Chicago-area siblings David, Ali and Matthew Barthwell are gearing up for the world's first WakandaCon.
Yes, you read that right.
The Barthwell tribe is bringing our Black Panther fantasy world, Wakanda, off the screens and into reality. The first-ever WakandaCon will be a place for black, thinkers, creators and innovators to gather this summer in Chicago.
"Our people have been hungry for something like this for a very long time, and I hope that Wakandacon only adds to the fire," David Barthwell, creator, and co-founder, told Blavity. "It should be something that people remember fondly, and as having been great fun! We also want to show the world that we're out here and that representation and inclusiveness make for good business."
David said he was shocked to his core after seeing Black Panther.
"To finally see a place like Wakanda – the sheer joy, the subversiveness, the vibrancy and the raw emotion of it – I truly lost myself," David said. "I realize now, that I never truly understood wanting to transport myself to another place. I wanted to capture a bit of that here and create something new and positive – a celebration of technology, of representation and good old-fashioned nerdery."
Growing up, Ali Barthwell who is handling social outreach for WakandaCon, said she was inspired to help create an event like this because she experienced little representation in films and books as a young girl.
"When I saw Wakanda in film for the first time, I saw so many different kinds of women who had their own unique strengths and points of view," Ali told Blavity. "If I was a little girl, I would have been able to pick who I wanted to be instead of having to pick one character by default. Wakanda is a place where every person's achievement comes from their unique strength. In Wakanda, power comes from equality and collaboration."
During WakandaCon participants can expect for there to be a range of activities to participate in. The Barthwell's are preparing for there to be discussions on Afro-futurism in literature and film as well as workshops centered around comics book and tech. There will be opportunities for people across different disciplines to network with leaders in mental health, politics and social activism. There'll also be tons of entertainment. "We want Wakandacon to be fun! Music, cosplay, art, dance, podcasts, gaming," Ali said.
The siblings were born and raised near Chicago. Their connection to the city fueled their decision to host the first WakandaCon in the Windy City. Growing up, the Barthwell's were heavily influenced on African history and the importance of civil rights. They said they took trips to the DuSable Museum in Chicago and grew up surrounded by West African art.
Matthew Barthwell, who is leading logistics for WakandaCon said, "My siblings and I were all born and raised in the area, and Chicago is the city that we love. We hope that Wakandacon will not just be an event for people of Chicago but for people all over to come and attend."
There is no ticket price yet for WakandaCon, but they are aiming to make it affordable for all socioeconomic backgrounds to attend and experience the magic. WakandaCon, at the moment, is not endorsed or sponsored by Marvel.
WakandaCon is more than just an event. Ali said that WakandaCon is unique for its mission to bring thought leaders together.
"We want Wakandacon to be more than just a celebration of pop culture. Afro-Futurism is about imagining a future for Black people all around the world," Ali said. "Wakandacon is a space for Black people to look past the present and into our future. We're hoping to bring together leaders in tech, public health, and activism to create a discussion about how we can bring Wakanda to life."
In the words of the founders, "Wakandacon will be a celebration of Afrofuturism, tech, gaming, fashion and so much more."
