Ladies’s Historical past Month is a celebration of women from all walks of life, so it was solely proper for us to do a particular “BLERD ALERT!” shoutout in tribute to all of the Black ladies on the market carving out a lane in nerd tradition. Lately, we noticed GRAMMY-nominated singer/actress Janelle Monaé embrace her inside blerd throughout BlerDCon 2025 in Washington, D.C., the place she debuted a brand new graphic novel impressed by the fifteenth anniversary of her 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid.
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Whereas fortunate attendees of her panel have been in a position to obtain superior copies of The ArchAndroid: Chapter 1, evaluations have but to floor leaving a lot thriller surrounding the plot. Nonetheless, given the Afrofuturism and general sci-fi inspo heard on its previous companion album, many are satisfied it will likely be revisiting the “wondaland” of Cindi Mayweather and the numerous suites in her adventures by means of Metropolis. One factor we will see is that paintings will probably be implausible, which Janelle made in collaboration with The ArchAndroid album producer Chuck Lighting and Emmy-winning artwork illustrator Chad Weatherford. Get a preview of what they labored up for the primary concern under:
As we anticipate a wider launch of The ArchAndroid: Chapter 1, it received us considering of the numerous different Black ladies all through popular culture historical past who additionally waved their geek flags for all to see. Gamer ladies, comedian e-book nerds, anime queens and those who merely carry their awkwardness on their sleeves — we love ’em all, and like to see it!
Have a look under at our Ladies’s Historical past Month tribute to a few of our favourite Black ladies in popular culture who by no means have been afraid to get slightly nerdy:
Issa Rae
Though a budding Hollywood siren now, Issa Rae’s introduction to the world was being the textbook millennial blerd in her web-series, Awkward Black Woman. We’ve been geeking out over her ever since.
Megan Thee Stallion
Being a GRAMMY-winning lyricist is spectacular in itself, however Meg actually received the hearts of fanboys in all places along with her genius-level data of anime tradition. The cosplay is a cherry on prime.
Quinta Brunson
It’s nonetheless superb to think about how far Quinta has come since her days of constructing us snigger on the web by merely being “the woman who’s by no means been on a pleasant date.” Blerd ladies in all places may absolutely relate.
Lizzo
Whether or not she’s enjoying a flute, channeling Broadway for her newest single, “Love In Actual Life,” or simply dressing up for enjoyable as a fairy, Lizzo has by no means shied away from sharing each geeky facet of her eccentric character.
Aisha Tyler
As a real OG in each Hollywood and the gaming group, the attraction isn’t exhausting to know by an extended shot.
Amandla Stenberg
As a near-decade approaches in anticipation for a closing chapter within the Niobe graphic novel trilogy, preceded by the revered She Is Life and She Is Dying, we will solely hope Amandla and crew proceed the momentum of an enticing story that will quickly even materialize on HBO if the previously-announced Asunda sequence lastly makes it out of improvement phases.
Jessica Williams
From Incredible Beasts and a couple of Dope Queens to the Entergalactic position as Child Cudi’s animated love curiosity, the ever-comedic Jessica really makes geek look stylish.
Ayo Edebiri
The whole lot you’re keen on about famend favourite actress Ayo Edebiri lies innately in her awkward nature. Whether or not in entrance of the digicam or on a stage cracking jokes, it’s at all times her most noticeably endearing trait.
Chloe Bailey
Singing comes with the territory for Beyoncé-backed vocalist Chloe Bailey, however her well-documented affinity for LEGO-building is unquestionably a unusual bonus to her general model.
Mica Burton
It really runs within the household for cosplaying queen Mica Bunton, who trekked within the footsteps of her dad, LeVar Burton, by enjoying the daughter to his iconic Starfleet officer Geordi La Forge within the latest Picard sequel sequence.
N.Ok. Jemisin
Proudly carrying on the legacy of late blerd pioneer Octavia E. Butler, science fiction author N.Ok. Jemisin is a grasp of the sport. Fittingly sufficient, her precise MasterClass sequence proves it as nicely!
Laya DeLeon Hayes
A brand new age star on the earth of Blerd woman magic, Laya DeLeon Hayes makes use of her voice to blaze a lane within the tradition. Whether or not enjoying a Black feminine vampire hunter within the Buffy The Vampire Slayer audio sequence spinoff, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, or successful big on the 2023 BAFTA Sport Awards for “Greatest Supporting Actress” in her position as Angraboda within the 2022 online game God of Battle: Ragnarök, she’s making some main noise out right here.
Cree Summer season
It’s mind-blowing to recount the numerous, many iconic cartoon characters portrayed by Cree Summers. Discuss concerning the voice of a era!
Debra Wilson
Long gone the times of constructing us cut up with laughter as a forged member on MADtv, Debra Wilson has since transitioned right into a stage of individualism that makes it not possible to recreate her aura. To not point out, she’s develop into a online game legend over a number of titles and gaming platforms.
Willow Smith
You don’t have to know that she’s an avid fan of sci-fi exhibits like Buffy The Vampire Slayer and By way of The Wormhole, or at one level hosted underground Quantum Mechanics lessons primarily based round her love for STEM, to see the of blerd aspect of Willow Smith. Nonetheless, you is perhaps astonishingly stunned at how educated she is relating to articulating that aspect of her character. The deep story in Black Protect Maiden, her 2024 novel impressed by Vikings and Norse mythology, does a very good job at showcasing it.
