WHAT IS A BLERD?: Many years ago, the term “nerd” was a dis. The stereotype was of a socially awkward guy (almost always a guy) with poor fashion sense, an armful of textbooks, and always, always, always a pocket protector filled with pens, and the requisite pair of glasses “repaired” with tape in the center (the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds was the quintessential example of these clichés).

At some point, the term was reclaimed as a neutral self-identifier – it was not a bad or good thing – it was just a way of proclaiming that you had a niche interest in something like cartoons or sci-fi or video games.

About 20 years ago, Black folks who had Nerdy interests began specifying that they weren’t just Nerds, they were Black Nerds, or “Blerds.” (Changing the first letters of a word to “BL” signify that it specifically related to Black folks is a tradition dating back to at least the ’70s – just ask Blacula.)
Today, there’s a great many Blerds around the world, and events like ours that cater to them, like Blerd City Con in NYC, or blerDCon in D.C.
Crucially, while most Cons that cater to Nerds will define the term as someone with an interest in LOTR or Marvel movies, we feel that the Black community has more needs than just being entertained. We use a broader definition, one in which a person can have zero interest in superheroes or aliens, but can still be a Nerd for archaeology or math or opera or science – and we would make space for them to represent their unique interests.

WHAT IS BLERDFEST!?: There has been exponential growth in the popularity and influence of “Nerd” culture in recent years – a culture defined by its passionate pursuit of unique interests in Geekdom, the Arts, and Academia.

Representations of that culture often exclude the Black experience, the Black stories, and the Black Storytellers. We, as Black Nerds, or “Blerds,” are trying to change that.

BLERDFEST!, the Gulf Coast’s First & Only Black Nerd Festival, is about representation, education, and inclusion. It is for us, by us, about us.

We will be returning Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11 am – 6 pm
McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School
4000 Roneagle Way (formerly Cadillac St), NOLA, 70122

MISSION: We are dedicated to celebrating Blerd culture, to promoting the pursuit of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) to our community’s youth, to showcasing Black professionals in Blerdy fields, and to creating events that educate, encourage, enrich, and entertain all members of our community.

We are to many Cons what PBS is to Home Shopping Network.

HISTORY: In 2018, BLERDFEST!‘s CEO TRUE became frustrated by the social options in NOLA:

a) Go to a Nerdy event and be the only chocolate chip in the cookie
b) Go to a Black event and be the only one who wanted to talk about why ATLA fans have such beef with Korra
There were no large-scale events for that Venn diagram overlap in which he could be his whole Black & Nerdy self, so he reached out to his community to ask if anyone would be interested in creating something.

We had our first event in 2019, fueled by the idea that in a city known worldwide for its epic festivals, Blerds shouldn’t have to hop on a plane and spend their money elsewhere to celebrate their own culture. COVID deferred our ’20-’22 dreams, but we re-emerged from that unexpected hiatus in 2023 with a renewed focus on helping to facilitate the growth of this energetically unique community. BLERDFEST! 2026 will be our 5th event since 2019.

2026 THEME: Once Upon A Resistance.

ATTENDEES:

“Okay, this event was pretty dope. I got to hold an Oscar.”

—GROOVYEXEGGUTOR

​“An AMAZING experience that I will cherish as long as I live! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us! Truly a blessing!”

—LIVE ACTION ANIMATION, COSPLAYER

“Traveled from Mississippi to experience the very first BLERDFEST! in NOLA. I hope it grows because this is what we need!”

—MILA_ROSE88, INSTAGRAM

“Had an amazing time at BLERDFEST! Thank you! So happy I was able to bring a little San Antonio to NOLA!”

—SMILEJOYLUV
“This was my first con here in my home state and I’m ready to attend more and I can’t wait to go to the next!
—SMSCOTT, INSTAGRAM
GUESTS:

“BLERDFEST! has got real potential – let’s make this as big as Comic Con New Orleans! I’ll be more than happy to help.”

—HANNAH BEACHLER, OSCAR-WINNING PRODUCTION DESIGNER
“The programming, vendors, and especially the panelists were top notch. I want to see this grow into the powerhouse the Gulf Coast needs.”
—ALEX JENNINGS, AUTHOR
“This event has the potential to grow exponentially into a staple event in its niche market, and in the New Orleans community.”
—CHENESE LEWIS, ACTOR

PARTNERS:

“As a BLERDFEST! Partner, we saw the passion and thirst for a Blerd community, which in turn has the potential for massive growth similar to that of the most popular Comic Cons in the country. This event will easily become a destination and we would like to be a part of it.”

—LETICIA THEODORE-GREENE, MYTHIK CAMPS

“BLERDFEST! is a great long-term Partner because it incorporates an educational and personal development component that is central to Mythik Camps’ programming. Blending information about non-traditional professions, STEAM, storytelling, and community pride into the day elevated the event. Plato Learning is on a mission to boost literacy, storytelling, and personal growth and intends to continue collaborating with BLERDFEST! because of our overlapping missions.”

—DR. CRYSTAL BOBB-SEMPLE, ED.D, PLATO LEARNING ACADEMY FOUNDER & CEO
“Thanks to this partnership with BLERDFEST!, we were able to extend our audience and build a relationship with a like-minded organization with complementary resources.”
—GIAN SMITH, BFFNO FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
“Our involvement with BLERDFEST! created an avenue for deeper recruitment and engagement with youth, which is a key area of expansion for the Krewe. Crucially, being involved with the event’s planning has given us the direct experience which will help us scale up our own cultural projects with multi-institutional partnerships.
—DR. SONITA SINGH, MPH, PHD, WOMEN OF WAKANDA REPRESENTATIVE
“Because of the overlap in our missions to bring kids and tech together, being involved with BLERDFEST! has allowed us to expand our reach into our target audience. We’ve had increased interest in all of our programs across the board since the event.”
—KIM THOMAS, JD, IGL FOUNDATION CEO

BLERDFEST! is organized by unpaid Volunteers, some of which have served in their positions since the first planning meetings in 2018.

PDF download link

CALVIN JOHNSON (BRASS BAND) is a Saxophonist, Composer & Bandleader born & raised in New Orleans, who comes from a long line of Jazz musicians. He’s also been featured in HBO’s Treme and Bolden, the biopic about Jazz Legend Buddy Bolden.

HIGHER HEIGHTS (REGGAE) is the most versatile Reggae band around. Coming out of the harsh concrete jungle of New Orleans, they are the living symbol of Reggae inna Babylon. Known for rocking Studio One hits (Bo! Bo!), they also play Roots, Rock, Caribbean, Soca & Dancehall!

GRID SQUID (HIPHOP BAND) is a southern monster-wrangling organization committed to hardcore gangster subversion and converting all listeners to “Gridsquidianism.” You’ve been warned.

DJ CHICKEN (ON THE WHEELS OF STEEL) is a native New Orleanian, and Co-Founder of Definition DJs. He’s been rocking parties for over 30 years, including time spent rocking the airwaves on Power 102.9.

THE BLERDAZONS (GO-GO DANCERS) – Addie Love, Perry Shaw, Synamin Vixen & Nia Weeks – are hot, they’re Blerdy, and they’ll be Go-Go Dancing all night in some of your favorite cosplay outfits! Show them some love and keep those tips comin’!

WORKSHOP: VIDEO GAMING & CODING: Use Microsoft’s Surface Pro to explore digital art, Minecraft coding, and how to make your own video game using makecode. Sponsored by Microsoft.

TALK: RELATIONSHIP GOALS OR DOOM: THE SUPERHERO EDITION: From Black Panther & Storm to Starfire & Nightwing, we’ll discuss the relationships of various Superhero couples in comics, movies & TV, and how they relate to us mere mortals. Presented by Gamma Rae Cosplay.

WORKSHOP: THE PROP & COSTUME SHOP: Attendees will be guided through the makings of a cosplay costume with the help of Louisiana’s young Cosplayers. All finished cosplays may be entered into the Cosplay Throwdown!

GAME: JEOPARDY NOIR: This is a Jeopardy-style trivia game consisting of Blerdy facts about characters, people, and Creators from anime, video games, manga & beyond. Presented by Queen Caleico.

TALK: COSTUME DESIGN WITH MEGAN COATES: Learn how the Professionals design a look so you can be free to create your own version of your favorite character!

WORKSHOP: THE ART & THE MUSIC: Hannibal the Beat Animal will teach Attendees the art of producing music while Monty Stikkman trains them in the ancient paint brush technique.

DON HESS (MODERATOR, “I WAS A BLACK TEENAGE MUTANT”) is an Educator/Administrator in NOLA, Founder of “Share the Culture” Anime Clubs at Alice Harte, McDonogh 35, and Schaumburg.

McDONOGH 35 ANIME CLUB (PANELISTS, “I WAS A BLACK TEENAGE MUTANT”) is one of the “Share the Culture” Anime Clubs founded by Educator/Administrator Don Hess, who also started clubs at Alice Harte and Schaumburg.

WAKANDA MOON: (MODERATORS, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a NOLA-based cosplay group made of the mighty duo of Sailor Uru (Live Action Animation) and Sailor Adamantium (Dom).

GAMMA RAE COSPLAY (PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a Lawyer, Otaku and Cosplayer who loves sharing her cosplay journey and Blerd antics with the world.

NINJA YOYO (PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a Baton Rouge, LA-based cosplayer originally from Mississippi. She has been cosplaying for just over 5 years. She is a full-time lead Graphic Designer, Digital Media Coordinator, and contracted Shirt Designer.

RONDREKA (PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a Baton Rouge, LA native, novice Cosplayer, and J-Fashion enthusiast.

HANNIBAL & MONTY (PANELISTS, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE MALE PERSPECTIVE”) are a masked Producer and a headphone wearing Comic Book Artist. What happens when they get together to talk music, comic book, and political 5h1t on the internet? You get “Hannibal and Monty’s 5h1tshow”!

CHARLES BABB (PANELIST, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) is the Creative Producer of Global Anime at Netflix who has worked in music, manga, anime, TV, film, and games, and is now working on AR and VR projects.

BLERD-ISH (PANELISTS, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE MALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a couple of Blerds who love comics, movies, anime, and pop culture. One of their goals is to highlight as many independent creators through their podcast, website, comic pop up shop, and social media.

MISTASUPABOY (PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE MALE PERSPECTIVE”) is an 8-year veteran in the game. He’s been cosplaying since 2010 and attended his first Comic Con in 2014. He is best known for his spot-on Blade cosplay.

JASON REEVES (PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE MALE PERSPECTIVE”) is an Illustrator who founded the award-winning L.A.-based comic book imprint studio “133art,” which publishes the Glyph Award-winning “OneNation,” the Kickstarter funded “RET:CON,” and the all-ages comic “Kid Carvers.”

ALAINA DUNN (MODERATOR, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) is a true Louisiana local who received her bachelor’s degree from LSU. She is now working to build up her company DuckButterfly Productions.

A TRIBE CALLED GEEK (PANELIST, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) is an award-winning media platform for Indigenous Geek Culture and Stem. Their podcasts, website and social media are a celebration of Indigenous Representation and Geekery.

RUSSELL HENDERSON (PANELIST, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) represents “Afroclectic Podcast,” which seeks to redefine and expand the understanding of Afrocentrism by illuminating the deeper, often untold histories and lived experiences of the Black Aboriginal peoples of North America.

GONZALO ALVAREZ (PANELIST) is a first-gen Chicano Illustrator, Writer, and Designer from Port Arthur, TX, who creates Aztec-based fantasy. He is the Creator of “Borders,” a video game about his parent’s immigration story which received international acclaim.

ALEX LUU (PANELIST, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) is a critically acclaimed Performance Artist, writing/performing Workshop Facilitator and Magazine Editor. His critically acclaimed one-man show “Three Lives” had its debut in LA in 1997.

LIVE ACTION ANIMATION (MODERATOR) is a member of the NOLA-based cosplaying group Wakanda Moon and the host of the YouTube channel “Geeks Are Easy.” She will be moderating the “WE IN THERE” panel, and will also be the Interviewer for our conversation with Black Panther’s Hannah Beachler.

DAWUD ANYABWILE (PANELIST) is an Emmy Award-winning Artist, Illustrator and Co-Creator of the groundbreaking Comic Book Series, “Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline” in the early 1990s, which helped to pioneer the contemporary Independent Black Comic Book movement.

CHARLES BABB (PANELIST) is the Creative Producer of Global Anime at Netflix who has worked in music, manga, anime, TV, film, and games, and is now working on AR and VR projects. He has developed properties for TOKYOPOP, Warner Bros., Activision, Sony PlayStation, and Koei Tecmo.

CHENESE LEWIS (PANELIST) is a Host, Actress, Speaker, and a Positive Body Image Advocate. She has national credits in film, TV, commercials, and as a Plus-Size Model. She has been featured as an expert on Dr. Phil, Huffington Post Live, E! News, Extra, People.com, and USA Today.

Cj PETERS (PANELIST) is the Creator of the gaming company Konsole Kingz, which has launched seven mobile games and apps, including “Black Spades” and “B. Renner Fitness.” He has also produced content for 2K Sports, Capcom, EA Sports, Rockstar Games, Sony, Universal Pictures, Xbox, and others.

Db WELLS (PANELIST) has worked on dozens of TV and film productions. His credits include: NCIS: New Orleans (as Assistant Director); 12 Years A Slave; Django Unchained; G. I. Joe; Green Lantern; Jonah Hex; RED; Treme & more. He also has extensive experience in the comic book industry.

ALEX JENNINGS (MODERATOR) is a Writer/Teacher/Performer living in NOLA, where he MCs and helps run the monthly reading series “Dogfish.” He is the Author of “Here I Come and Other Stories,” and was published in “New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color.”

KYTARA EPPS (PANELIST) is a fat Black Feminist, Public Health Practitioner, and Activist who lives in NOLA. She has been involved in media-based organizing around fatness and race through the Allied Media Conference, and is active in the Black Youth Project 100 organization.

SORAYA JEAN-LOUIS (PANELIST) is a Haitian-born Black Feminist Futurist, Co-Creator of “Wildseeds: The NOLA Octavia Butler Collective.”

DENISE JENA (PANELIST) is a NOLA-based Actress and Writer who is attracted to the weird and otherworldly. She has written several short films, a web series, numerous sketches, and is working on a feature-length screenplay. She is also Co-Host of the “No Lye Podcast.”

KRISTINA KAY ROBINSON (PANELIST) is a Writer, Curator, and Visual Artist born and raised in NOLA whose work centers the intellectual geographies of Black, Afro-Indigenous, and Diasporic peoples. She’s the Co-Editor of “Mixed Company,” a collection of short fiction & visual narratives by women of color.

AMANDA EMILY SMITH (PANELIST) is a Poet, Writer, Sex-Positive Activist, Black Lesbian Feminist and Mom. She is a contributing writer to “Luminiscent Threads: Connections to Octavia E. Butler,” the 2018 Locus Award winner for best non-fiction and 2018 Hugo Award finalist for best related work.

HANNAH BEACHLER (FEATURED GUEST) is the first Black person and first woman to be nominated and to win an Oscar for Production Design (for Black Panther, 2018). Her credits also include Creed, Fruitvale Station, Lemonade, and Moonlight. Her upcoming projects include Y: The Last Man and Dry Run. [NOTE: She would later go on to work on: Beyoncé’s Black is King; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Children of Blood and Bone; Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé; Sinners & much more.]

LIVE ACTION ANIMATION (FEATURED HOST) is a member of the NOLA-based cosplaying group Wakanda Moon and the host of the YouTube channel “Geeks Are Easy.” She will be moderating the “WE IN THERE” panel, and will also be the Interviewer for our conversation with Black Panther’s Hannah Beachler.

PLEASE NOTE: Not pictured: Miel Moore; Silas Thomas Young; Travis Smith Young.