For more information, Contact:
Dr. LaWana Richmond
LaWana@firyali.com
619.796.3479
August 11, 2022
Afro Con 2022 Convenes Afrofuturists to Inform, Inspire and Innovate
San Diego -- The second annual Afro Con promises to galvanize untapped creativity, elevate critical
Afrofuturist thinking, and spark collaborative enterprise. Afro Con 2022 takes place Sept. 3-5 at the
Jackie Robinson YMCA (151 YMCA Way, San Diego), with general admission free to the public.
Afro Con, short for Afrofuturism Consciousness Convention, is the birthchild of LaWana Richmond, EdD,
aka Dr. LaWana, who also helped launch the Afrofuturism Lounge five years ago as a Comic-Con after
party. Now an annual standalone gathering that coincides with the iconic San Diego convention, the
Lounge event continues to connect the Black comix community and Afrofuturists across multiple genres.
“This year’s Afrofuturism Lounge illuminated the growing interest in what Afro Con offers; Afrofuturists
are mobilized by their history and uninhibited in their imagination,” Dr. LaWana said. “Set in
Southeastern San Diego at the recently remodeled Jackie Robinson Y, Afro Con 2022 is a reminder that
the city has nurtured many Black visionaries including, Makeda Cheatom, the late Willie Morrow,
RuPaul, even Whoopie Goldberg,” she added.
Afro Con 2022 is the first post-pandemic platform focused solely on highlighting the diverse talents of
emerging Afrofuturists. The event will feature speakers and expert panelists on launching businesses
and investing in artistic ventures.
Afro Con 2022 features keynote speaker community artist Maxx Moses, GTET LLC digital publishing
company founder Winton Shaw, musical artist Kahlil Nash, and concept artist, illustrator, and music
producer Tony Washington.
“Afro Con 2022 advances the alliance of Black comix, scientists, filmmakers, techies, intellectuals and
artists,” Dr. LaWana said.
Afro Con 2022 is sponsored by AfroCon.net, The Conservancy Corp, Firyali Visions, and EDFU Foundation.
Learn more about Afro Con 2022 and register at www.AfroCon.net.
###
July 7, 2022
For More Information, contact:
Shane Harris, shane@sharrisnow.com
213-349-2261
Hundreds to Convene in San Diego for Afrofuturism Lounge 2022
San Diego, CA -- Conceived in 2018 as a meetup for San Diego Comic-Con visitors, Afrofuturism Lounge returns to the city this month as an in-person gathering. Presented by Afrofuturism Lounge founder LaWana Richmond, EdD in collaboration with the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art (SDAAMFA), Freedom Riders for the Future: Afrofuturism Lounge 2022 takes place 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., July 21-22, at the Quartyard.
Freedom Riders for the Future will bring together creatives, visionaries, intellects, community builders, entertainers and others who embody the diverse Black futurist diaspora. Featuring panel discussions, cosplay contests, Black comic book exhibitors and musical performances, a focal point of the 2022 event is "The Buses Are Coming," a SDAAMFA photography, video, sound, and augmented reality exhibition commemorating the civil rights-era Freedom Riders.
“The first Afrofuturism Lounge awakened what Black Panther illuminated – an evolving movement bolstered by an appreciation of our history and its heroes who continue to inspire infinite endeavors,” Richmond said. “This year’s lineup will undoubtedly ignite new thought and industry opportunities. Attendees, many of whom are connecting for the first time since the pandemic, represent the emergence of a spectrum of Black-centered art, design, technology, thought leadership, science, writing, filmmaking, storytelling, music, health, and uncharted disciplines.”
The 5th annual Afrofuturism Lounge showcases James Spooner,Tim Fielder, ASCENDtials, Qamar Bradford, Marcus Newsome, Winston Shaw, Broken Chalice Studio, The Afronauts and other Afrofuturists. Register here.
Freedom Riders for the Future: Afrofuturism Lounge 2022 is sponsored by AfroCon.net, Firyali Visions, BSAM San Diego, UC San Diego Indigenous Futures Institute, and EDFU Foundation. Register for the two-day experience at AfrofuturismLounge.com.
###
