The costumes of BlerDCon

André Chung

July 3, 2017

The inaugural BlerDCon, a comic convention created by and catered toward black nerds, went down from June 30 to July 2 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and brought out thousands of cosplayers of color from across the country to take part in just one of the many popular conventions taking over the country throughout the year. For years, the world of cosplay has been growing rapidly, with events such as ComicCon and Awesome Con — which was held in the Washington, D.C., area last month as well — taking over convention centers from Jacksonville to Minneapolis to San Diego. And while this universe has been growing, there have been some places that have not been completely welcoming to nerds of all backgrounds. That led to the creation of BlerdCon (black + nerd + convention), which prides itself on practicing intersectional inclusivity, representing different races, genders, sexual orientations and abilities (a costume creator from Spring Hill, Florida, incorporates his wheelchair into his art), all under the umbrella of “nerd.”

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Maia Jones, of Newport News, VA, portrays Eraserhead from My Hero Academa. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

Maia Jones, of Newport News, VA, portrays Eraserhead from My Hero Academa. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
Ronnie Spruill, of Garfield, NJ, portrays Superman, and Terrell Williams, also of Garfield, as Batman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

Ronnie Spruill, of Garfield, NJ, portrays Superman, and Terrell Williams, also of Garfield, as Batman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Power Rangers from Savannah, GA: Jerry Pringle, White Ranger; Cree Michelle Rogers, Yellow Ranger; André Johnson, Blue Ranger; Aaron Pringle, Black Ranger; Natalie Pringle, Pink Ranger; Chris Housey, Red Ranger. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Power Rangers from Savannah, GA: Jerry Pringle, White Ranger; Cree Michelle Rogers, Yellow Ranger; André Johnson, Blue Ranger; Aaron Pringle, Black Ranger; Natalie Pringle, Pink Ranger; Chris Housey, Red Ranger. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Ronald Seaman, of Springhill, FL, whose cosplay handle is Aracknoid3, as Iron Merman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Ronald Seaman, of Springhill, FL, whose cosplay handle is Aracknoid3, as Iron Merman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Vishavjit Singh, of Harlem, as Sikh Captain America. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Vishavjit Singh, of Harlem, as Sikh Captain America. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Akyra Ingalls, of Atlanta, whose cosplay handle is TokyoAkyra, as MJ Venon. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Akyra Ingalls, of Atlanta, whose cosplay handle is TokyoAkyra, as MJ Venon. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Gerrard Davis, of Hyattsville, MD, portrays the Beast, from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Gerrard Davis, of Hyattsville, MD, portrays the Beast, from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Liana Walker, of Aberdeen, whose cosplay handle is Ballistic Moon, portrays Cell from Dragonball Z. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Liana Walker, of Aberdeen, whose cosplay handle is Ballistic Moon, portrays Cell from Dragonball Z. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Richard Guy and Jennifer Carrion, of La Plata, MD, portray Black Panther and Catwoman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Richard Guy and Jennifer Carrion, of La Plata, MD, portray Black Panther and Catwoman. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Everett Collins, of Newport News, VA, portrays Chief Thunder from Killer Instinct. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Everett Collins, of Newport News, VA, portrays Chief Thunder from Killer Instinct. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Chauna C Lawson, of DC, whose cosplay handle is CC the Greek Geek, portrays Chun Li from Streetfighter. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Chauna C Lawson, of DC, whose cosplay handle is CC the Greek Geek, portrays Chun Li from Streetfighter. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Bill Johnson, of Harlem, whose cosplay handle is Uptown Bill 007, portrays the Silver Surfer, from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Bill Johnson, of Harlem, whose cosplay handle is Uptown Bill 007, portrays the Silver Surfer, from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Angela Cummings, of Silver Spring MD, whose cosplay name is ARenee Cosplay, portrays Poison Ivy. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Angela Cummings, of Silver Spring MD, whose cosplay name is ARenee Cosplay, portrays Poison Ivy. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Lynne Marie Finley, of Winchester, VA, whose cosplay handle is Lynne Marie, portrays a Dragon. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Lynne Marie Finley, of Winchester, VA, whose cosplay handle is Lynne Marie, portrays a Dragon. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Thomas Walker, of Aberdeen, MD, as Kakashi from Naruto. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Thomas Walker, of Aberdeen, MD, as Kakashi from Naruto. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Danielle Vinis, of Lindenwold, NJ, whose cosplay handle is Sakari Amunet, as Danielle Moonstar, from the X-Men. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Danielle Vinis, of Lindenwold, NJ, whose cosplay handle is Sakari Amunet, as Danielle Moonstar, from the X-Men. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Mailika States, of Tyson's Corner, VA, whose cosplay handle is Maidenhellxo, as Lady Death from Coffin Comics. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Mailika States, of Tyson's Corner, VA, whose cosplay handle is Maidenhellxo, as Lady Death from Coffin Comics. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Quinton Nottingham, of Portsmouth, VA, as Steampunk Batman, and Susan Hamilton, of Yorktown, VA, as Steampunk Harleyquinn. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Quinton Nottingham, of Portsmouth, VA, as Steampunk Batman, and Susan Hamilton, of Yorktown, VA, as Steampunk Harleyquinn. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Alfinie Bullock, of DC, whose cosplay handle is Skazekage, portrays Gaara, from Naruto. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Alfinie Bullock, of DC, whose cosplay handle is Skazekage, portrays Gaara, from Naruto. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Ariel Fortiz, of Bowie, MD, whose cosplay handle is Leira Cosplays, as Attila/Altera from Fate Extella. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Ariel Fortiz, of Bowie, MD, whose cosplay handle is Leira Cosplays, as Attila/Altera from Fate Extella. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Vanessa Cruz Sosa, of Arlington, as Harleyquinn. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Vanessa Cruz Sosa, of Arlington, as Harleyquinn. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Shawn Andrew, of Brooklyn, portrays the Red Skull from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Shawn Andrew, of Brooklyn, portrays the Red Skull from Marvel. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)
CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Wesley Thomas, of Philadelphia, portrays Wonder Wesley. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)

CRYSTAL CITY,VA - July 1, 2017: Wesley Thomas, of Philadelphia, portrays Wonder Wesley. BlerDCon is the first nerd convention organized for people of color. (André Chung for The Undefeated)