#28DaysofBlackCosplay
By C’loni Bailey, EEC Manager for Bookmans Mesa
In recognition of Black History month, #28DaysofBlackCosplay is trending in the Twitterverse as well as on Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram. We immensely enjoy seeing pictures of everyone’s favorite Black cosplayers each day. Initiated by prolific cosplayer Chaka Cumberbatch, @princessology on Twitter and PrincessMentalityCosplay on Facebook, the hashtag exploded with the enthusiasm of the cosplay community, bringing attention to amazing Black cosplayers all over the world. Black cosplayers are often overlooked by the mainstream and #28DaysofBlackCosplay is a welcome expression of inclusiveness in this creative hobby. The hashtag has gained momentum, garnering attention from popular geek news sources like Anime News Network, as well as support from Image comics and the Nerdist.
“As Black nerds, it’s important for us to see images of each other,” Chaka Cumberbatch explains in an interview with Black Nerd Girls.com. “Things are starting to get better, but we still have so few characters of color in our comics, video games, anime, manga and movies. It can be disheartening, never seeing anyone who looks like you in the media you love so much. Being able to physically see Black cosplayers out at cons, literally wearing their fandom on their sleeves is just so intensely satisfying.”
As a Black cosplayer myself, I understand how lonely it can be when you feel like the only Black cosplayer in the room, so it’s an extraordinary thing to see so many Black cosplayers out there with the courage to do what they love to do, regardless of detractors, and the enthusiasm to share their geekiness with the world. You can read more about my personal experiences being a Black cosplayer at vsCosplay.com.
Anyone is welcome to participate in #28DaysofBlackCosplay. Just post a picture of a Black cosplayer on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or Instagram with the hashtag #28DaysofBlackCosplay. Be sure to credit the picture with the cosplayer and photographer if you can! Let’s share these amazing cosplayers with the world!