands, Warrington Hudlin and Regine Sawyer.
PRICES: $30 One-Day Blerd Pass; $20 Teen Weekend Blerd Pass (12 to 17 years old); $50 ThreeDay Blerd Pass that Admits 1 Adult ages 18 and above or 1 Adult and 2 Children, and announcing this year, $70 VIP Pass
For more information on Blerd City Con 3.0, visit the link at the close.
CLAIRESA CLAY, BLERD CITY’s Founder and Executive Producer, has developed cultural programs in film, visual arts, and literature in conjunction with academic and artistic organizations as well as independent artists. To date, she has supported cultural projects presented by New York University’s Institute of African American Affairs, the Organization of Women Writers of Africa, and American Museum of Natural History’s Kwanzaa celebration of NYC. Clairesa currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Reel Sisters and Board of Directors of ImageNation Cinema Foundation. In addition, for the past 20 years, she has taught English with the New York City Department of Education.
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Piercing Ken Thoughts: As a long standing supporter of comic, science fiction and toy conventions, I am hoping to give this one a walkthrough to help raise some awareness and provide media support. As always, should I be involved, you’re going to want to be on the Piercing Ken Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I tend to post there at the moment things happen and then get around to posting on the website. Closing up I wonder if this event piques your interest and if you’d consider coming out as well. This is where I went to college many moons ago and I’ve not been back since then, well, at least I don’t think that I have been back since then. Chime in down below with what you think and I will see you next time.
Official Website: http://www.blerdcitycon.com