BLERDTINO@MOCOMCON: Black & Latino Comic Con Progr
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Innovation Synopsis
Montgomery County Public Libraries launched its inaugural MoComCon convention in 2017. Since then, the all-day celebration of pop culture, fandoms, comics and graphic novels has become a signature annual MPCL event and one of the largest free comic conventions in the Mid-Atlantic area. Breaking new ground this year, with a $12K grant from the MSL, we added a new component, BLERDTINO @ MoComCon to provide a platform for Black and Latino “Nerd” communities within the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Our goal was to offer programming and engaging speakers that appealed to our incredibly diverse population in Montgomery County. We did this in part, by bringing in well-known Black and Latino rising stars within the industry to speak and share their art.
Challenge/Opportunity
Black and Latino youth encounter many challenges today, including systemic racism, cultural underrepresentation, limited access to resources and educational disparities. Conventional comic conventions frequently exclude these populations in their programming contributing to a lack of engagement within the industry.
BLERDTINO @ MoComCon offered a unique platform by celebrating events through an inclusive, multicultural lens. Highlights included:
- Songwriting workshops
- Live DJ sets from the Mid-Atlantic Scratch League
- Cosplay for Black and Latino Creatives
- Lineup of artists and performers from the Black and Latino nerd/fandom culture community
- Lectures on the evolution of Nerdtino and Latino Comic conventions
- Exhibits of promotional music memorabilia and pop culture fandom
Key Elements of Innovation
As the 1st ever Mid-Atlantic Black and Latino Comic Con, BLERDTINO @ MoComCon
- Explicitly highlighted and uplifted black and Latino youth.
- Empowered the next generation of creators, readers, and leaders by emphasizing the importance of quality education, literary programming, and positive engagement in a safe space.
- Celebrated the diverse experiences of Black and Latino youth, fostering an environment where they can embrace their identities as "Blerds" (Black Nerds) and "Nerdtinos" (Latino Nerds).
- Promoted positive role models.
- Embraced unique and diverse backgrounds and identities
Achieved Outcomes
Attendance exceeded expectations, with over 5500 participants, effectively providing valuable opportunities for underserved communities to learn more about library offerings. In addition, we welcomed attendance from a Federal Agency, The Patent and Trademark Office, that engaged with young people on the value of STEM and science careers during the event. This was the first time a federal agency exhibited at our annual comic con event. This event stands as a testament to MCPL's dedication to fostering diversity, inclusion, and empowerment through innovative programming and community engagement initiatives. This significant increase in attendance demonstrates the program's success in engaging and serving the targeted Black and Latino youth, as well as ESL learners. The event successfully provided an inclusive environment where attendees could express themselves, develop essential skills, and engage with literature and pop culture.
