Last October 11, I had the honor of creating and running Diversity Comic Con at the college where I teach SUNY | Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan. It was a culmination of my two passions, comic books and event organizing!
We had quite a star-studded line-up of guests including Vivek Tiwary, Heather Antos, Trevor Von Eeden, Larry Hama, Sean Chen, Dean Haspiel, Heidi MacDonald, Adriana Melo, Jim Salicrup, Robyn Chapman, Reilly Brown, Andrea Colvin, Janice Chiang, Kristen Gudsnuk, Tea Fougner, Chris Sotomayor, Joan Hilty, Brendan Leach, Sasha Matthews and many, many more!
There were eight panel discussions, a cosplay pageant, over 20 press mentions, 2.5K social media likes, and over 400 attendees. Not bad for a first time con. We’re already gearing up for next year so let me know if you’d like to be part of Diversity Con 2019.
Pictures below by Janie Ho.
Keynote address by Vivek Tiwary.
FIT Grad and exhibitor Karina Kirsanova.
Some students horsing around with Zorikh Lequidre.
Comic creator Indira Jiananan.
Artist Stan Chou.
Micheline Hess talking to some fans.
Matt Kelly, writer of Highlander.
Cartoonist and FIT grad, Emily Ree.
Epik Comix from the Philippines!
Comics editor and diversity advocate Heather Antos registering.
Students checking out the exhibitors.
Batman aka Ron Milon, FIT Chief Diversity Officer, without whom this wouldn’t have happened.
Drawn To Diversity Exhibit from Alfred University.
Fans chat with HenchGirl creator, Kristen Gudsnuk.
The 2018 FIT Div Con student volunteers!
Cosplayers come in all shapes, colors and sizes!
Students checking out the FIT Illustration MFA program.
Diversity in Comics panel with Micheline Hess, Trevor Von Eeden, Janice Chiang and Vivek Tiwary. Moderated by Heather Antos (covered).
Epik Comix artist Jim Jimenez working on a commission.
Cartoonist Kathleen Kralowec.
DC artist Lynne Yoshii.
Arists/writers Mel Hioki and Stan Chou.
Comics As An Artform panel with Larry Hama and Dean Haspiel.
Cosplayers!
Some FIT press.
Brazil is in the house!
Batman artist Trevor Von Eeden and FIT faculty and comic create Jerome Walford poses with fans.
Betty & Veronica art director and FIT grad, Jena Kane!
Artist James Rodriguez.
The Future of Comics panel with Heather Antos, Sasha Matthews (14 years old), Jim Salicrup and Heidi MacDonald. Photo by Scott Matthews
Our tiniest fan.
Joe Corallo from ComicMix!
Chibi artist Hon Bun Leung!
Women in Comics Collective International founder Regine Sawyer.
Exhibitors watching the Cosplay Pageant.
The Cosplay Pageant emceed by Lora Nicolas (front left)
Here are some of the press we got:
Cult Faction
Comic Creators of Colour Fight Back- Diversity Comic Con stands for Inclusion of all Stories and Creators
FIT Newsroom
Diversity Comic Con
The College Fix
School’s ‘Civility Week’ will feature ‘diversity’ comic convention
Comics Experience
CE COMMUNITY MEMBER HEADS DIVERSITY COMIC CON!
Bleeding Cool
The Week After NYCC, New York is Host to Diversity Comic Con
Pop Culture Uncovered
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HOSTS DIVERSITY COMIC CON
The Inquirer
Fil-Am writer sets up Diversity Comic Con for creators of color
Convention Scene
FIT Announces Diversity Comic Con
The FilAm
Diversity Comic Con for creators of color happening on Oct 11
Graphic Policy
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HOSTS A FREE DIVERSITY COMIC CON THIS OCTOBER
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