BLACK GAMES ELITE QUESTIONS

• 1)What defines a Black comic book to you, no answer is wrong?
• 2)From your definition of Black Comic book, which will you like to see made into a video game? 

I ask the two questions cause the point of Black Games Elite is to create, not to preach or talk. 

 

Website

https://www.schomcom.org/

Registration

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-schomburg-center-s-11th-annual-black-comic-book-festival-registration-525127088257

 

SCHEDULE

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

10:30 AM EST

Black Comic Futures (Curated by Black Comics Collective)

Little Apple Universe Screenings

An interactive discussion and look inside the TV shows and school curriculum activities of Little Apple Universe.

Featuring

Riley Wilson, Little Apple Universe Young Actors

Black Comic Future Panel

Youth comic book artists discuss their original comic and creative process.

Featuring

AK Lovelace, Harlem School of the Arts

 

1 PM EST

Banned Books and Diversity in Comics

Book bans across the U.S. are targeting graphic novels and comic books, especially those that take up issues of race, gender, and sexuality. This will be a conversation about how to advocate for stories that represent the full range of experiences for youth and adults.

 

Featuring

Joe Illidge, Dr. Monique Couvson,

Mike Haynes-Pitts, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, Kadia Tubman

 

3 PM EST

The Creator Symposium

Hosted by Women in Comics Collective International, this conversation will explore the ways in which multimedia and comic book professionals working in comics can continue to grow and thrive in an ever-changing industry.

Featuring

Regine Sawyer, Janicia Francis, Shauna Grant, Javier Cruz Winnik, Barbara Brandon-Croft, Ben Ha Meen

 

5 PM EST

The Business of Comics and Sequential Narrative

A conversation on the business of comics and moving in the industry beyond just publishing.

Featuring 

TJ  Sterling, Alitha Martinez, Shawn Martinbrough, Gamal Hennesy, Dedren Snead

 

6:45 PM EST

Access Guide's Black Comics Trivia Challenge!

Access Guide to the Black Comic Book Community the first SchomCom Trivia Night. This “Jeopardy” style event features the panelists and audience members in a nerd-off of Black characters and events from comics, tv, movies, and the culture, for ultimate bragging rights. Attendees will be able to play along on their phones or tablets to see if they are as knowledgeable as our panelists.

Featuring

Tatiana King, Karama Horne, John Jennings, Regine Sawyer

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

11 AM EST

How to Draw Black Superheroes & Comics

Join Tim Fielder (Infinitum, DieselFunk Studios) for a master class on drawing comics. This program is open to all ages, but it is especially geared towards young people ages 5 and up.

Featuring

Tim Fielder

 

1 PM EST

Speaking for Ourselves: Black Women & Marginalized Voices in Comics

A conversation hosted by the Nerds, Erbs and Words podcast featuring industry experts about the nuances of Black women, LGBTQ, and other marginalized voices in comics and storytelling -- voices that mainstream media often misses.

Featuring

Erika Hardison & Keisha Parks (Nerds, Erbs and Words), Shauna Grant, Karama Horne, Elizabeth Colomba, Barbara Brandon-Croft

 

3:30 PM EST

Black in the Future: Afrofuturism in Comics & Graphic Novels

A conversation highlighting the powerful relationship between Afrofuturism, comics, and graphic novels.

Featuring

John Jennings, Ytasha Womack, Tim Fielder, Ayize Jama-Everett

 

5:30 PM EST

Cosplay Showcase

The SchomCom Cosplay Showcase is open to attendees of all ages and skill levels. The showcase will take place on Saturday, April 15 at 6 PM. If you want to participate, you can sign up at the Schomburg Center on Friday, April 14 from 10 AM - 8 PM, or Saturday, April 15 from 10 AM- 3 PM. The last registration for the cosplay showcase is at check-in on Saturday, April 15.

Featuring

Guest DJ Greg Wilson (@gregorywilson)

 

PRIOR COSPLAY

https://www.schomcom.org/cosplay

 

 

 

 

MY THOUGHTS

I have to admit. I have become disenchanted with this festival. And I will be blunt, I have become disenfranchised with the NY Comiccon or the MakersFaire in NYC. Maybe it is just the financial scenario of NYC. But, all to often, the supposed point of the convention or fair is lost. The Schomburg Black Comic Book Festival isn't about Black Comic Books. It is Multiracial or multiculturalism in aspects of the Comic Book Industry. It isn't about Black explicitly. I daresay it is more about female representation, that just happens to be black , then about black representation. And that isn't a problem. But, it calls itself a Black Comic Book fair. And, they will have a virtual gallery for black comics, which is just like NYComiccon's artist alley, which used to be the entire NY comiccon, is now a small aside. It's not a comiccon . It is a movie/video game, entertainment convention. And same with the Makersfaire. It is a 3d printing, drone fair. True makers get these little areas to show their craft. I just wish all conventions and starting with Black ones, will be more honest about what they are here for. If I administered a Black Comic Book Convention, it will be a simple thing. Get Black comic books!  I wish the Schomburg would mirror itself off of the Komikku Māketto in Nippon, commonly called Japan. Get rid of all the Black preachers who want to talk about this and talk about that. I will love to see how many Black Comic Books are out there. Something tells me, far fewer black comic books are available today, than Black artists who say they want to make a comic.