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She and
Lateef collaborated to connect Lateef’s, vision which is to
provide a tangible platform and resource for artists of
color, with the library’s mission to engage all communities,
inspire lifelong learning and provide universal access to a
broad range of information, ideas, and entertainment.
A lifelong
of learning speaks to Lateef’s passion for black comics. He,
like many black comic creators and fans, grew up reading and
watching comic book characters defeat insurmountable foes,
but not connecting their victories with something personally
attainable because they didn’t look like him. The lack of
representation has long been an issue that creators, film
producers and mainstream media have made attempts to address
until about five years ago, when the demand shifted.
In 2014,
Lateef opened an online bookstore, Peep Game Comix. At that
time, there were few websites that sold black comic books
and even fewer where you could get the books instantly.
Researching the market and consulting with other industry
members, he started the website with just a few titles.
Today, he has nearly 300 independent books available. The
relationships he has built with authors, illustrators and
publishers around the world, was the inspiration that lead
to the vision of hosting a comic book festival. Since the
demand for representation is at an all time high, he could
use his platform to be a bridge in the gap of the mainstream
industry, independent comics and the African-American
community.
The
community is why GCBC exists today. Saturday’s event was the
second year people of color could engage in multi-sensory
activities that connected them with real, live heroes.
Hosted by local radio personality and educator Martini Rox,
the festival of arts was filled with activities and forums
covering a wide range of topics. Among special guests,
Toledo native Tereece Clarke led a workshop titled
“Discovering Black Comic Books and Graphic Novels” for young
readers. What made GCBC even more special for her, was
seeing her newly published book, Olivia’s Potty
Adventures, in hard cover for the first time. She
traveled from Columbus with her family to share her book and
experience its debut with Toledoans, signing copies and
sharing photos with guests.
GCBC began
with a panel discussion on “Creating Characters of Color”
featuring Jamar Nicholas of New York, author of Leon:
Protector of the Playground and Micheline Hess of
Philadelphia, and author of Malice in Ovenland.
Together, the pair answered audience questions, giving a
realistic view of indie comics today, what inspired them to
publish and what motivates them to keep creating. Guests
were able to purchase autographed copies of their books, but
the greater value was being able to learn from people of
color who are successful in, not just the comic world, but
also the literary industry as a whole. Nicholas also
conducted a workshop in the library’s state-of-the art
Creative Lab with young aspiring artists.
The
library’s McMaster Theatre streamed the film White
Scripts, Black Supermen throughout the day, and a panel
including Lateef and Darryl McCullough, writer, film
producer and podcaster, was an energetic dialogue between
the creatives and a diverse audience whose questions came
quickly. McCullough’s wit and candor made for lots of laughs
and insightful comments.
“There
were so many opportunities to engage the guests, that the
time passed quickly,” said Lateef, recounting his
experience. He spoke about the young guests, who were
inspired and motivated to create compelling stories while
encouraging reading in a fun way, that he, along with the
other creators, could have easily extended the duration of
the event.
For
creators and artists of all kinds, as long as there is time,
creativity has an opportunity. The Glass City Black Comix
Fest was a place of opportunities; at times, a family
reunion and other times a sounding board for people who had
ideas that needed developing or directing. The library was
the perfect venue for such an event because of the many ways
people could be engaged.
Additional
creative spaces were the large white board display where
seasoned and aspiring artists could leave their mark; a
station to make your own comic strip, and several books were
given away to guests. Books 4 Buddies, an organization
started by a local youth, Touré McCord II, promoting
literacy for boys also participated in the event. Each guest
received a GCBC canvas tote bag to commemorate their
experience and to hold the free books that were given away.
Lateef
looks forward to the next GCBC festival of the arts in 2019,
continuing his desire to build up the African-American
community through comics. To learn more, visit
www.peepgamecomix.com
where comics and graphic novels available for download with
some titles available in print.
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