The Dialogue zone: Exploring Blerd culture

This episode of “Dialogue” explores the world of “Blerds” – Black nerds who navigate the complexities of being passionate about anime, cosplay, gaming, comics and fantasy while existing in predominantly white spaces.

From the magic of cosplay competitions to the challenges of being the only Black person in a D&D campaign, these stories reveal how Blerd culture offers both escape and empowerment.

__ 

GUESTS: 

Patrick Hammie

  • Professor & Chair of Studio Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Artist 

Nikki Keating

  • Oberlin Review Editor-In-Chief
  • Mellon May Research Fellow

Terrence Henderson

  • Founder of Black Bard 




 

 

 

Penny Bradford

Patricia "Penny" Bradford is a senior majoring in journalism and minoring in public relations at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. She is a producer for Dialogue and a native of the Champaign-Urbana area.