His sister-in-law told him about AfroCon, and this year he decided he wanted to go. Cardwell said he can easily relate to not having a community, let alone a community of other blerds, to talk nerdy shop with when he was younger. He said AfroCon fills that niche.

“It’s that space,” said Cardwell. “Being able to express myself about anime and games and comics and everything and not have to be judged, and also being able to explain that and get other people’s feedback.”

Just inside the event space were a few rows of tables, where local artists and vendors were set up. One of those artists was Michael Clark, who was selling an array of crocheted goods, one of which was a large taco pillow. This was Clark’s fourth AfroCon, but she like many at the con, had been a blerd for much longer.

“I think it was more difficult growing up to be a blerd, because on one hand, all my white friends are like, ‘yeah, we all love this media, we love these games.’ And then in Black communities is like, ‘oh no, she’s doing white stuff,’” said Clark. “It was harder because then it’s code switching between those communities.”