Cosplay fans unite! After 20-years in the making, a Black Sci-Fi convention is making its way to Philly this summer and it’s said to be the first of its kind.

“This convention has been a dream of mine for more than 20 years so I am ecstatic that we are now in a place as an organization to host an event specially curated for creators and fans of sci-fi, speculative fiction, and S.T.E.M. innovation,” Maurice Waters, Founder & President of BlackSci-Fi.com said in a statement. “As a small, community centered media organization, we are continuously developing ways we can inspire the imaginations of our community members, and we can think of no better way to do so than to host an event that will showcase creativity and innovation in one space.”

Courtesy of blacksci-fi.com

The 2-day event will celebrate the fandom and creative contributions of Black people to sci-fi, speculative fiction, and S.T.E.A.M. to Philadelphia.

The inaugural theme is “The Future is Now” and will feature expert-led panel discussions, a mixed marketplace filled with authors, artists, and Black-owned businesses, special youth programming on Sunday, S.T.E.M. segments, cosplay, film screenings, and surprise guests.

Creator Maurice Waters and his team hope to make this an annual event for years to come.

“Far too often, Black creators get lost in these big conventions where their work is often overlooked, Tiara Janté, one of the organizers of the convention said in a statement. “We want to create a space that is welcoming to all people, but one that specifically focuses on the work of Black creators and innovators to give them the exposure they deserve.”

Courtesy of blacksci-fi.com

The event will take place August 1st and 2nd at the Sheraton University City Philadelphia. To learn more or to grab tickets, you can visit the website: www.blacksci-fi.com.

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