Hero Nation ‘Presents’ Event

Ypsilanti, MI — Hero Nation, a nonprofit organization that empowers kids through superheroes, comic books and video games, is hosting Hero Nation ‘Presents’ on October 10 at 2 p.m. The free, virtual experience will give audiences an opportunity to hear personal and inspirational stories from young people and artists about discovering strength, agency and community through comic books and video game culture.

“Hero Nation ‘Presents’ will give us the opportunity to tell our story and mission through the voices of young people,” said Jermaine Dickerson, founder and executive director. “We want all who’s watching to be inspired to engage directly with the question: ‘What does it mean to be a hero?’”

Hero Nation ‘Presents’ will be divided into two parts. The first will begin by featuring conversations with three young people — Aaliyah Shakur (8), Darrel Shakur (10), Destiny Houge (13) — as they discuss the impact nerd culture has had on their literacy, self-esteem and creativity.

“I’ve always been into anime, and it has even inspired my own artistry,” Houge said. “When I was approached by Hero Nation to be a part of this project, I was excited and it felt like a fun way to share my story and represent for those who look like me.”

“The kids on our roster are very passionate, talented and powerful young people,” Dickerson said. “From artists to future changemakers, the youth we’ve chosen to highlight are special in so many ways. I believe giving them the platform to share their story and perspective will allow the world to see just how resilient they are.”

It will conclude with the introduction of  the Creator Alliance, a new Hero Nation program for comic creators set to launch in 2021. The inaugural group of creators will include Dorphise Jean, Greg Elysée, John Robinson IV, and Ed Williams — who in a panel discussion at Hero Nation ‘Presents’ will share their own experiences and perspectives about the value of the creative process, especially in times of unrest, insecurity and instability.

Founded in 2017, Hero Nation launched its first initiative that September — Hero Nation Comic-Con. The event welcomed more than 100 attendees and nearly 40 vendors. The organization originally planned on reviving the comic-con for 2020 but chose to postpone to next fall in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While it was an incredibly challenging decision to arrive at, postponing the comic-con provided an opportunity to create Hero Nation ‘Presents’ and amplify the voices of our community, through the brand new Creator Alliance initiative,” Dickerson said. “This is a brand new adventure for us, so I’m most looking forward to seeing how people interact with it.”

Like our Facebook page and tune into our Facebook Watch Party on Saturday, October 10 at 2 p.m. to watch the special premiere of Hero Nation ‘Presents’

About Hero Nation

Hero Nation’s mission is to empower kids through superheroes, comic books and video games. To learn more, visit heronation.org or follow Hero Nation on Facebook (facebook.com/HeroNationOrg), Twitter (twitter.com/heronationorg), and Instagram (instagram.com/heronationorg/).