This past weekend, over 14,000 Blerds gathered at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City for BlerDCon Thrilla 2025, a one-of-a-kind celebration of Black nerd culture that delivered an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, inclusion, and groundbreaking entertainment.
The convention, known for its unique embrace of comic books, video games, science fiction, anime, technology, and more, showcased its commitment to diversity by welcoming fans from all walks of life, including the LGBTQIA community, individuals with disabilities, people of color, and international attendees.
The moment Janelle Monáe stepped on stage and declared, “I’M HOME!”, the crowd erupted, bursting with energy. The 10-time Grammy-nominated artist, award-winning actress, and visionary creative took part in a highly anticipated panel discussion, marking the 15th anniversary of The ArchAndroid. Alongside longtime collaborators Chuck Lightning and Chad Weatherford, Monáe unveiled an exclusive creative expansion of the ArchAndroid universe, making BlerDCon the epicenter of a historic moment for her fans.
From nightly concerts and thrilling cosplay competitions to a comedy show, outdoor entertainment, gaming, and an expansive Food Truck Alley featuring 23 vendors, BlerDCon 2025 was a paradise for attendees. The Founder of BlerDCon, Hilton George told ABC7, “We love creative Nerds of every stripe. This is like a Homecoming where we take the Nerd space and superpose the Black experience over it”. Attendees were treated to a dynamic lineup of tournaments, meet-ups, nightly concerts, film screenings, workshops, and panels, immersing them in the heart of geek culture with an unmistakable Blerd twist.
Entertainment sponsors delivered major surprises, offering attendees exclusive first looks at upcoming films and series, including:
- Trailer for Daredevil: Born Again, streaming now on Disney+
- Advanced screening of Novocaine (Paramount Pictures) – In theaters March 14, 2025
- Trailer for A Working Man (Amazon MGM Studios) – streaming March 28, 2025
- World debut of Iyanu (Lion Forge Entertainment) premiering on Cartoon Network (April 5) and Max (April 6)
- Theatrical release of The Amateur (20th Century Studios) – April 11, 2025
With this year’s event setting new standards for excitement and engagement, fans are already counting down the days until BlerDCon 2026. The theme for next year was revealed at the Closing Ceremony, where over 750 attendees gathered to witness the big announcement: BlerDCon GeekNik Carz + Barz 2026! Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
BlerDCon continues to drive nerd culture, setting the stage for cutting-edge conversations, unforgettable experiences, and a welcoming space for the BlerD community. For more information, visit BlerDCon.com and follow @BlerDCon on social media for updates.
Staff Writer & Media Critic for Big Gold Belt Media: NYC Actress | Twitch Streamer | Artist