By Dr. LaWana Richmond
Afro (Future) Con returned to San Diego this fall for its fourth annual event, offering a dynamic platform to celebrate and advance Afrofuturistic science fiction, art, film, writing, and thought. This low-cost, family-friendly event was held at the Educational Cultural Complex from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 31st, and Sunday, September 1st.
Afro (Future) Con, short for Afrofuturism Consciousness Conference, is produced by Firyali, Inc. and benefits Grio’Neers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by LaWana Richmond, EdD.
The opening drum call was delivered by Perceil with meditations and libations from Starla Lewis. Welcome remarks were provided by San Diego College of Continuing Education, Vice President of Student Services, Shakerra Carter; Mariah Jameson on behalf of County Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe, City of La Mesa, Vice Mayor Patricia Dillard, Starla Lewis and Makeda Cheatom, and Dr. LaWana Richmond.
The 2024 event featured panels and presentations on topics such as Drawing and Painting, Video Game Development, Health and Wellness for a Better Future, Pouring Into the (Future) of Our Youth, and Building Bridges for Business and Economic Growth. Presenters included Game Developer Jabari Alii, Sister Cities Project Founder Shawn McClondon, YBNB Founder Roosevelt Williams, Latrell Crenshaw, Therapist Monica Hinton, Youth Program Leaders Tinesia Conwright, Sherinda Bryant, and Matthew Gordon, among others.
The event also included an exhibition and finals for the $10,000 Inclusive Language Art Contest, sponsored by Jennifer Ball of Origin of Alphabet. Attendees arrived early to help select the People’s Choice winner, with all prizes awarded at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 1st. The winners were announced as follows:
1st Place:
- Youth – Aedyn Rice Wilson; It isn’t just US
- Adult – Antoinette Van Sluytman; Growing Pains
2nd Place:
- Youth – Kio “Kiwi” Price; Two Faced Sista
- Adult – Aubree Rose Obano-Van Sluytman; Ebon Nexus of Grey Area
3rd Place:
- Youth – Julian Thomas; The Thinking Sun
- Adult – Abby Sullivan; Embrace Inclusive Language
Grand Prize Winner:
- Monique Holbert; Non-Conformist
People’s Choice Winner:
- Dominique King; Underground Economy
For full stories and photos only published in print, pick up a paper at a newsstand near you, or check out the latest edition of our newspaper on Thursday each week.
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