AfroFuturism Collective in Atlanta!

Hello!
I am Loren Anthony Sci-Fi enthusiast, crafter, cosplayer and director of DarkStarr ! An Atlanta-based sci-fi organization that aims to brings the Southeast's LARGEST (and only) AfroFuturism Convention to fruition in 2016!

What is Afro-Futurism some of you may be wondering?

Afrofuturism is a literary and cultural aesthetic that combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, Afrocentricity, and magic realism with non-Western cosmologies in order to critique not only the present-day dilemmas of people of color, but also to revise, interrogate, and re-examine the historical events of the past. First coined by Mark Dery in 1993, and explored in the late 1990s through conversations led by scholar Alondra Nelson, Afrofuturism addresses themes and concerns of the African Diaspora through a technoculture and science fiction lens, encompassing a range of media and artists with a shared interest in envisioning black futures that stem from Afrodiasporic experiences. Afrofuturism, a term Dery coined in his essay "Black to the Future" (included in Flame Wars) and a key theoretical concept driving the now-established study of black technoculture. In it, he interviews three African-American thinkers—science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany, writer and musician Greg Tate, and cultural critic Tricia Rose—about different critical dimensions of Afrofuturism in an attempt to define the aesthetic. The essay is in part based on Henry Louis Gates's assertion that "[t]he Afro-American tradition has been figurative from its beginnings. How could it have survived otherwise?

Octavia E. Butler
Samuel Delany


DarkStarr is currently organizing smaller events around the city, so Atlanta can be prepared for the big day in October of 2016! Our first event will be supporting artist and graphic novelist Keef Cross  as he introduces the world to his new graphic novel and shortfilm DayBlack. We also have plans for a mixer to introduce Atlanta to Afrofuturism. 
We are currently researching different venues around Atlanta proper that would fit our vast convention! We are open to many different places but were looking into privately/locally owned art cooperatives with the intentions of supporting small businesses and the business economy of Atlanta. Places like the GOAT Farm Arts Center, Aviation Community Center, etc. 

Our mission is to push for social progress and reform within our vast and international community of people of color by promoting, sharing, and displaying the brilliant works of artists in speculative fiction! This will be a space for science fiction to be a creativecatalyst for social reform, expression and creativity.

Our collective  will be broken up into 7 major sections

1. Comic Book creators
We'll have signings and workshops by leaders in the industry
2. Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Adventure Authors (including childrens' books) We'll have signings and panel discussions by leaders in the industry
3. Painters/Sculptors ( All Mediums)  
4. Tattoo Artists 
5. Costume/ Cosplay and Fashion Designers (the more eclectic and funky the better)We'll have signings and workshops by leaders in the industry
6. Filmmakers/ Animators (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adventure, Children's, Thriller, Animation) Film Festival screenings and Q & A with the directors 
7. Musicians/Bands/ Vocalists Full Length Performances 

We will not only feature vendors where the public can purchase products and services from local and international artists ,  we will feature musical performances, children and adult workshops, panel discussions, and a film festival! 

There will be an admission fee for event.  The goal is to have a portion of the proceeds will go to 1-2 schools in the Atlanta area to help fund their science/robotics programs. We're currently meeting with the Kindezi School and Imhotep Academy.  

Why do we need sponsors?  We're going to need help with items like marketing materials:
Fliers
Printed Programs/Schedule of Events 
2 Banners 
Logo Stickers
Business Cards

Operation Costs:
Convention Center Fees
A running ad in Creative Loafing
A running ad in AJC
Trade Show internet service ( So vendor purchases go smoothly and securely without interruption) 
T-Shirts for volunteers and for attendees 
EventBrite account to process ticket purchases

We would also  like to have the funds to host important guests to our wonderful city of Atlanta to speak and/or perform at this major event, we would like to  keep vendors' table rental fees down and still be able to donate a good amount to the schools. 

Our Dream List (partial) of Guests Panelists that we would be HONORED to host:

Astrophysicist Mr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Actor Michael Jai White (Spawn, Black Dynamite)
Actor Samuel L. Jackson
Author /Nebula/Hugo Award Recipient Mr. Samuel Delany
Author Nnedi Okorafor
Recording Artist George Clinton & Parliament
Recording Artist Janelle Monae
Graphic Novelist/ Community Activist Dawud Anyabwile of Brotherman Comics
Graphic Novelist Afua Richardson of Marvel and pilot series "Genius"
Professor/ Illustrator John Jennings
Tattoo Artist Miya Bailey

YOU will be the reason we succeed! Your name will be entered on our programs, and social media sites as our sponsors and there are some extra  in store for major contributors. Free admission to the convention along with a thank you token of our appreciation! 

We have ONE  year to make it happen and make it great! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us! 

We appreciate your belief in us and your support! 

Here's to our future, 
Loren Anthony and the DarkStarr Crew