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Giving Voice To Those Who May Not Feel Heard With Local Superhero Event

Lisa Barry

A special "comic-con" type event is being planned in Ypsilanti called "Hero Nation-Ypsilanti."

Organizer Jermaine Dickerson says it's an event designed to give a voice to those who might not feel heard.  It celebrates superheroes and diversity with the mission that everyone has a hero inside of themselves that deserves to be celebrated.

Dickerson joined 89.1 WEMU'S Lisa Barry for a conversation about the free, family-friendly event taking place on September 9th at the Parkridge Community Center from 1-6 p.m.

Credit Hero Nation Ypsilanti

The free, family-friendly event will include many different elements.  There will be free toys handed out to children that were donated by the community, as well as free school supplies.  There will be a steampunk character building workshop. If you've ever wanted to get into steampunk but not sure where to start, Aiesha of Midwest Black Speculative Fiction Alliancewill discuss the film short "SteamFUNK" and "Rococoa: A Black Victorian Fantasy" (steampunk as it pertains to people of color) and lead a steampunk character building workshop.

Credit Lisa Barry

Citywide Poets youth will be leading a workshop that morphs fan fiction and poetry. Participants will analyze poetry by famed authors and craft work of their own.  There will also be a live performance of original work from YaKuZa Moon, A'Janae (Sombade), and EldricLaron.

Participants will also be able to hang out with Ed Williams, founder of Arclight Comics based in Atlanta, Georgia, as he walks you through how to turn your story into a platform that creates more of what you want to see put into the world.  In this workshop, you’ll discover your unique voice, personal brand and mission, learn how to project your story through social media, and why you can no longer keep your story to yourself—and learn why the world needs to hear it.

Credit Lisa Barry

There will be a "Wonder Women of Ypsi panel." From educators to community leaders, Ypsilanti is full of amazing women who have deeply influenced the community in various ways. “Wonder Women of Ypsi” highlights these amazing women, their achievements, and their powerful stories.

There will also be free food and free gaming opportunities with prizes.

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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
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