PRESS RELEASE
Illustration by 133art’s Jason Reeves and Luis Guerrero
MECCAcon 2016 #MECCAcon2017
September 16, 2017
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward, Detroit, MI
*** $10 asked donation includes the ENTIRE conference! ***
Midwest Ethnic Convention for Comics and Arts – MECCA presents
MECCAcon 2017 #MECCAcon2017
DETROIT- Midwest Ethnic Convention for Comics and Arts – MECCA, aka MECCAcon, is a large comic book/literacy convention and international film festival held annually in Detroit, MI. The primary reason M.E.C.C.A was established was to instill knowledge primarily in the younger art culture. It is my mission to make sure that children know that all “heroes” do not look the same, that many actually look just like THEM. It is also important to learn the origin of comic books, what the historical facts come from, and what the word “hero” actually derives from.
Photo Credit, NayMarie Photography
Unlike many “comic cons”, we don’t just focus only on comic books. Art has several mediums, and we want to highlight them all. MECCAcon will highlight comics, international/independent film, afrofuturism, science fiction, steampunk, fine art, music, graffiti, dj artists, handmade artisans, african belly dance, urban gardening, fashion, african martial arts, and more.
Along with the comic book convention, we also have a full international film festival that runs all day along with the comic con. Since we introduced the film festival to MECCAcon in 2015, we have had award winning filmmaker Ka’ramuu Kush curate, as well as prominent indie filmmakers such as Jackie J. Stone, Evita Castine, dream hampton, Nosa Igbinedion, Omar DISTRKT Jones, Daye Rogers, Korstiaan Vandiver, Abdul Ndadi, Peter Tukei Muhumuza, Donnie Leapheart, Tony Patrick, Pete Chatmon, Yolonda Ross, Jay Sweet, Pete Tekei Muhumuza, Roye Okupe, Zwelesizwe Ntui, Derek Dow, Solomon Onita, Jr, Xavier Burgin and many more.
While comic books are the main focus, we want to make sure that ALL forms of art are highlighted. Our international independent film festival is a huge part of this event. We highlight independent films from creators of the African diaspora. Short films are primary, but feature films have been added as well. Each year is centered around a different theme.
At the end of the day, art is and always will be ART, creative expression.
Photo Credit, NayMarie Photography
Bring the ENTIRE family!
Celebrate the HERU in YOU!
Event activities include:
MECCAcon International Film Festival
AFROFUTURISM
SPECULATIVE FICTION
WORKSHOPS
PANELS
Midwest Black Speculative Fiction Alliance
LECTURES
HEROES UNLIMITED: Black Cosplay
MEDIA OF THE FUTURE
MSU Graphic Novels Club
Black Speculative Arts Movement
BACK2BLACK: Accuracy vs Acceptance in Today’s Comics
BLACK PUBLISHER’S Panel
Battledream Chronicle: DETROIT premiere
Afrolatinos Tele: DETROIT premiere
Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker – A Graphic Novel
+ more!
Super Sikh, Is’Nana: The Were-Spider, and Watson and Holmes round out some of the awesome titles that will be at this year’s MECCAcon 2017!
Guests who will be in attendance
N Steven Harris
TheOneWillFocus
NayMarie Photography
Taji Mag
133art
Artist Jason Phillips
Clifton Jamaal Perry
Reynaldo Anderson/ Afrofuturism 2.0, BSAM co-founder
Tony Patrick
Women Creating Comics
Eileen Kaur Alden/ Supersikhcomic
Aiesha Little
Karl Bollers/ Watson and Holmes
Kurt Bollers/ MFC MEDIA HO– — — — USE
Brian Johnson
Dominique Stockman/ The Microphone Misfitz
Greg Anderson Elysée/ Is’nana The Were-Spider
A. M. Griffin
Stephanie Williams
+ MORE!
For more information head to the links below:
http://MECCAcon2017.eventbrite.com
Http://Facebook.com/midwestethnicconventionforcomicsandarts
