CNSC is proud to note that several of its board members will be participating as panelists at C2E2 2015 this weekend, April 24-26. Here is a list of the five panels featuring CNSC board members over the weekend:

Friday, April 24 Racebending.com Presents Creating Diverse Characters 2:45-3:45pm, Room S403 “Racebending.com presents a diverse array of Novelists, Playwrights, Editors and Comics Authors who have crafted equally diverse characters across those mediums.” CNSC Board Member Michi Trota joins Danny Bernardo, Gabrial Canada, Wesley Chu, Mary Robinette Kowal, Professor Turtel Onli, and Babs Tarr.

Through Brightest Days & Blackest Nights – A Black Nerd Girl’s Journey 5:30-6:30pm, Room S405B “This is no longer Heinlein’s Nerdom. The white-skinned, flowing haired Damsel in Distress is more likely to be the dark-skinned, kinky haired Reluctant Hero. The chiseled, blue-eyed avatar is more likely to have brown eyes and rounded features. As the Geekverse grows, so do representations of black women within it. Unfortunately, black women still face many barriers towards being accepted as “real nerds.” Our discussion will focus on the past, present and future of the black nerd girl and her place in the ‘Verse. This Panel is sponsored in part by the Chicago Nerd Social Club.” With CNSC Board Member Karlyn Meyer joining Keidra Chaney, Jennifer Cross, Tanya DePass and Mikki Kendal.

Saturday, April 25 From the Top Down: Creating Space for Diverse Voices 2:45-3:45pm, Room S403 “The desire for wider representation in geek culture has never been higher, but Artists and Creators aren’t the only ones who bear responsibility for creating more diverse work. This Panel will explore the role of traditional gatekeepers – Editors, Publishers and other media Professionals – in promoting greater visibility for minority Creators and different perspectives, whether you’re creating an anthology, choosing Guests for a Podcast or Panel or searching for new Writers and Artists. Panel sponsored in part by the Chicago Nerd Social Club.” With CNSC Board Members Caitlin Rosberg and Michi Trota joining Aaron Amendola, Kate Lansky, Matthew Peters, and Michael Damian Thomas.

Yellow Fever, Yellow Peril and the Yellow Ranger: Asian Americans in Geek Culture & History 4-5pm, Room S405a “From otaku Fan culture to the myth of the “model minority,” there’s a rising interest in, enthusiasm for and host of assumptions about Asian Americans in geek culture. How have Asian Americans been represented in popular culture? What effect does this have on Creators and Fans? How does one’s ethnic identity affect the art we create and the way we consume it? Join Asian American Comic Writers, Geek Enthusiasts, Bloggers and Musicians for an interactive discussion on Asian Americans in geek history. Panel sponsored in part by the Chicago Nerd Social Club.” CNSC Board Member Michi Trota joins Mary Anne Mohanraj, Dawn Xiana Moon, Kat Tanaka Okopnik, and Wesley Sun.

Sunday, April 26 Fandom, Fun and Frustration 3:45-4:45pm, Room S401 “It’s been a rough year for many geeks and nerds, as fandom can be both a source of both fun and frustration. Our favorite shows and characters can be problematic and our fellow geeks aren’t always as welcoming as we hope. Panelists will discuss how to cope with some of the burn out that comes from merging social awareness with our geeky passions by rediscovering our connections to the fandoms and communities we love, even when the work of making the geek world better becomes frustrating. Panel sponsored in part by the Chicago Nerd Social Club.” With CNSC Board Members Anne Petersen and Michi Trota joining Jennifer Cross, Laura Green, Laura Koroski, and Erin Tipton.

We hope you’ll be able to join us. See you at C2E2!