LANGSTON HUGHES STAGE
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THURSDAY
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Thursday, January 13
12:00 PM EST
Lifting as We Climb: A Black Comic Book Festival Story
Ten years ago, the Schomburg Center’s Black Comic Book Festival started with a mission to introduce young, Black and Brown people to books that represented them. Today, the event has grown to become one of the country’s premiere spaces for Black comics, reaching audiences as local as Harlem, NY and as distant as Lagos, Nigeria. Join John Jennings, Jonathan Gayles, Deirdre Hollmanas they reflect on the legacy of this annual event.
Guests: John Jennings, Jonathan Gayles, Deirdre Hollman
Moderator: Kadiatou Tubman - Schomburg Education
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Thursday, January 13
2:00 PM EST
Graphic History: Telling Our Histories through
Comics and the Archives
Graphic novels about historical events are captivating readers of all ages and exposing histories that are not often taught in schools. Join Dr. Rebecca Hall (Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts), David Walker (The Black Panther Party), and Bridgett Pride (Schomburg Center Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Librarian) as they discuss the ins and outs of creating a historical graphic novel, and their impact on literacy today.
Guests: Rebecca Hall, David Walker
Moderator: Bridgett Pride - Schomburg Librarian
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Thursday, January 13
4:00 PM EST
S.T.E.M in Comics: Bridging the gap of current and future technologies in art and comics
Join TJ Sterling (Rae Comics), Dedren Snead (SUBSUME), Newton Lilavois (Motor City Comic Con), Naseed Gifted (PBS Media, LLC), Ryan Benjamin (DC Comics/Sony), and Emeka Chiedu as they discuss the work being done to extend opportunities in technologies of art and comics to historically marginalized groups.
Guests: Newton Lilavois, Emeka Chiedu, Naseed Gifted, Dedren Snead
Moderator: TJ Sterling
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FRIDAY
Friday, January 14
12:00 PM EST
Afrofuturism: The Past, Present, and Beyond
"Afrofuturism: The Past, Present, and Beyond" examines the extraordinary history of Afrofuturism in the arts, scholarship, and activism. The discussion features Ytasha Womack, John Jennings, and Reynaldo Anderson, and will be moderated by Dr. Julian Chambliss.
Guests: John Jennings, Tim Fielder, Ytasha Womack, Reynaldo Anderson, Julian Chambliss
Moderator: Julian Chambliss
Friday, January 14
2:00 PM EST
Black in Anime: Creators Coloring Outside the Lines
Description: Come learn from some of the industry's top talent working in Anime and Comics. The panel features Arthell Isom (Dartshtajio Anime Studio), Johnny O'Bryant (Noir Caesar), Shanice Penn (NanaDesign, Freelance Anime Illustrator), and Sozo Maika (digital illustrator).
Guests: Arthel Isom (dartshtajio anime studio), Johnny O'Bryant (Noir Caesar),
Shanice Penn (freelance anime illustrator), Sozo Maika
Moderator: TJ Sterling
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Friday, January 14
4:00 PM EST
Title: The Future of Black Comics Inside and Outside of the Academy
Description: This reprise of the very first panel discussion at the Black Comic Book Festival in 2011 will explore the ever-expanding field of Black comics scholarship that charts the cultural and historical significance of Black representation in comic books, sequential art, graphic novels, and animation. Featured guests include Rebecca Wanzo (author of The Content of Our Caricature), Qiana Whitted (author of EC Comics: Race, Shock, and Social Protest), and JoAnna Davis-McElligatt (author of the forthcoming BOOM! Splat: Comics and Violence).
Guests: Qiana Whitted, Rebecca Wanzo, JoAnna Davis-McElligatt
Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Gray
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More dynamic programs to be added! Check back frequently...
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SATURDAY
Saturday, January 15
11:00 AM EST
How to Draw Black Superheroes & Comics
Join Tim Fielder (Infinitum, DieselFunk Studios) for a master class on drawing comics. This program is open to all ages, but it is especially geared towards young people ages 5 and up.
Guest: Tim Fielder
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Saturday, January 15
1:00 PM EST
Creating Powerful Women in Comics
Tune in to this bold panel featuring Robyn Smith (Nubia, Marisole, Wash Day Diaries), Jamila Rowser (Wash Day Diaries, Ode to Keisha), Shawnelle & Shawnee Gibbs (Ghost Roast, The Invention of E.J. Whitaker) who are both pushing the boundaries and keeping it real when it comes to scripting and illustrating powerful women characters in comics and graphic novels. Collectively, their diverse works represent the limitless possibilities for women in comics.
Guests: Robyn Smith, Jamila Rowser, Shawnelle Gibbs, Shawnee Gibbs
Saturday, January 15
3:00 PM EST
The Comic Book Spectrum: Curating Safe and Brave Spaces
Join Regine Sawyer (LockettDown Productions), Cerece Rennie Murphy (VirtuousCon), Robyn Warren (Geek Girl Strong), Clairesa Clay (Blerd City Comic Con), Chauna C. Lawson (HBCU Con) they explore how comic book event producers create safe and brave spaces committed to creativity, courage, and community.
Guests: Cindy Cortez from Sonic Boombox, Robyn Warren from Geek Girl Strong, Clairesa Clay from Blerd City Comic Con, Chauna C. Lawson from HBCU Con
Moderator: Regine Sawyer
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Saturday, January 15
5:00 PM EST
Comic Books & Big Screens: How Comic Creators Are Making Their Way Through Film and TV
Description: Join Prentice Penny, David Crownson, Sebastian Jones, and URAEUS as they discuss the ins and outs of how to create a successful comic and get it made for TV.
Guests: Prentice Penny, David Crownson, Sebastian Jones, URAEUS
Moderator: TJ Sterling
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More dynamic programs to be added! Check back frequently...
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NOTE: Due to the changing circumstances with regards to COVID cases, this event will now be fully virtual. Patrons can still register for events and panels online. The exhibition, Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures, will be on display at the Schomburg Center from Jan 14, 2022.
