About Our Event
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.
Our Mission
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.
Our Schedule
9 - 9:30am CST
Welcome: Jade Rogers, Wayne Brown, Katrina Adams, Julia Parker, Rolanda Horton, Tori Jones
Hopin: Main Stage
9:30 - 10am CST
Main Stage Opening Event: Morning Meditation w/Sihnuu Hetep
Hopin: Main Stage
10 - 11am CST
Session Prime
Hopin
10-11am CST - Session Prime
- Main Stage Event: Children of Octavia - Why Octavia Butler’s Work Matters in 2020
- After reading and rereading the works of Octavia Butler, why does her work seem to foretell the world of today and offer us so much hope?
- Speakers:Stephani Tyrance, Zoë Charlton, Rachel (Chat Moderator)
- Story Time (Omaha Public Library) w/Mary
- Meetup: Star Trek w/ Marcus Ross
- This is a space is the final frontier for those who want to discuss all things Star Trek. Marcus Ross
- Webberized Intro to Podcasting
11am - 12pm CST
Main Stage Event - Speculative Fiction, Black Futures, and the works of Justina Ireland
Hopin: Main Stage
New York Times Bestselling Author Justina Ireland shares with us her work and her vision of the future.
12pm - 12:45pm CST
Workshops + Virtual Board Gaming: Session A
Hopin
12:00-12:45 - Session A
- Panel Discussion - Rebuild/Restore/Renew: Building BIPOC Arts Institutions
Post Pandemic
- Panel: Carla Stillwell, Denise Chapman, Dana Rose, Scott Woods
- Greeter + Comments: Nik Whitcomb
- MoveMed (Yoruba Movement)
- Speaker: Jerome MT
- Does Charles X Drink Sherry? A Deep Dive into Character Design
- Speaker: Alex Brigeman
- Workshop
- Speaker: Tiana Conyers
- Questions and Answers LIVE! with Mik & Starla of Our Family Plays Games
- Folks can come in and ask us questions about gaming or whatever.
- Emerging Ladies Academy presents: She Code with Tiffany Gamble and her emerging ladies
- Reframing Perspectives: African Culture & History Through Animation w/ Judy Kiagiri & Adamu Waziri (pre-recorded)
- Boardgame
- TBD
- Boardgame
- TBD
- Meetup: World of Warcraft - Andre Ball, Jade
- Are you a blerd that plays WoW and you'd love to meet and talk about the world with other nerds and blerds? Then this is the space for you.
- Meet Up: Anime - Open
1pm - 1:45pm CST
Workshops + Virtual Board Gaming: Session B
Hopin
1:00-1:45 - Session B
- How to Universe Build with your Characters
- Speaker: Michael Barnes
- Beyond Monopoly - How can I get past Monopoly?
- Speaker: Marcus Ross, Our Family Plays
- Yes! Blerds Play D&D!
- Speakers: Michael Clark, Andre Ball
- Raising Blerds: Black Fatherhood and Nerd Culture after Black Panther
- Speakers: Wayne Brown, Papa Bear + NerdSoul
- MeetUp: The Sims w/Staci Croom-Raley + Zoë Charlton
- Do you love and play The Sims and you'd love to meet and talk about The Sims with other nerds and blerds? Then this is the space for you. Also, Show + Tell!
- MeetUp: Comics w/Alex Bridgman
- Do you love comics or are trying to get into comics and you'd love to meet and talk with other nerds and blerds? Then this is the space for you.
- Boardgame
- TBD
- Boardgame/RPG
- TBD
2pm - 2:30pm CST
Blerd Meet
Hopin
You'll have 180 seconds to meet someone new and answer: 1. What's your one thing? (favorite game, fandom, etc.) 2. What's the future of blerdom?
0
Our Visionary
Speakers
Speakers
0
Vendors
0
Workshops
We offer
We offer
0
Tickets Sold
Featured Guests
Justina Ireland
Bestselling author, professor, and activistJustina 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
Nerd Soul
HIP HOP + NERD + SOULNERDSoul 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.
Event Speakers
David Pollock
Husband, Father, and Business OwnerDavid Pollock is a husband, father, and business owner whose goal is to help current and future Black and Latino technologists collaborate and innovate in order to grow both personally and professionally. David obtained his master’s in Organizational Leadership from Bellevue University and has certifications in IBM Cognitive Analytics (Chatbot) and Grow with Google (app development). Before starting Code Black, David worked 2 ½ years as a Fatherhood Coordinator and 3 ½ years as a college success advisor. After a successful career in coaching, mentoring and developing programs, David now leads a community of Black and Latino’s in technology to impact the very community that they live in. David enjoys movies and nature.
Carla Stillwell
Founder and Executive Director of the Stillwell Institute for Contemporary Black ArtThe 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).
Jerome MT
Artist, Life & Mindfulness Mentor, Holistic SpiritualistJerome MT is an Artist, Life & Mindfulness Mentor, Holistic Spiritualist homed in Honolulu, Hawaii. His movement and teaching aim to inspire the coalescence, communication and community of Salsa culture and to expand its art in everyone. He unifies knowledge and experience to provide the wisdom of a creative and balanced life using the tools of the mind, body, breath and art. Currently, he travels the world with his brand AlohAsheXpression sharing the gifts of a creative life through his teaching and movement art. The spirit of Aloha and the life energy known as Ashe fuel his passion for humanity and the beautiful dance between them. Class Description: MovMed Engineers the movement mechanics of the body in connection with the breath and the mind’s attention. It Cultivates the walking zen state in us all while aligning our energies to states of peace and blissful expression. Rooted in the Yoruba traditions of movement medicine, meditation and the energies within; MovMed awakens our bodies and minds together in solidarity and intention.
Nik Whitcomb
Actor, Director, and Casting DirectorNik Whitcomb is an actor, director, and casting director born and raised in Omaha, NE. Nik recently returned to the Omaha Theater Company for Young People (The Rose), where he took his first theatre class, to direct ELLA ENCHANTED THE MUSICAL. Nik has also worked with The Performing Arts Program at the Union for Contemporary Art, Blue Barn Theatre, Great Plains Theatre Commons, and won a number of awards for his portrayal of the Dryer/Bus in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE in 2016. Nik is known across the Midwest having worked with many major theatrical institutions such as Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, and the Old Log Theatre to name a few and was named a "Theatre Worker You Should Know" by American Theatre Magazine. Currently based in Chicago, IL, Nik is a Casting Associate with Paskal Rudnicke Casting and works on a number of other projects both in front of and behind the table. Nik is also a 2020/2021 Directing Apprentice with the Actors Theatre of Louisville and is the creator and host of THE COME UP with Nik Whitcomb.
Jamillah Hinson
Independent Curator and Arts ProgrammerJamillah 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.
Sihnuu Hetep
500hr ERYT and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education ProviderSihnuu Hetep is a 500hr ERYT and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider with a focus on Stress Transformation. She is well versed in Kemetic spirituality and yoga catering to those seeking redemption. After the passing of her son in 2011, healing and spiritual growth became a priority. Her practice uses open dialogue with breath and body while applying yogic principles to everyday life. It is her mission to share the power of self-exploration and actualization by journeying inward.
Our Family Plays Games
PresentersMik, 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.
Alex Bridgman
PresenterHey! 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!!!
Andre Ball
Panel SpeakerMy name is Andre Ball and I am an educator as well as a long time gamer from Chicago, IL. I play all types of games including tabletop RPGs, tabletop wargames, competitive card games, board games, and video games, and even escape rooms. As a math educator, gaming allows me to express my critical thinking and problem-solving skills and I try to highlight those areas in other players that I game with.
Ayo Makinde
CEO of comicsDI, a fast-rising comic brand in Abuja, Nigeria, West AfricaAyo Makinde is the CEO of comicsDI, a fast-rising comic brand in Abuja, Nigeria, West Africa. He is a graduate of law from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. For over two decades he has honed his skills in the creative industry and his deeply passionate about art and creativity within the African context. His key areas of focus are comic script writing and concept development. In 2019, his African Mythological short work “Duro” received a Royal Endorsement from the “Ooni of Ife” one of the most powerful Monarchs and custodian of culture in Yorubaland, South West Region of Nigeria. In 2020, his Afrofuturistic Comic Web Series and sensational work “LAGELU, the Kingdom on Four Hills” got a major feature on BBC Focus on Africa. The work can be read weekly on the brand website: wwww.comicsdi.com Ayodeji believes in the power of art to mold the mind of the larger society.
Zöe Charlton
Associate Professor, Department of Art, American UniversityZöe 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.
Michael Barnes
Graphic Designer/Artist SpeakerMichael Barnes is the Founder and CEO of Contemporary Fantasy Designs, an Omaha-based business focused on providing visual communication services for a wide range of organizations. What began as a hobby on a video game fan-site, soon became a degree in visual communications. From there, Mr. Barnes and his team have been hired to complete projects for companies such as Mortal Kombat Online, Boys Scouts of America Mid-America Council, the Omaha’s Riverfront Jazz & Blues Festival and the Love's Jazz & Arts Center to name a few. He has a true understanding of how to connect a company’s brand and messaging with its consumers through visual conceptualization.
Marcus Ross
Founder, Operations Manager, Lead Game Designer, Waterbear GamesMarcus 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 Williams
Mathematician & WriterNoni 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.
After Party Lineup
Mesonjixx
Performing ArtistMesonjixx 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
Performing ArtistConrad 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.
Carter Anderson
ComedianCarter is a Texas based comedian originally from San Antonio but now in Austin. He got his start in Theatre and Radio before deciding to sling jokes full time. Carter has won the House Of Hyjinx Comedy Competition and the Western Oregon Comedy Competition, came in Second in the Comedy vs. Tragedy Competition, and has appeared on Portlandia and Epix’s original comedy docuseries Unprotected Sets. He also created and hosts a Comedy Game on Fb Live called In The Meme Time and an all things nerd show called Geek’d Out. For more info on this goober, find him on Facebook @Carter Anderson and Instagram @mistercarteranderson
Kiwi
Performing ArtistKiwi is a multi-instrumentalist from Omaha Nebraska. The singer-songwriter melds an eclectic mix of r&b and hip hop influenced accompaniment under her soul-stirring lyrics. Kiwi is a music teacher in the Omaha metro area and has worked with multiple non-profits in the city to bring music to underserved youth. Her band Bound has performed around the city since 2017 and her solo work continues to take form as the years’ progress.
Ken Hamlett
ComedianKen Hamlett is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He’s been featured at comedy Festivals such as Just For Laughs NW, Gilda's Laugh Fest, Burbank Comedy Festival, Out Of Bounds Comedy Festival, and more. Ken Hamlett is the producer/ host of the number 11 trending stand up Podcast on iTunes and nationally traveling show: A Drunken Night Out. Combining wry wit with a powerful stage presence, Ken Hamlett has used his unique perspective to make him a mainstay in the Northwest and Midwest comedy scenes. Ken Hamlett’s quick witted personality will keep crowds on their toes and cheeks sore from laughing all night.
Mesonjixx
Performing ArtistMesonjixx 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.
General Admission
$
10
- For solo admission
General Admission Household
$
15
- For those joining as a group
Generous Admission
$
20
- General admission plus donation
*a ticket rate that shows you care about the art--and then some