BLERDFEST! 2020
PLEASE NOTE: BLERDFEST! 2020 was canceled mid-planning due to COVID; the list below represents our tentatively scheduled Guests.
GONZALO ALVAREZ
(PANELIST, “THE MUTATION OF THE AMERICAN NERD”) 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.
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.
MEGAN COATES
(WORKSHOP LEADER, “COSTUME DESIGN WITH MEGAN COATES”) is a Costume Designer, Stylist & Visual Artist who works in the film/TV, music video, commercial & print industries. Her work can be seen in Ava, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, The Lovebirds, and more.
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.
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.
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”!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
RONDREKA
(PANELIST, “BLACK MUTANTS IN NERD CULTURE: THE FEMALE PERSPECTIVE”) is a Baton Rouge, LA native, novice Cosplayer, and J-Fashion enthusiast.
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.
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).
