Black geeks, Blerds, Cosplayers they affectionately & proudly call themselves. Just in time for Black History Month, #28daysofcosplay

Think dressing up in costumes, Marvel, superheroes, TV & movie characters, loving sci-fi, fantasy & space shows, talking science and technology -- think all that is only for white people? THINK AGAIN.

Meet this panel of only a handful of the thousands of Black folks who live this Black geek, blerd, cosplay life.

Who are they? What goes on in this world? Are they regular folks like everyone else...who just happen to become their favorite characters from time to time?

Meet Montel Thompson aka navymontel https://www.instagram.com/navymontel/

Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers:

"Honestly, one of the biggest misconceptions that I have encountered is because we're fans of certain things that we don’t know how to function in society. There’s a certain level of observed immaturity that goes along with that accusation. On the contrary, we are just as productive and contributed to society as anybody else. The thing that sets us apart from the rest of the crowd is that when the day is done, we don’t have to go to clubs, get drunk and cause any kind of trouble or drama. we hang out with our own tribe and we create things that make ourselves and others happy."

Teresa Kennedy, a Sales Administrator, Geek, blerd & aspiring cosplayer ready to dip her toe and ankle into big time cosplay

Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers: "I think outside people would probably be surprised at who considers themselves to be Blerds/Black geeks and who the cosplayers are. There may be coworkers or acquaintances who are cosplayers and they have no idea."

Allison Joyner, Freelance Journalist and Content Strategist for Allison Joyner Enterprises Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers: "the love of their fanverse is obsession"

Channing Scott Sherman, Co-Founder Black Geeks of DragonCon Biggest misconception about Black geeks/blerds/cosplayers:

"We are all the same. There are MANY ways to be a blerd."