National Superhero Day Celebrated At Merriweather Library
By Jewelean Magee
Sunday April 28, 2024 was National Superhero Day and the occasion was celebrated at the Frank E. Merriweather Library. This event was held and sponsored by the African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation on the same day.
Children and adults from the community came to enjoy the games, food, and met “Storm and The Black Panther” from the Marvel Comics, plus a panel discussion presented by Mr. Anthony Pierce.
The focus of this event was and still is important for African American children to see, know and have superheroes that look like them, such as “Luke Cage”, “Black Lightening”, “Spider Gwen” and a host of other African American super heroes.
Mr. Anthony Pierce founder of Black Nerd Culture, the Hidden Valley, and co founder the Wakanda Alliance organization that been going on for 5 years spoke about how the African American culture having science fiction, comic books and programs on Afro futurism for years. Ac cording to Mr. Pierce, ‘No matter who is playing the role of the superhero we can identify with them and other world cultures”.
Ms. Marietta Knight-Bates appeared as “Storm” of the X-Men (Marvel comic book series) and said what “Storm’s” super powers were. Ms. Knight-Bates said that “Storm’s character can control the weather elements when her eyes turn a pearl color. Plus “Storm” is a member of the “Avengers and the “Fantastic Four”.
Mr. Robert Johnson appeared as the “Black Panther” also known as King T Challa of Wakanda of the Marvel comics. The “Black Panther” made his debut in the comics in 1966 as the first Black superhero in the United States.
Finally, the event went on to say that anyone can be a superhero and children should talk to people in the community who are positive role models who have sacrificed a lot to become the educators, veterans, religious leaders, politicians, parents to make life better for us all.
As for this writer, my hero died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday. He continues to do amazing work every day.