This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson.

Donald Glover, Laver, and Cree Summer. These people aren't just talented artists. They're part of the

Vanguard of black nerd culture that's gone from the fringes to the mainstream in entertainment.

But with the racist backlash against black characters and everything from House of the Dragon

to interview with a vampire to Dr. Who, where is there a safe space for black

sci-fi and genre geeks to hang out?

That's what Kahn's about.

It's about positive fandoms, like you come to something because you liked something.

Geeking out at blurred con coming up on a word with me Jason Johnson stay with us.

Welcome to a word a podcast about race and politics and everything else. I'm your

host Jason Johnson. It's convention season and nerds everywhere may be

suiting up to attend the cons

gatherings of hardcore science fiction comic book fantasy or anime

phandoms and so a word is going on the road to blurred con in Crystal City

in the suburbs of Washington DC.

The gathering created for and by African-American fans.

Of course, everyone is invited, but as the Con enters its eighth year and the crowds of

cos players, video game enthusiasts, and nerds of all kinds

have swelled to over 10,000 attendees,

the energy is definitely focused on Black Joy. On today's show, we have two special guests who will be featured at BlurdCon

here to talk about Black Nurddom and their careers and experiences.

The first is Jay Washington. He's a former professional

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