Embracing the Nerd Within — One Cosplay at a Time

For my first blog post in years I wanted to talk about an experience that really helped me level up understanding and accepting myself & my quirks.

 Last year marked my very first San Diego Comic-Con—and honestly, it was nothing short of transformative. For the first time in a long time, I gave myself full permission to release my most nerdy, passionate self. I stepped into that space with no filters, no reservations, and fully embraced every part of who I am.

Comic-Con wasn’t just an event for me—it was a personal milestone. It was the moment I let go of that quiet voice in the back of my mind that always wondered, “Am I doing too much?” The one that told me to tone it down, to not show how deeply I love the things I love. But this time, I leaned in.

I dove headfirst into the worlds that have shaped me—books, comic books, manga, anime, sci-fi, fantasy—all the things that have fueled my imagination and kept me grounded through different phases of life. Being surrounded by people who celebrate the same passions reminded me that there’s nothing “too much” about being deeply in love with your interests. If anything, that’s where the magic is.

Never Apologize For Being…You

What made it even more special was how freeing it felt. I didn’t feel the need to shrink or edit myself. I wore what I wanted, spoke passionately about what I loved, and moved through the space knowing I belonged—not because I fit some mold, but because I was finally being true to myself.

As a Black man, that kind of freedom—to be soft, expressive, joyful, and unapologetically nerdy—is rare and powerful. For so long, I felt like I had to compartmentalize parts of myself to be taken seriously or seen a certain way. But Comic-Con showed me there’s strength in embracing the full spectrum of who you are.

This experience wasn’t just about cosplay or panels. It was about reclaiming joy. About standing fully in my identity and saying, “This is me. All of me. And I love it here.”

As I reflect on those four unforgettable days surrounded by some of the most incredible people, I remember how warm it felt to be embraced by a community that just got me.

I think about the joy of people coming up to ask for photos—even though I was a Black guy cosplaying a non-Black character. The love was still there. The energy was still real. I can still hear people yelling, “DOCTOR!” as I walked the streets dressed as the 15th Doctor from Doctor Who. Having a Cosplayer dressed as River Song (The Doctors wife) who was also a woman of color cosplaying as one of my favorite female protagonists melted my heart.

I smile when I think back to walking through  a sea of cosplayers Dressed as Straw Hat Luffy —and suddenly hearing, “CAPTAIN… CAPTAIN… CAPTAIN!” A full crew of Straw Hat cosplayers had spotted me in the crowd. They called out to me, wanting to connect, to take pictures, to share a moment. I can’t count the amount of times I had people shouting “THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!” These moment will be forever etched into my heart, they will be a constant reminder of just how amazing the cosplaying community really is. I will always have the deepest love and respect for all of those people who help me embrace the nerd.

Stepping Into My Power: Unapologetically Me

That experience sparked something in me. It gave me permission to stop second-guessing and start showing up even more fully. So going forward, I’m leaning in. I plan to be bolder—not just in my everyday style, but in how I show up in this world of fandoms and creativity. I’m already thinking about my next cosplay, how I can be more involved in the Comic-Con community, and how I can keep pushing the boundaries of self-expression through storytelling and design.

I want to be part of that visibility, especially for other Black nerds and creatives who’ve ever felt like they had to hide parts of themselves to fit in. I want to take up space, collaborate, create, and continue exploring the art of becoming. Because now I know—it’s not about being “too much.” It’s about finally being enough for yourself.

This was just the beginning. From here on out, I’m showing up bigger, louder, and more unapologetically me.