So this past weekend Onyxcon returned to the ATL. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it but I was there in spirit celebrating with my fellow Wakandans.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of attending with a couple of friends including my fam Kiyra and my date, J.

Suffice it to say, I scored with plenty of swag and spent quite a bit of cash. It’s all good as I’m all too happy to support black businesses. As I chatted with my peeps, something struck me as odd. I’ve been to plenty of cons over the years, as both a guest and an attendee. I’ve had some wonderful experiences, and I’ve had some less than pleasant ones.

This was the first time I attended a Black convention. It’s always interesting to note the difference of energy between marginalized spaces and mainstream straight white spaces. This isn’t to say that minorities are infallible because we aren’t. However at the same time, it’s always refreshing to lower my guard and enjoy myself in a non-hostile environment. Onyxcon is doing a lot of things right that quite frankly mainstream cons/fandoms should be taking notes from.

Here are a few examples:

1) Black Female Cosplayers WERE NOT attacked for being Black Female Cosplayers. There was this one tall beautiful dark skinned sister who rocked a badass Michonne. People gathered and took pics and complimented her on the ensemble.

2) Female fans were not questioned on their geek credentials or accused of being Fake Geek Girls. In fact I think there may have been more women in attendance than there were men which is pretty awesome.

3) Children are a priority.

One thing I really appreciated about Onyxcon is that it’s family friendly and there were events and activities with children in mind. Events and activities that both entertained and educated children on a level they could appreciate.

4) I was able to be out and relaxed as an LGBTQ.

I took a date to the event and I felt completely comfortable and safe. As an LGBTQ, that’s hasn’t always been the case at conventions, particularly white mainstream ones where I’ve had to check a few homophobes more than once. And yet we were welcomed and treated like family. But do tell me again how black people are more innately homophobic because something something something Dan Savage something something.

5) This con was inclusive.

My date J was the only  white person in attendance and he was warmly greeted and treated with respect and like a human being. Something that hasn’t always been the case for myself and other PoCs when we’ve attended predominantly white cons, to say the least.

6) It was a positive and uplifting experience.

We were able to celebrate our culture, our history, our legacy in a safe environment, which again for POCs, that’s extremely rare when it comes to fandom.

7) Fun was had by all.

Fandom, take note. Here’s one con that’s doing it right. Not surprising, because that’s how Black Excellence gets down.

BATTLE ON WAKANDANS!!!!!