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