Blerdcon
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre[1][2]
VenueHyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Location(s)Arlington, Virginia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2017
Websitehttps://blerdcon.com/

Blerdcon is an annual three-day multi-genre convention held during July at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The convention's name comes from the word "blerds", a term for black nerds.[1][3][4] It was co-founded by Hassan Parrish and Hilton George.[5][6] Blerdcon aims to be diverse and inclusive.[3][4]

Programming

Blerdcon typically features cosplay contests, concerts, gaming tournaments, maid café, panels, vendors, and workshops.[1][7][8][9] The gaming room is open 24-hours during the event.[3][8][10]

History

Blerdcon's idea came out of the experience of attending another convention, MomoCon.[1] First year attendance was higher than expected, with 1,800 people.[3] Blerdcon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9][11][12] Blerdcon 2021 required attendees to wear masks and provide their COVID-19 vaccination card.[9] The cosplay contest caused controversy in 2021 due to it being won by a Caucasian female.[13][14] Blerdcon in 2022 continued to have mask and vaccination requirements.[15] The convention had programming on Thursday in 2023.[16]

Event history

DatesLocationAtten.Guests
June 30 - July 2, 2017 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		1,800 (est.)[3]Bec's Cosplay Wonderland and Eric "The Smoke" Moran.[17]
July 27–29, 2018 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Karan Ashley, Mega Ran, Michael "Knightmage" Wilson,[18] Douriean Fletcher, Kevin Grevioux, and Keisha Tucker.[19]
July 12–14, 2019 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Beau Billingslea, Estelle,[20] Shaina “Samuraider” West, and Rachel True.[21]
July 16-18, 2021 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Karan Ashley,[22] Dax ExclamationPoint, Barr Foxx, Roxxy Haze, Wreck it Ronnie, Scotty Swan, Violette Verse, and Yeliz.[23]
July 8-10, 2022 Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		J'adore Cosplay[24] and Orlando Jones.[6]
July 7-9, 2023[16] Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia		Karan Ashley, Ade M'Cormack, Cree Summer, and Rachel True.[25][26]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rozen, Courtney (Jun 30, 2017). "Blerdcon Blends Diversity and Geek Culture". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Allen, Troy-Jeffrey (August 7, 2018). "Adventures at BLERDCON DC". Black Public Media. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Page-Kirby, Kristen (July 26, 2018). "Now bigger and brighter, the 2nd annual Blerdcon has space for everyone". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Showcasing amazing cosplay looks for Blerdcon 2018". WUSA. July 25, 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. ↑ Laws, Khalid (12 July 2022). "Blerdcon returns to Virginia to celebrate Black nerd culture". The National Desk. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  6. 1 2 "At Blerdcon, Black nerds see themselves and find their tribe". TheGrio. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Berko, Katherine (30 June 2017). "'Minority Nerd' Convention Coming to Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  8. 1 2 Lefrak, Mikaela (July 26, 2018). "Blerdcon Is Back: What To Expect From The Convention That Celebrates Black-Nerd Culture". WAMU. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 DeVoe, Jo (16 July 2021). "Inclusive 'Blerdcon' Convention Kicks Off in Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Orobana, Michelle (July 1, 2018). "Blerdcon". Whurk Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "BLERDCON ANNOUNCEMENT". Facebook. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "Blerdcon 2020 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  13. ↑ Cardin, Kathryn (22 July 2021). "White woman wins cosplay contest at convention celebrating Black nerds, sparking outrage". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  14. ↑ Banim, Julia (July 22, 2021). "White Woman Wins Cosplay Contest At Convention Celebrating Black Nerds". UNILAD. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  15. ↑ Chan, Mavis (8 July 2022). "Blerdcon, celebrating Black nerd culture, returns to Arlington today". ARLnow. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  16. 1 2 Wicker, Kay (4 July 2023). "'Fae'd to Black': Blerdcon returns for its 7th year with a star-studded lineup". TheGrio. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "Blerdcon 2017 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  18. ↑ "Blerdcon 2018 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  19. ↑ Pincus, Melanie (20 July 2018). "Blerdcon, 'Fully Inclusive' Convention for Nerds, Returns to Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  20. ↑ "Blerdcon 2019 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
  21. ↑ "3rd Annual Blerdcon Celebrates Diversity in Nerd Culture". The Zebra. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  22. ↑ "Blerdcon 2021 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  23. ↑ Cremen, Alanea (July 16, 2021). "BlerdCon: Why you may see Spider-Man, Batman and more walking around this weekend". WUSA. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "Blerdcon 2022 Information". FanCons.com. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
  25. ↑ Wicker, Kay (8 July 2023). "Blerdcon 2023 opens with a high-energy first day". TheGrio. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  26. ↑ LeTendre, Hallie (7 July 2023). "BlerDCon, celebrating Black nerd culture, kicks off today in Crystal City". ARLnow. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

38°50′55″N 77°3′6″W / 38.84861°N 77.05167°W / 38.84861; -77.05167

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