The 2024 Schomburg Center Black Comic Book Festival marks 12 years of bringing together animators, Blerds, bloggers, cosplay lovers, fans, families, illustrators, independent publishers, and writers to celebrate Black comic books and graphic novels and provides a platform to get the works directly to readers. This annual event features panel discussions, workshops, cosplay showcases, and highlights the work of creators from across the diaspora!

Schedule of Events:

April 26, 2024:

11:00 AM: Graphic Black Histories and Comics in the Classroom

Guests: Tim Fielder, Dr. Walter Greason, John Jennings, William Ellis, Kamau Ware, and Deirdre Hollman

Exciting new visual narratives have been created to aid students in imagining the past and engaging with historical events! Creatives from four dynamic projects share their works, including Kofi’s Fire (Historic Hudson Valley/Blue Telescope); Buffalo Sonnet (Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts/Kamau Studios); The Graphic History of Company (Dr. Walter Greason/Tim Fielder); and Queenie: Godmother of Harlem (John Jennings/Abrams ComicArts-Megascope Books).

12:30 PM: How to Draw Black Superheroes & Comics

Guests: Tim Fielder (Infinitum, DieselFunk Studios)

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

Please Note: If you are a school/youth group interested in reserving seats for this program, please email [email protected].

1:50 PM: Bookin' the Biz! Building a Career in the Commercial Arts

Guests: David Walker, Dr. Shamika Mitchell, Gamal Hennessy, Alitha Martinez, and TJ Sterling

Want to learn how to be in the Comic book industry!? Join us for a fun and thought-provoking discussion on writing, editing and drawing comics. As well as the in and outs of business.

3:30 PM: Say it Proud: Amplifying LGBTQ+ Voices in Comics

Guests: Michael Lamar Simeon, Greg A. Elysee, Vita Ayala, Jason Michael Primrose, and TJ Sterling

Join us for a conversation on how comic creators are expanding and creating exciting spaces for LGBTQ voices in comics, novels, and multimedia.

5:30 PM: Black Comics Trivia Challenge

Guests: Alitha Martinez, Tatiana King, Lateef Adé Williams, and Christine Blanch

Descriptions Think you know Black Comics? The Access Guide to the Black Comic Book Community returns for another Black Comics Trivia Challenge to test that knowledge! Hosted by Christine Blanch, the Awkward Bronx Chick, trivia experts Alitha Martinez, Tatiana King, and Lateef Adé Williams will battle with the audience for the title of Top Blerd.

April 27, 2024:

10:30 AM: The Little Heroes of Color Musical

Guests: David Heredia, Carlos Heredia, Analia Heredia, Ed Cardenas, George Escalante, and Brianna Contreras

Get ready for an exhilarating adventure as the vibrant world of The Little Heroes of Color comes to life! The Little Heroes of Color is a joyous celebration, paying homage to the trailblazing men and women of color whose remarkable achievements reshaped our world. Join us for an unforgettable musical experience that's as entertaining as inspiring!

12:30 PM: “IYANU: Weaving West African Wonder into Animation” Presented by Lion Forge

Guests: Roye Okupe, Kerri Grant, Dawud Anyabwile, and Karama Horne

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the highly anticipated animated series, IYANU coming soon to Cartoon Network and Max based on the popular West African fantasy graphic novel series "Iyanu: Child of Wonder" from YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics.The team behind IYANU will share their journey of bringing the world of the graphic novel to the screen!

2:15 PM: Free Writing: Finding Liberation Through Literature

Guests: Frankey, Michael Simeon, Greg Burnham, and Keisha Parks

Whether it's comics, animation or novels, fans and creatives are creating new worlds where identities and representation can be showcased that mirror authentic and cultural experiences. This conversation will include creatives and influencers who advocate for representation in novels, comics/graphic novels and manga while encouraging their communities to support marginalized creators.

3:50 PM: She's Out There Screaming: Women and the New Golden Age of Black Horror

Guests: Tracey Baptiste, Jazmine Joyner, Ashlee Blackwell, Zin E Rocklyn, Erika Hardison, and Isis Asare

Get ready for a captivating exploration of the dynamic role of women in shaping the resurgence of Black horror. Join us for a conversation delving into the nuanced themes, creative processes, and cultural significance behind their contributions to this flourishing genre. Engage with discussions that highlight the diverse voices and narratives driving the evolution of horror storytelling in contemporary media.

5:30 PM: A Very Black Cosplay Showcase

Guests: ChibiT Cosplay, Sir Julius Cosplay, DJ Gregory Wilson

Join us for A Very Black Cosplay Showcase. Participation is open to attendees of all ages and skill levels. Wanna join the show? Sign up at the Schomburg Center on Saturday, April 27 between 1 PM - 5 PM (slots are limited).

Dates: April 26 - 27, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m.

Location:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,
515 Malcolm X Boulevard,
New York, NY 10037.

Register Here

Click here for more information.