midwestbsfa Events, Interviews

Black Fae Day Creator Talks Sankofa Solstice (Sept. 25)

Jasmine La Fleur

We talked to Jasmine La Fleur (aka Halcyon Crowe), the creator of Black Fae Day! This weekend, she and her fae following are celebrating the Sankofa Solstice, the virtual wrap-up event for the 2021 Black Fae Day season.

Midwest BSFA: How did you come up with the idea for #BlackFaeDay and the Sankofa Solstice?
La Fleur: I was scrolling through all the cosplays from #28DaysOfBlackCosplay in February and didn’t want the magic to end. For the last couple of birthdays, I’ve done something special for myself. Over quarantine lockdown I had a “costzoom” party with my family and wanted to replicate that fun. I knew Twitter had the potential to send my dream to many different people, but I had little social media presence. I only knew that the best case scenario would be social media flooding with positive images of Black people in fantasy and fairytale cosplay.

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midwestbsfa cosplay, Events, Interviews

#BIPOCVampDay Creator Interview

Jamila C.

#BIPOCVampDay is Sept. 17-19 and we talked to the creator of the event, Jamila C. of Black Bettie Cosplay.

Midwest BSFA: How’d you get into cosplay? 
J.C.: I have been doing costuming for a long time. I studied it in college and sewed from a young age. I learned that people were dressing up to conventions after I graduated and wanted to continue making costumes as a hobby.

Midwest BSFA: How did you come up with the idea for #BIPOCBVampDay? 
J.C.: I was inspired by the Black Fae Day event this year. As someone absolutely obsessed with vampires since childhood, I’ve always noticed a lack of Black and POC vampires in the media despite the diverse lore that actually exists around the world. Also, I know many BIPOC friends that have experienced backlash for being Black and cosplaying as a vampire. This day is to encourage more representation and showcase all the amazing vampire mythology and characters that do exist but aren’t at the forefront.

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