OnyxCon

OnyxCon is a pop culture convention that celebrates diversity in popular arts, focusing on the impact, contributions and presence of the African Diaspora in realms of imagination. Organizers of OnyxCon have their main event every summer, typically at the Southwest Arts Center in August. There is also a February event in honor of Black History Month in February or March.

Using “edutainment” OnyxCon showcases the presence of people of color in realms of imagination. OnyxCon vendors present comic books, graphic novels, fictional novels, non-fiction research journals and art books, video games, posters & prints, original art, art exhibits, toys & figures, children’s books, films, TV series and more.

According to the event’s website, the origin of the word Onyx is defined as meaning ‘ring’. Onyx is also associated with the stone of the same name, which features many tones and variations. It is often prized for the variations that are Black. The good energy attributes associated with the stone, the term ‘Black’ as it associates with the culture and vision of the African Diaspora, and the symbolism of a ‘ring’ as a complete circle of networking, learning and influence are the symbolisms associated with the OnyxCon’s mission. Con means to convene, come together or unify for a purpose. Con is short for Convention.

Similar events that inspired OnyxCon include: Philadelphia’s East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) founded by Yumy Odom; the Motor City Black Age of Comics, in Detroit, Michigan, founded by Andre Batts & Urban Style Comics; The Kids Comicon, in the Bronx, New York, founded by Alex Simmons; and the National Black Arts Festival.