Hey Chicago: Wakandacon 2019 is coming to the Hyatt Regency Place between the 26th and 28th of July.

It’s a three-day, family-friendly, “Afro-futuristic” convention that celebrates “art, community, and technology” and self-expression.

I’m in Canada so I can’t attend, but I’m patiently awaiting photos of the incredible cosplay that’s going to be on display here.

The convention isn’t solely dedicated to pomp and display: According to Wakandacon founder David Barthwell, the gathering was founded not only to celebrate art, but also to showcase the “dreams, aspirations, and authentic representation of Black people.”

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He continues:

“Wakandacon is a space for Black people to look past the present and
into our future.”

Last year, more than 2,500 people and 70 minority-owned vendors attended.

There are a lot of events planned. I’m keeping an eye on this talk, called “Black women in astrochemistry and planetary science!”

“There are fewer than 100 Black women that hold Ph.D.’s in physics in the US and even less for those that are in astronomy,” reads the talk’s summary.

“This discussion will talk about the everyday lives of Black women astronomers at different stages in their careers. While these women will discuss their challenges, contributions to astronomy and they will also answer some of the most mysterious questions in our solar system.”

So, in other words: Get ready to be inspired by some real-life superheroes.

Full weekend badges for Wakandacon are available for $60 and day passes can be purchased for $35 at wakandaconforever.com.

If you plan on going, please send me photos so I can live vicariously through you.