Those interested in all things nerdy are invited to attend AfroCon 2021 on Saturday virtually.
Jade Rogers, an adjunct professor at Metropolitan Community College and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, founded the event as well as the nonprofit organization putting it on, House of Afros, Capes, and Curls. She did so to provide safe spaces for people of color to congregate around topics like anime, board games and science fiction.
Rogers helped create the first AfroCon in 2019 after attending other conventions where she was often one of a handful of people of color.
“I am comfortable in those spaces, but not everyone of color is and you're not always welcomed in those spaces,” Rogers said. “So I wanted to change the way that we convene and we celebrate the things that we like and love in nerdom.”
She adds the convention doubles as a space to educate those interested about the many careers involved in “nerdom.”
Due to concerns over the pandemic, this convention will be held virtually and will feature lectures, trivia, performances, open mic and more. This year's theme is "Joy and Magic."