The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) is the Philadelphia region's first black comic book convention, bringing together hundreds of comic book, science fiction, and fantasy creators, their colleagues, and their fans. The ECBACC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community-based organization focused on education, literacy and the arts. ECBACC, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Yumy Odom, a multidisciplinary educator, scientist and researcher affiliated with Temple University,[1] and Maurice Waters.[2]
ECBACC is an outgrowth of the "Black Age of Comics", a movement (ca. 1981–present) and era (ca. 1990–1997) dedicated to people of African descent creating a plethora and range of Black (Pan-African/Africentric/Afrocentric/African-centered) characters in the U.S. comic book industry.[1] (The earliest documented "Black Age" comic book character is NOG: Protector of the Pyramids,[3] introduced in 1981 by Chicago-based[3] artist Turtel Onli[2] ["NOG" is an acronym for "Nubian of Greatness."])[citation needed]
ECBACC is generally held on a May weekend in Philadelphia, with festivities kicking off on Friday evening for the Glyph Comics Awards ceremonies (often held at the African American Museum in Philadelphia),[4] followed by a full-day convention on Saturday. The ECBACC STARS Workshop (an acronym for Storytelling That Advances Reading Skills) is an ECBACC initiative designed to use comic book art and imagery as a vehicle to foster creativity and promote literacy, with a secondary focus on introducing participants to the various career options that exist within the comic book industry. ECBACC STARS participants learn what it is like to be comic book creators via the "Create Your Own Hero" exercises while they put their imaginations to work as they pen their own stories for the characters they create. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, ECBACC now features a costume contest.
^ abBroussard, Meredith. "In Full Color: The 2nd Annual East Coast Black Age Of Comics Convention," Sun Reporter (26 June 2003), p. 4.
^ ab"Motor City Black Age of Comics: creators and fans urged to learn together," Michigan Citizen (18 Jan 2009), p. A8.
^ abCaruthers, Chrystal. "Blacks Bring Own Reality to Comics," Chicago Tribune (13 Sep 1993), p. 3.
^Peters, Monica. "Celebrating blacks' work with comics: Two-day convention in Philly," Philadelphia Inquirer (18 May 2012), p. W.28.
The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) is the Philadelphia region's first black comic book convention, bringing together hundreds of comic...
the Wayback Machine ECBACC official website (May 17, 2015). "Glyph Comics Awards :: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention". ecbacc.com. Archived from...
produced by retailer Mike Allwood East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC), Philadelphia (2002–present) – focuses on black creators and characters...
the only person that looks like you." The East Coast Black Age of Comics (ECBACC) closed out its 2016 convention in Amalgam Comics. In 2017, Johnson received...
for his work in 2005 at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC), where he was given the Glyph Comics Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award...
The Philadelphia Inquirer Daily News. "2011 Glyph Comics Awards Winners". ECBACC. Retrieved July 21, 2016. "2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens". Young Adult...
December 22, 2014. Thomas, Pamela (May 19, 2012). "2012 Glyph Comics Awards". ecbacc.com. The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention Incorporated. Archived...
ConCarolinas ConDFW Dallas Comic Con East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) MAGFest MoCCA Festival Phoenix Comicon Supanova Pop Culture Expo, Australia...
2010. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010. Isabella, Tony. "ECBACC". Comics Buyer's Guide. No. 1622. Archived from the original on January...
been held in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Detroit; with Philadelphia's annual ECBACC being the most prominent. Other recent Black Age of Comics conventions were...
(link) "Glyph Comics Awards: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention". ecbacc.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-07-25. "1992...
Frederik L. Schodt 2023 Calvin Reid Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo ECBACC "Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC)". Retrieved November 14, 2019. Cavna...
2013. "Glyph Comics Awards :: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention". Ecbacc.com. Retrieved 2015-07-17. Melrose, Kevin (2015-02-02). "Nominees revealed...
(S.P.A.C.E.) (Northland Performing Arts Center, Columbus, Ohio) May 18: ECBACC (East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention) (Temple University, Philadelphia...
of Comics Convention (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — presentation of the ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award May 21–23: Wizard World East (Philadelphia...
Watt, Athens, Georgia) May 20: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) (TECH Freire Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) June 10–11: Chicago...
Texas Tampa Bay Comic Con, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida July 11: ECBACC (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19;...
Center, Columbus, Ohio) May 19: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) (TECH Freire Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) June 2–3: Chicago...