On Saturday, November 5, from 12-5 p.m., artists, authors, gamers, musicians, STEM creators, and cosplay aficionados will converge on the MiraCosta College Oceanside Campus, located at 1 Barnard Drive, for the inaugural Black and Brown Nerds Expo.

“The Black and Brown Nerds Expo is a free space to educate, celebrate, and participate in arts, comics, literature, gaming, pop culture, businesses, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math from different cultures and communities of color,” said organizer Jd Banks, MiraCosta College’s Interim Student Services Specialist in the Student Equity Department. “This is the first expo of its kind to include creators and nerds identifying as Black, African, African-American, Latinx, Chicanx, Arab, Middle Eastern, Asian and Southeast Asian, Indian, Native American and American Indian, Filipinx, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color.”

The Black and Brown Nerds Expo grew from the Black Nerds Expo, which Banks founded several years ago as part of the programming during Black History Month. The impetus for the Black and Brown Nerds Expo, Banks said, came from Beatriz Palmer, Service Learning Program Manager at MiraCosta College.

Highlights of the upcoming festival include family friendly activities; presentations on nerd topics such as art, literature, science, tech, engineering, math (STEM), pop culture, cosplay, and performing arts; presentations related to the Black and Brown Nerds Expo theme: When Worlds Unite–Unity through storytelling, history, and rhythm; a panel on podcasting; an exhibitor hall with 30 creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders from as far north as Oakland and as far east as Texas; as well as informational booths promoting MiraCosta College programs and services.

Attendees can also participate in games, take part in presentations on nerd topics, listen to live music, enjoy dance performances, and compete in cosplay contests with special guest judge cosplayer and actor, Kal Smith.

Organizers are expecting up to 300 attendees at the expo, which is free and open to anyone, and will be held at the Student Center (Building 3400) and adjacent outdoor areas, depending on the weather.

Said Banks, “The expo is meant to provide positive and teachable experiences, while focusing on creators and nerds of color.”

The first 100 attendees to register for the Black and Brown Nerds Expo at BlackandBrownNerds.com will be entered for an opportunity drawing during the event.