AfroCon is a community building event that includes curated conversations about the issues and themes that impact Black lives and Black Futures; consumerism and economic development of the black dollar; nerd culture and vehicles for k-12 educational achievement. It is an opportunity to support an ethnically diverse range of independent artists and businesses with an emphasis on organizations led by people of color. Most importantly AfroCon is a safe space for the celebration of nerd culture and black culture.
Click the links below to get involved!
The House of Afros, Capes & Curls is an organization whose goal is to connect people from diverse backgrounds and build a community based on a shared love of science fiction, fantasy, gaming, and Afrofuturism, while providing a safe space to explore the artistic literary and historic merits of geek culture.
Non Discrimination Policy: The House of Afros, Capes & Curls does not discriminate based on race, color, ethicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities.
Morning Meditation presented by Alisha Davis
Welcome: Finding Joy n Speaking Your Truth with author Lacey Lamar
Mukami Kinoti Kimotho, Founder, CEO & Chief Girl Crusader at Royelles Inc, was raised by parents whose lives revolved around STEM (a pharmacist and a doctor) and who reminded her that she could do anything she put her mind to. Still, never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that she would become the CEO of a technology company! Mukami’s degree in management information systems paved the way for her incredible career where gets to do work that makes a difference in the lives of others.
An explanation and practical instruction of taking an original game design from prototype to commercial product.
https://creativemornings.com/talks/marcus-ross/1
https://waterbeargames.com/
Interactive storytelling to encourage unity, collective work, responsibility, courage, & faith.
Finding Bigfoot + Civil
Finding Bigfoot - https://youtu.be/N8KtH1IVm4Y
https://www.lamanchafilmco.com/
Presentation by Mik & Starla Fitch from OFPG
Game Title: Camp Clearwater Massacre (D&D 5E)
Description: There’s someone out there. Lurking in the woods. Hacksaw in hand. Eager to draw the blood of those who dare tread within its lair. Its lair: Camp Clearwater.
Any other summer, Camp Clearwater is a haven for young, aspiring adventurers to hone their skills and relax with others like them. But this year it’s different. Bodies are turning up. Teenagers are running for their lives. There’s blood on the water.
Can the characters save the counselors and campers from the Camp Clearwater Massacre?
The Camp Clearwater Massacre is a Fifth Edition adventure designed for four 3rd-level characters but can be adjusted for three to five characters of 2nd to 4th level. The adventure works particularly well in horror-themed Fifth Edition games, especially those involving shadowy realms where a single evil presence acts as the domain’s dark lord or lady.
This Workshop is designed for the aspiring artist, the writer with original characters, the board game maker who needs characters, Etc. Will cover things like ideation, color considerations, poses, storytelling, Etc. Basic drawing tips and ideas will be fleshed out. If willing, the participant can provide their OC and we can work together on it. By the end of it, either the participants should have a fully fleshed-out sketch of their OC, or the panel will end with a fully fleshed-out character designed by committee.
Www.paintedwolfstudio.com
https://www.instagram.com/painted__wolf/
https://ko-fi.com/paintedwolf
Zoe Loves the Sims & modding the game
Game Description: A game of ragged-edged fantasy adventure, followed by a discussion of GM best practices and opportunities.
Beginner to Intermediate (Who hopefully wants to be a GM!)
Up to 8
The game system will be VERY easy to pick up and play, but our focus will be on meeting players who are just starting out as GMs, or who want to be GMs in the future. Folks who meet that description should consider themselves doubly-invited!
Presentation featuring Jade, Steph, Nik, Marcus, and Mik
Moderated by Doriette
By using a writing prompt I will demonstration how to outline, research, write, edit and continue on all creative projects. Proposed event name: The name of the workshop is, "You'll Start Writing After This."
Jessica Host / Noni Williams
Verta Maloney - https://thegamehers.com/
Verta Maloney - https://thegamehers.com/
Justina Ireland is a New York Times Bestselling author, professor, and activist for elevating marginalized voices. Ireland’s numerous works span the galaxy from the Star Wars universe with titles such as Lando’s Luck all the way to the end of the Civil War with Dread Nation. Her new book, Deathless Divide continues the story of and former editor-in-chief of the FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction
NERDSoul is that intangible fresh--that 70's soul mixed with comics, some sci-fi fantasy, movie geekery, topped off with the Golden Era of Hip Hop. I've developed NERDSoul over the years as a StreetGEEK, unknowingly by loving Wu-Tang, Justice League, Star Wars, Stevie Wonder and playing D&D after school. NERDSoul comes from that StreetGEEK that can chop it up with the best, while being up on games around the block and Pop Culture.
Hey! I’m Alex Bridgman and it’s a pleasure to present at this year's Afro-Con! I’m 30 years old and I’ve been drawing since I was 10. My Blerd life started with ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and I’ve been deep in it ever since! I’ve produced storyboards, created comics, written original stories, and acted in a few as well. I hope we can all learn from each other and share these pro tips - and all things Blerdy!!!
The Institute’s mission is to recruit, develop, and support contemporary Black artists and teach art making in the Black community as a healing practice, a vehicle for social change, and a viable career opportunity. Ms. Stillwell began her directorial career with the late night stage production of the popular 70s sitcom Good Times. She went on to direct Addae Moons critically acclaimed work She Calls up the Sun (2008), Kevin Douglas No Experience Necessary, Keith Josef Adkins The Last Saint on Sugar Hill (2010) and is currently directing Paul Notices Leaves, Trees, Forest opening January (2013).
Jamillah Hinson is a Chicago based independent curator and arts programmer focused on exploring the works and concepts derived from the rich diversity found throughout the African diaspora. Hinson’s work often delves into the everyday life of Black people across various cultures and ethnicities, examining and glamorizing often erased components of Blackness in the Americas and the Caribbean. Currently, Hinson’s practice has evolved to encompass the mythical and spiritual practices of Blackness, which are often intertwined with the everyday.
Marcus has a background in computer programming, but his true passion is for board games. His interest began as a child obsessed with Monopoly and ballooned from there, expanding his collection to a wide range of games including German style board games. 99% of the time, if you see a tweet from @waterbeargames or @discountsalmon, it’s Marcus. He is responsible for most of the promotions, operating the business side of Water Bear Games, and getting their games into stores, as well as brainstorming ideas for new games with his vast knowledge of all things tabletop. https://waterbeargames.com/
Noni is a mathematician and a writer. She finds her passion in solving problems and helping others understand that they are capable of solving problems too. She feels the most free when she is outside with the sun on her skin or contextualizing the universe for herself through math and art.
Mik, Starla and their son Grant are Our Family Plays Games. They are dedicated to sharing their love and inspiring diversity and inclusion in the world of board games. They are contributors for the Dice Tower, on Boardgame Breakfast and were recently interviewed on their passion for board gaming by Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, The African American Network TV and NBC News. They now share their love of boardgaming at Our Family Plays Games YouTube channel.
Zöe Charlton, who works from studios in both D.C. and Baltimore, has served on the faculty of The American University art department for 16 years, including as chair. She received her MFA degree from the University of Texas at Austin and BFA in painting and drawing from Florida State University.
Mesonjixx is an artist who currently resides in Omaha. Her father is Black American born and raised in the Alabama Ozarks and her mother is a South Pasifika Islander from Honolulu, Hawaii. Mesonjixx is the middle child of five. While living in Chicago (2009-2014) she honed her songwriting and musical style. She’s since returned to Nebraska to find balance in her interconnected nature of her identities as a woman, as one who belongs to two diasporas of two hemispheres, and as a young black midwesterner who finds the plains of America her home. Mesonjixx creates music to find her unique center. Soon after her performance debut in 2015, Mesonjixx has not only become a fixture of the Nebraska music scene, but has risen to the top of artists in the Midwest. Both as a solo artist and as a leader of a trio and quartet, which has drawn the most talented musicians of Nebraska. Her current trio, with keyboardist Nate Asad and percussionist John Evans -- was selected to open for Kamasi Washington’s recent performance in Omaha, and was a returning festival favorite at this year’s True/False Independent Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri. She describes the music as: Afro-futuristic Experimental Subculture Soul.
Conrad Clifton is an Omaha native, Brooklyn based electronic artist, and Infinity Pool Recordings’ label founder. He blends electronic music and hip-hop together in unique and daring ways, that tell a tale through each tune. With over 2 Million streams on Spotify, Conrad has received editorial playlist placements on Dance Rising, Electronic Circus, Bass Arcade, Friday Cratediggers and more. Winner of the Independent Music Award for BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC EP, Conrad was called "one of the most exciting electronic artists to watch" by EARMILK. His forthcoming album GET YOUR WHOLE LIFE, taps into a vibe that’s perfect for fans of KAYTRANADA, Tom Misch, GoldLink, Yaeji and Black Coffee. For the first single “Neva Seen (A Broken Heart)”, Conrad goes back to his roots with a soulful house bop. His early material was all sample-based rap beats (flashback to Yelawolf’s “Down”), but now he’s serving tunes that help dance away the gloomies. If ever there was a ‘happy’ breakup song, this is it. You sense the longing in every string pluck, but no one can ignore the feelgood energy of the perfect soul clap.
Mesonjixx is an artist who currently resides in Omaha. Her father is Black American born and raised in the Alabama Ozarks and her mother is a South Pasifika Islander from Honolulu, Hawaii. Mesonjixx is the middle child of five. While living in Chicago (2009-2014) she honed her songwriting and musical style. She’s since returned to Nebraska to find balance in her interconnected nature of her identities as a woman, as one who belongs to two diasporas of two hemispheres, and as a young black midwesterner who finds the plains of America her home. Mesonjixx creates music to find her unique center. Soon after her performance debut in 2015, Mesonjixx has not only become a fixture of the Nebraska music scene, but has risen to the top of artists in the Midwest. Both as a solo artist and as a leader of a trio and quartet, which has drawn the most talented musicians of Nebraska. Her current trio, with keyboardist Nate Asad and percussionist John Evans -- was selected to open for Kamasi Washington’s recent performance in Omaha, and was a returning festival favorite at this year’s True/False Independent Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri. She describes the music as: Afro-futuristic Experimental Subculture Soul.
*a ticket rate that shows you care about the art--and then some